Once Upon a Time in the Midlands (2003) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Sands recruits El Mariachi because he recognizes his reputation as a skilled assassin who has survived every cartel assassination attempt in Mexico. With Barillo and Marquez plotting to assassinate the President, Sands needs someone with El Mariachi's deadly abilities and local knowledge to eliminate Marquez before the coup succeeds.

• sands recruitment
• el mariachi skills
• cia mission
• marquez target

Barillo wants the President dead because the President is planning to expose his violent past and criminal empire to the people of Culiacan. While Barillo has built a folk hero image by distributing land, the President knows the truth about his crimes and intends to reveal it, threatening Barillo's power and influence.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, the President's advisor Nicholas explains that Barillo has maintained his reputation through propaganda.

• barillo assassination
• president mexico
• political threat
• barillo motive

El Mariachi's wife Carolina and their daughter were murdered by General Marquez during a shootout. Carolina had betrayed Marquez to save El Mariachi's life, and Marquez responded by ambushing and killing both her and their daughter. This tragic loss fuels El Mariachi's relentless hunt for Marquez throughout the film.

Foreshadowing: Bellini recounts this backstory early in the film, establishing the personal stakes.

• el mariachi revenge
• carolina death
• marquez murder
• family killed

Sands orchestrates a conspiracy where the President is assassinated first, which will blame Barillo and Marquez, and then he wants Marquez killed shortly after. This allows Sands to eliminate both the drug lord and the corrupt general while framing them for the presidential assassination, covering his own involvement and settling personal scores.

• sands conspiracy
• marquez elimination
• frame job
• cia plot

El Mariachi defies Sands' orders and protects the President because his true motivation has always been personal vengeance against Marquez, not the political conspiracy. Additionally, by protecting the President, he ensures Marquez will come to the presidential palace to complete the assassination, giving El Mariachi the opportunity for his long-awaited confrontation.

Foreshadowing: The timeline shows El Mariachi defying orders during the Day of the Dead showdown.

• president protection
• el mariachi defiance
• marquez confrontation
• day of dead

Barillo arranges for a lookalike to undergo facial reconstruction surgery that would completely erase his identity. The plan involves having his doppelgänger assume his position, allowing Barillo to escape accountability and potentially resurface under a new identity while maintaining control over his criminal operations.

• barillo doppelganger
• facial surgery
• identity erase
• disguise plan

Ramirez joins because Barillo was responsible for killing his partner. As a former FBI agent tormented by this loss, Ramirez has a personal vendetta against Barillo, making him willing to cooperate with Sands and El Mariachi despite the dangerous nature of the mission.

• ramirez vendetta
• fbi agent
• partner death
• barillo enemy

Billy Chambers, an American fugitive entangled with Barillo, cooperates with Ramirez because he faces moral dilemmas and wants a way out of his corrupt existence. His cooperation presents a desperate chance to take down Barillo and potentially escape his own criminal entanglements.

• billy chambers
• ramirez cooperation
• barillo betrayal
• escape from crime

Sands is captured by Barillo and suffers a fate worse than death, though the specific details are not detailed in the summary. His capture creates a turning point that forces El Mariachi and Ramirez to adjust their plans and rescue him while continuing the mission.

• sands captured
• barillo prison
• sands fate
• capture consequences

After the victory over Barillo and Marquez, El Mariachi chooses to give his share of the spoils back to his village as a symbol of hope and justice. This selfless act reflects his commitment to his community and suggests he seeks redemption rather than personal wealth after a life of violence.

• el mariachi village
• spoils donation
• redemption
• hope ending

Ajedrez struggles because she faces limitations placed on her as a woman in the police force. Despite her commitment to tracking Barillo and supporting the mission, the systemic gender discrimination within the institution hinders her effectiveness and limits her resources.

• ajedrez police
• gender discrimination
• barillo tracking
• obstacles

Barillo has maintained a folk hero image because he distributed land to many people, improving their lives despite his criminal background. The President acknowledges this facade, noting that Barillo has cleverly built public support while concealing his violent past and criminal empire.

Foreshadowing: The President's advisor Nicholas explains this dynamic early in the narrative.

• barillo folk hero
• land distribution
• public image
• criminal reputation