Counterattack
A visceral Mexican action-thriller that pulses with the raw tension of survival, painting a portrait of honor forged in the crucible of cartel warfare.
Counterattack
Counterattack

Contraataque

27 February 2025 Mexico 85 min ⭐ 8.3 (750)
Director: Chava Cartas
Cast: Luis Alberti, Noé Hernández, Leonardo Alonso, Luis Curiel, Guillermo Nava
Action Thriller Adventure
Heroism and Sacrifice Justice vs. Revenge Corruption and Betrayal Brotherhood and Camaraderie

Counterattack - Characters & Cast

Character Analysis

Captain Armando Guerrero

Luis Alberti

Archetype: The Hero
Key Trait: Principled

Motivation

Guerrero is driven by a profound sense of duty to protect the innocent and uphold justice. His initial motivation is to save Lucia and Carla, which then evolves into a mission to survive and bring the cartel leader to justice, both for his crimes and for the deaths of his fallen comrades.

Character Arc

Captain Guerrero begins as a respected and principled leader of his unit. Throughout the film, his resolve is tested by betrayal and the loss of his men. His arc is not one of drastic change, but of reaffirming his core values under extreme pressure. He maintains his moral integrity, culminating in his decision to spare Josefo's life in favor of lawful justice, proving that his heroism is defined by principle, not violence.

Josefo 'El Aguijon' Urias

Noé Hernández

Archetype: The Antagonist
Key Trait: Vengeful

Motivation

Initially, Josefo is motivated by the desire to protect his criminal enterprise. After his brother's death, his primary motivation becomes revenge against Captain Guerrero and his unit. There is also a backstory mentioned about their father being killed by a previous generation of special forces, adding another layer to his hatred for soldiers like Guerrero.

Character Arc

Josefo is a ruthless and intelligent cartel leader. His character arc sees him devolve from a calculating criminal to being consumed by a personal vendetta after Guerrero's team kills his brother, Roman. This emotional shift makes him more reckless and ultimately leads to his downfall, as his rage clouds his strategic thinking.

Dámaso 'Tanque'

Leonardo Alonso

Archetype: The Mentor/Veteran
Key Trait: Self-sacrificing

Motivation

Tanque's motivation is rooted in his loyalty to his captain and his comrades. He is committed to the mission and the protection of his team, a dedication that he proves with his life.

Character Arc

Tanque is the experienced veteran of the group. He is a steadfast and loyal soldier who provides a stabilizing presence for the team. His arc culminates in an act of ultimate sacrifice, where he uses a grenade to take out a group of enemy fighters, saving the rest of his team. This act solidifies his legacy as a selfless hero.

Jorge 'Pollo'

Luis Curiel

Archetype: The Rookie
Key Trait: Loyal

Motivation

Pollo is motivated by a desire to prove himself and live up to the standards of his more experienced teammates. He is loyal and courageous, fighting bravely until the very end.

Character Arc

Pollo is the youngest member of the squad, and his impending birthday is a recurring detail. He represents the youth and perhaps a touch of innocence within the hardened group. His arc is tragic, as he is killed in the final confrontation on his birthday, symbolizing the devastating cost of the conflict on the next generation.

Cast

Luis Alberti as Capitán Guerrero
Noé Hernández as Josefo "El Aguijón" Urías
Leonardo Alonso as Tanque
Luis Curiel as Pollo
Guillermo Nava as Toro
David Calderón León as Combo
Mayra Batalla as Lucía
Israel Islas as Román "El Sacristán" Urías
Ishbel Bautista as La Cobra
Frida Jiser as Karla
Mario Alberto Monroy as Tuco
Alberto Ornelas as Maik
Pedro Joaquín as Chucho
Edgar Novoa as Agente Márquez
Guillermo Quintanilla as Coronel Marcelo Díaz