While the first half resembles a Western action thriller, and the second act is bloody horror, Rodriguez holds his feature together by centering it on Seth Gecko and Jacob Fuller.

Another Rodriguez favorite, makeup artist and actor Tom Savini (also well known for his work with horror legend George Romero) is also cool and humorous as a character known simply as Sex Machine, a tough survivor who kills a lot of vampires, and in one scene hilariously tries to hide his arms and teeth after he's bitten by a vampire, and begins transforming.

The way Trejo and Marin, as members of the club argue with Seth over whether or not he can drink at their club provides some funny banter, and when both men transition into vampires, they are even deadlier (while also having hilarious, over-the-top death scenes). Rodriguez favorites Danny Trejo and Cheech Marin (who effectively plays three roles in this film: a border patrolman, a member of the club, and Carlos) also bring their machismo to the film. The most horrifying part is that not only do the survivors in the club have to take down the primary vampires, but then they need to kill those who've been bitten and slaughtered by vampires before they turn. Both families may be different, but each goes through personal conflict, and have to use their humanity to defeat a greater evil. The Geckos are hardened criminals on the run, and the Fullers are a faith-based family grieving over the loss of a mother and wife. The first half is especially crucial as a dramatic thriller (with some comedic moments) in introducing the primary characters (the Gecko brothers and the Fullers) because both families are very different. While Rodriguez's film seems to take on a lot, along with excessive profanity, graphic bloody violence, and sexual content, the director effectively blends the horror, thriller, drama, and comedy genres in one feature.

However, the night takes a horrifying turn and gets bloody when the dancers and workers at the club turn out to be deadly vampires at night, forcing the Geckos, Fullers, and other survivors to set aside their differences and work together to defeat the bloodthirsty villains. Once the Geckos and Fullers make it over to Mexico, they spend the night at a club, where the Gecko brothers are supposed to meet Carlos (Cheech Marin) and other criminals to make their business transactions.

Salma hayek dusk till dawn music list