---
name: "Demián Bichir"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/demian-bichir"
fi1m_id: "demian-bichir"
imdb_id: "nm0065007"
tmdb_id: 76961
wikidata_id: "Q449940"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "1 August 1963"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 9
average_fi1m_score: 62
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 9
updated: "2026-10-03T01:41:11.570963+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Demián Bichir

## Identity

Demián Bichir

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/demian-bichir
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** demian-bichir
- **IMDb ID:** nm0065007
- **TMDB ID:** 76961
- **Wikidata ID:** Q449940
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demi%C3%A1n_Bichir, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q449940, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0065007/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/76961

Actor. Born 1 August 1963 in Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 1 August 1963, Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico
- **Active:** 2005–present
- **Also known as:** Demián Bichir Nájera, Demian Bichir, Damián Bechir , Demián Sandero Bichir Nájera
- **Frequently works with:** [Benicio del Toro](https://film.one/person/benicio-del-toro.md), [David Oyelowo](https://film.one/person/david-oyelowo.md), [Laura Bickford](https://film.one/person/laura-bickford.md), [Peter Buchman](https://film.one/person/peter-buchman.md), [Steven Soderbergh](https://film.one/person/steven-soderbergh.md)
- **Academy Awards:** 1 Oscar nomination
- **Average Fi1m score:** 62, as actor, over 9 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 2000s 75 (3), 2010s 62 (2), 2020s 53 (4)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 62 to 62 across 9 titles
- **Score spread:** 0 at 80+, 6 at 60–79, 3 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 1 of 8 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 5, Science Fiction 3, Adventure 2, History 2, Horror 2, War 2
- **Screen time:** 17 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $1,035m across 6 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demi%C3%A1n_Bichir, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q449940, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0065007/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/76961

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*The Hateful Eight*](https://film.one/film/the-hateful-eight.md) (68)
- **Netflix:** [*Black Phone 2*](https://film.one/film/black-phone-2.md) (64)
- **Peacock:** [*Alien: Covenant*](https://film.one/film/alien-covenant.md) (57)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Demián Bichir

> Demián Bichir is the man at the edge of the frame who looks as though he had a whole life before the film started. Soderbergh knew what to do with that; most American directors since have given him a uniform, a posture and a line or two.

*Che: Part Two* (2008) opens in Havana with Fidel Castro reading a letter aloud, and Castro is Demián Bichir. It is a scene made of one man's voice, and Bichir gives it the ease of a politician who knows the room is his. In *Che: Part One* he does most of the talking while Guevara listens, and he is good and sly at it. Seven years later, in *The Hateful Eight* (2015), he says almost nothing and stirs a stew. Both are the same trick: a man at the side of a scene who looks as though the film could have been about him instead.

He has been at it a long time. He was in Mexican telenovelas from 1977, joined Mexico's National Theatre Company at thirteen, and had a full career in Mexican film and television before Hollywood found a use for him. The use it found, in 2008, was Castro for Steven Soderbergh and a recurring part in *Weeds*. *A Better Life* (2011) put him at the centre for once, as Carlos Galindo, an undocumented gardener. Since then the parts have mostly come in other people's franchises: Lope in *Alien: Covenant* (2017), *The Nun* (2018), Armando in *Black Phone 2* (2025).

The pattern in those films is the same and it is not his fault. In *Covenant* he, Carmen Ejogo and Amy Seimetz make what they can of a line or two each. In *Black Phone 2* he brings a tired decency to Armando, and the film belongs to Gwen. American genre cinema has noticed that Bichir gives a frame some weight and has decided the weight is enough; it hands him a job title and a place to stand and rarely a scene. Quentin Tarantino at least surrounded him with people worth listening to, and let his silence at the stove be a kind of speech.

The film that used him best is the one that gave him most to say. Forty minutes into *Che: Part One* we could not tell Guevara's lieutenants apart, and we could always tell where Castro was. For a stretch we were more interested in him than in the man the film was about, which is not what Soderbergh intended and is a compliment Bichir has been paid too seldom since.

He directed his first feature in 2024. If the studios go on handing him two lines and a long look, he may have to write the third line himself.

## Biography

Demián Bichir is a Mexican actor. Born on 1 August 1963 in Torreón, Coahuila, he comes from a family of performers; his parents are actor Maricruz Nájera and theatre director Alejandro Bichir, and his brothers Odiseo and Bruno are also actors. He began his career in Mexican telenovelas and theatre before moving into film.

Bichir played Fidel Castro in Steven Soderbergh’s *Che: Part One* (2008) and *Che: Part Two* (2008). He received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his role in *A Better Life* (2011). Other credits include *The Hateful Eight* (2015), in which he played Bob, *Alien: Covenant* (2017), *The Nun* (2018) and *Godzilla vs. Kong* (2021). He is set to appear in *Black Phone 2* (2025).

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (9)

- *Black Phone 2* (2025), Fi1m 64, as Armando — [page](https://film.one/film/black-phone-2.md)
- *Without Blood* (2025), Fi1m 43, as Tito — [page](https://film.one/film/without-blood.md)
- *Chaos Walking* (2021), Fi1m 44, as Ben Moore — [page](https://film.one/film/chaos-walking.md)
- *Godzilla vs. Kong* (2021), Fi1m 62, as Walter Simmons — [page](https://film.one/film/godzilla-vs-kong.md)
- *Alien: Covenant* (2017), Fi1m 57, as Lope — [page](https://film.one/film/alien-covenant.md)
- *The Hateful Eight* (2015), Fi1m 68, as Bob — [page](https://film.one/film/the-hateful-eight.md)
- *Che: Part One* (2008), Fi1m 72, as Fidel Castro — [page](https://film.one/film/che-part-one.md)
- *Che: Part Two* (2008), Fi1m 76, as Fidel Castro — [page](https://film.one/film/che-part-two.md)
- *Weeds* (2005), Fi1m 76, as Esteban Carlos Reyes — [page](https://film.one/tv/weeds.md)

## Complete filmography (83)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Diamond* (2026), as Alberto Echevarria
- *Black Phone 2* (2025), as Armando — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/black-phone-2.md)
- *El dentista* (2025), series, as Nolasco Black · Executive Producer
- *Without Blood* (2025), as Tito — Fi1m 43, [page](https://film.one/film/without-blood.md)
- *Desert Angel* (2024), Executive Producer
- *Beacon* (2024), as Ismael · Executive Producer
- *A Circus Tale & A Love Song* (2024), as Refugio · Director, Screenplay
- *Chupa* (2023), as Chava
- *Let the Right One In* (2022), series, as Mark Kane · Producer
- *Godzilla vs. Kong* (2021), as Walter Simmons — Fi1m 62, [page](https://film.one/film/godzilla-vs-kong.md)
- *Chaos Walking* (2021), as Ben Moore — Fi1m 44, [page](https://film.one/film/chaos-walking.md)
- *Land* (2021), as Miguel
- *The Midnight Sky* (2020), as Sanchez
- *Danyka* (2020), as Armando · Producer
- *The Grudge* (2019), as Goodman
- *Grand Hotel* (2019), series, as Santiago Mendoza
- *The Hateful Eight* (2019), series, as Señor Bob
- *The Nun* (2018), as Father Burke
- *Corazón* (2018), as Dr. Mario Garcia
- *Walden: Life in The Woods* (2017), as Ramirez
- *Alien: Covenant - Prologue: Phobos* (2017), as Lope
- *Alien: Covenant* (2017), as Lope — Fi1m 57, [page](https://film.one/film/alien-covenant.md)
- *Lowriders* (2017), as Miguel Alvarez
- *Alien: Covenant – Crew Messages* (2017), as Lopé
- *7:19* (2016), as Fernando Pellicer
- *Good Kids* (2016), as Yaco
- *The Hateful Eight* (2015), as Bob — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/the-hateful-eight.md)
- *Words with Gods* (2014), as Son (ep. "God's Blood - La sangre de Dios")
- *Death in Buenos Aires* (2014), as Chávez
- *Before We Are Forgotten* (2013), Actor
- *Dom Hemingway* (2013), as Mr. Fontaine
- *Machete Kills* (2013), as Mendez
- *The Bridge* (2013), series, as Marco Ruiz
- *The Heat* (2013), as Hale
- *El Santos vs la Tetona Mendoza* (2012), as Cerdo Gutiérrez 3 (voice)
- *Savages* (2012), as Alex
- *Foreverland* (2011), as Salvador
- *The Dream of Ivan* (2011), as Entrenador Torres
- *A Better Life* (2011), as Carlos Riquelme
- *Hidalgo: la historia jamás contada* (2010), as Hidalgo · Co-Producer
- *The Runway* (2010), as Ernesto Cordoba
- *Enemigos íntimos* (2009), Actor
- *Che: Part Two* (2008), as Fidel Castro — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/che-part-two.md)
- *Che: Part One* (2008), as Fidel Castro — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/che-part-one.md)
- *Beyond the Sky* (2007), as Malboro
- *American Visa* (2005), as Professor Mario Alvarez
- *Weeds* (2005), series, as Esteban Carlos Reyes — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/weeds.md)
- *Hipnos* (2004), as Miguel
- *Zapata. Amor en Rebeldía* (2004), series, Actor
- *Heartbreak Hospital* (2002), as Tonio
- *Dark Cities* (2002), as Mario
- *Don't Tempt Me* (2001), as Manny
- *In the Time of the Butterflies* (2001), as Manolo Tavárez
- *La toma de la embajada* (2000), as "Comandante Uno"
- *Gimme Power* (2000), as Gabriel Castro
- *Ave María* (1999), as Daniel Simón
- *Sex, Shame & Tears* (1999), as Tomás
- *Little Saints* (1999), as Cacomixtle
- *Luces de la noche* (1998), as Eduardo (Young)
- *Dance with the Devil* (1997), as Catalina
- *Recipes to Stay Together* (1996), as Carlos Rodríguez
- *Solo* (1996), as Rio
- *Nothing Personal* (1996), series, as Comandante Alfonso Carbajal
- *Salón México* (1996), as Insp. Casteleón
- *Nobody Will Speak of Us When We're Dead* (1995), as Omar
- *Ties of Love* (1995), series, as Valente Segura
- *Test of Love* (1994), as Arturo
- *Hasta Morir* (1994), Actor
- *Ya la hicimos* (1994), Actor
- *Married Life* (1993), as Gaspar
- *Miroslava* (1993), as Ricardo
- *Marea Suave* (1992), Actor
- *Red Dawn* (1990), as Jorge
- *The Penitent* (1988), as Roberto
- *El rincón de los prodigios* (1987), series, as Monchito
- *Hotel Colonial* (1987), as Young Hotel Clerk
- *Astucia* (1986), as Tapatío
- *Viaje al paraíso* (1985), as Chuy
- *Choices of the Heart* (1983), as Armando
- *Vivir enamorada* (1982), series, as Nacho
- *Margot & Rudi*, Actor
- *Hold the Devil*, as Henry Campos
- *Delphi*, series, as Hector Torres

## Gallery

- ![Demián Bichir](https://film.one/media/person/7878/gallery-f5664d443dac.jpg) Demián Bichir — David Shankbone, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1b/Demian_Bichir_2012_Shankbone.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Meredith Stiehm, Demian Bechir, Diane Kruger and Elwood Reid at the 73rd Annual Peabody Awards for "The Bridge" (2014)](https://film.one/media/person/7878/gallery-46f9d330c720.jpg) Meredith Stiehm, Demian Bechir, Diane Kruger and Elwood Reid at the 73rd Annual Peabody Awards for "The Bridge" (2014) — Peabody Awards, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b0/Cast_and_Crew_of_%22The_Bridge%22_May_2014.jpg/1280px-Cast_and_Crew_of_%22The_Bridge%22_May_2014.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Demian Bechir at the 73rd Annual Peabody Awards for "The Bridge" (2014)](https://film.one/media/person/7878/gallery-24b20b6b239d.jpg) Demian Bechir at the 73rd Annual Peabody Awards for "The Bridge" (2014) — Peabody Awards, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/86/Demian_Bechir_%2814281750081%29.jpg/1280px-Demian_Bechir_%2814281750081%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Demian Bechir and Diane Kruger at the 73rd Annual Peabody Awards for "The Bridge" (2014)](https://film.one/media/person/7878/gallery-994714e93998.jpg) Demian Bechir and Diane Kruger at the 73rd Annual Peabody Awards for "The Bridge" (2014) — Peabody Awards, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/25/Demian_Bechir_-_Diane_Kruger_%2814098454230%29.jpg/1280px-Demian_Bechir_-_Diane_Kruger_%2814098454230%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Demián Bichir](https://film.one/media/person/7878/gallery-885b0d4dad70.jpg) Demián Bichir — Image via TMDB
- ![Demián Bichir](https://film.one/media/person/7878/gallery-00d8d4934fc5.jpg) Demián Bichir — Image via TMDB
- ![Demián Bichir](https://film.one/media/person/7878/gallery-5062dd1b3cbe.jpg) Demián Bichir — Image via TMDB
- ![Demian Bechir and Diane Kruger at the 73rd Annual Peabody Awards for "The Bridge" (2014)](https://film.one/media/person/7878/gallery-81bd92c70736.jpg) Demian Bechir and Diane Kruger at the 73rd Annual Peabody Awards for "The Bridge" (2014) — Peabody Awards, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4b/Demian_Bechir_-_Diane_Kruger_%2814281749691%29.jpg/1280px-Demian_Bechir_-_Diane_Kruger_%2814281749691%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Demian Bechir at the 73rd Annual Peabody Awards for "The Bridge" (2014)](https://film.one/media/person/7878/gallery-fff9d1b505e1.jpg) Demian Bechir at the 73rd Annual Peabody Awards for "The Bridge" (2014) — Peabody Awards, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1b/Demian_Bechir_2_%2814285079775%29.jpg/1280px-Demian_Bechir_2_%2814285079775%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Demián Bichir](https://film.one/media/person/7878/gallery-2be68c1d43fa.jpg) Demián Bichir — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated

- 2012: Best Actor (nominated), for *A Better Life*

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/demian-bichir