Gael García Bernal is a vengeful shaman-savior in this gory Western, which juxtaposes its lush, Argentine-rain-forest setting with a series of violent standoffs between local farmers and a band of cruel mercenaries intent on taking their land by any means necessary.

Bernal is in fine form as a tattooed jungle-dweller of mysterious origins — has he been summoned by folkloric magic? Why, exactly, is he immune from jaguar attacks? — who joins forces with a young woman (Alice Braga) after her landowner father has been murdered. Director Pablo Fendrik (“The Mugger”) effectively builds tension in one standoff after another, many of which are, compellingly, near-wordless.

After a while, though, the sheer brutality and uncomplicated menace of the thugs is wearying. By the last battle, you may find yourself hoping that at least one person escapes without being macheted to death.