Trivia

The character of Perdita Durango appeared in Salvaje de corazón (1990), also based on another novel by Barry Gifford, and was played by Isabella Rossellini.

Carlos Bardem and Javier Bardem got badly burnt due to excessive gunpowder and a badly synchronized explosion caused by a special effects technician. Another crew member got second and third degree burns in 80% of his body.

Bigas Luna was first slated to direct the film, and Madonna, Javier Bardem and Dennis Hopper were his first choices to play Perdita, Romeo and Woody Dumas, respectively. Madonna deserted the project and Victoria Abril was supposed to replace her as Perdita, alongside Johnny Depp as Romeo and Ray Liotta as Dumas. Then Luna abandoned the production and Álex de la Iglesia was set to direct with the final cast: Rosie Perez, Javier Bardem again, and James Gandolfini, respectively.

Loosely references the story of Adolfo Constanzo and Sara Aldrete, later fictionalized in Al límite del terror (2007), and faithfully depicted in the documentaries Rituales de Sangre: The True Story Behind the Matamoros Cult Killings (2008), El padrino (2009), and Palo Mayombe (2019).