21 Grams

21 Grams is a 2003 American crime thriller film directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu and written by Guillermo Arriaga. It is the second installment in the duo’s informal “Trilogy of Death,” preceded by Amores perros (2000) and followed by Babel (2006). The film features an ensemble cast including Sean Penn, Naomi Watts, Benicio del Toro, Charlotte Gainsbourg, and Danny Huston. The narrative centers on the emotional and psychological aftermath of a tragic hit-and-run accident, exploring the intersecting lives of a terminally ill mathematician, a grieving mother, and a reformed ex-convict grappling with his faith.

The film employs a nonlinear narrative structure, presenting the characters' past, present, and future in fragmented sequences that gradually converge as the story unfolds. It premiered at the Venice Film Festival before receiving a limited theatrical release in the United States on November 21, 2003, followed by a wider release in early 2004.

21 Grams received generally favorable reviews from critics, who praised Iñárritu’s direction, Arriaga’s screenplay, and the performances of Watts and Del Toro. The film was a moderate box office success, grossing $60.4 million worldwide against a production budget of $20 million. At the 76th Academy Awards, Watts and Del Toro received nominations for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor, respectively.