21 Grams is a 2003 American crime thriller film directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu and written by Guillermo Arriaga.[3] It is the second installment in the duo’s informal “Trilogy of Death”, preceded by Amores perros (2000) and followed by Babel (2006).[4] 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.
