Charismatic and complex, Sergio Vieira de Mello (Wagner Moura) has spent the majority of his storied career as a top UN diplomat working in the world's most unstable regions, deftly navigating deals with presidents, revolutionaries, and war criminals for the sake of protecting the lives of ordinary people. But just as he readies himself for a simpler life with the woman he loves (Ana de Armas), Sergio takes one last assignment - in Baghdad, newly plunged into chaos following the US invasion. The assignment is meant to be brief, until a bomb blast causes the walls of the UN headquarters to come literally crashing down upon him, setting into motion a gripping life-or-death struggle. Inspired by a true story, SERGIO is a sweeping drama focused on a man pushed to his physical and emotional limits as he's forced to confront his own divisive choices about ambition, family, and his capacity to love.

Production Budget Analysis

What was the production budget for Sergio?

Directed by Greg Barker, with Wagner Moura, Ana de Armas, Garret Dillahunt leading the cast, Sergio was produced by Black Rabbit Media with a confirmed budget of $16,000,000, placing it in the low-budget category for drama films.

At $16,000,000, Sergio was produced on a modest budget. Lower-budget films benefit from reduced break-even thresholds, with profitability achievable at approximately $40,000,000.

Budget Comparison — Similar Productions

• Nobody (2021): Budget $16,000,000 | Gross $57,512,470 → ROI: 259% • Thelma & Louise (1991): Budget $16,000,000 | Gross $45,361,000 → ROI: 184% • 10 Things I Hate About You (1999): Budget $16,000,000 | Gross $53,478,166 → ROI: 234% • Bones and All (2022): Budget $16,000,000 | Gross $15,234,907 → ROI: -5% • The Princess Bride (1987): Budget $16,000,000 | Gross $30,900,000 → ROI: 93%

Key Budget Allocation Categories

▸ Above-the-Line Talent Drama films live or die on the strength of their performances. Securing award-caliber actors and experienced directors represents the single largest budget line item, often consuming 30–40% of the total production budget.

▸ Location Filming & Period Production Design Authentic locations — whether contemporary or historical — require scouting, permits, travel, lodging, and often significant dressing to match the story's time period. Period dramas add the cost of era-accurate props, vehicles, and set decoration.

▸ Post-Production, Color Grading & Score The editorial process for dramas is typically longer than genre films, with careful attention to pacing and tone. Color grading, a nuanced musical score, and detailed sound mixing are critical to achieving the emotional resonance that defines the genre.

Key Production Personnel

CAST: Wagner Moura, Ana de Armas, Garret Dillahunt, Will Dalton, Bradley Whitford Key roles: Wagner Moura as Sérgio Vieira de Mello; Ana de Armas as Carolina Larriera; Garret Dillahunt as Bill Von Zehle; Will Dalton as Andre Valentine

DIRECTOR: Greg Barker CINEMATOGRAPHY: Adrian Teijido MUSIC: Fernando Velázquez EDITING: Claudia Castello PRODUCTION: Black Rabbit Media, Anima Pictures, Desert Motion Pictures, Thai Occidental Productions FILMED IN: Albania, Jordan, Thailand, United States of America

Box Office Performance

Theatrical box office data is not publicly available for Sergio (2020). This may indicate a limited release, direct-to-streaming, or a release predating modern box office tracking.