Iconic Quote
“Seize your moment!”
— Ernesto de la Cruz, Coco
What Makes Them Great
Ernesto is the villain who stole the music — literally — and built a legacy on someone else's talent. Bratt's charismatic performance makes the betrayal devastating. His exposure in front of the entire Land of the Dead is one of Pixar's most satisfying villain takedowns.
The Villain
Ernesto de la Cruz is Pixar's most culturally specific villain — a beloved Mexican musician in the Land of the Dead revealed to have murdered his songwriting partner and stolen his music. Benjamin Bratt voices Ernesto with the effortless charisma of a true showman, making the betrayal land harder. The twist recontextualizes the entire film and delivers a message about stolen artistry that resonates across every creative industry.
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