Rambo: Last Blood#Music

11 years after the events in Burma, John Rambo lives in Bowie, Arizona, at his deceased father's horse ranch, which he manages with his old friend Maria Beltran and her granddaughter Gabriela. Maria informs them that her friend Gizelle has found Gabriela's deadbeat father Manuel in Mexico. Despite their protests, Gabriela secretly travels to Mexico, where Gizelle leads her to Manuel's apartment. When Gabriela asks him why he abandoned her mother, he cruelly reveals that he never cared for them, breaking Gabriela's heart.

Gizelle takes Gabriela to a nearby club, where she is drugged and kidnapped by the enforcers of a Mexican cartel. After learning of Gabriela's disappearance, Rambo rushes to Mexico and interrogates Manuel and Gizelle about Gabriela's whereabouts. Gizelle reluctantly leads Rambo to the club where Gabriela was last seen and Rambo confronts El Flaco, the man who last spoke with Gabriela. A mysterious woman named Carmen Delgado follows Rambo as El Flaco leads him to Gabriela's supposed location. Rambo is confronted, beaten and marked by the cartel, led by brothers Hugo and Victor Martinez. They take his driver's license, revealing the location of the ranch and a photo of Gabriela, whom Victor recognizes. The cartel vows to mistreat Gabriela further due to Rambo's actions.

Carmen takes Rambo back to her home, where she cares for him until he fully recovers. Meanwhile, Gabriela is repeatedly dosed with heroin and sold into sexual slavery. Carmen says she is an independent journalist investigating the Martinez brothers, who were responsible for the death of Carmen's sister. Rambo later raids one of the brothels, killing several men until he finds a drugged Gabriela. While driving home, Rambo thanks Gabriela for giving him hope and meaning for the last 10 years, but she dies from an overdose. An enraged Rambo sends Maria away, rigs the ranch with booby traps for a confrontation, and later returns to Mexico to ask for Carmen's help in finding Victor. Carmen initially refuses, telling Rambo it will solve nothing, but is convinced after he appeals to her grief and frustrations.

Rambo raids Victor's home, kills the guards and decapitates Victor. Hugo leads a group of hitmen to Rambo's ranch, where the hitmen are killed through booby traps. Saving Hugo for last, Rambo uses his bowie knife, cuts his chest open and rips out his heart. In the aftermath, a weakened Rambo sits on the porch of his father's house, vowing to continue fighting and keep the memories of his loved ones alive. During the credits, the flashbacks of Rambo's battles are shown, with Rambo saddling up his horse and riding off into the sunset.

{{main|List of Rambo characters}}

{{cast listing|

• Sylvester Stallone as John Rambo
• Paz Vega as Carmen Delgado
• Sergio Peris-Mencheta as Hugo Martinez
• Adriana Barraza as Maria Beltran
• Yvette Monreal as Gabriela Beltran
• Genie Kim aka Yenah Han as Bar Patron
• Joaquín Cosío as Don Manuel
• Pascacio Lopez as "El Flaco"
• Óscar Jaenada as Victor Martinez
• Fenessa Pineda as Gizelle
• Marco de la O as Manuel
• Rick Zingale as Don Miguel
• Manuel Uriza as Dr. Sergio
• Mirka Prieto as Lola / Laura
• Sheila Shah as Alejandra
• Jessica Madsen as Becky

}}

Louis Mandylor and Aaron Cohen portrayed the Sheriff and State Police Captain in the opening scene of the extended cut, respectively.

In February 2008, Sylvester Stallone revealed that making a fifth film would depend on the success of the fourth film, stating he was "gearing one up" and that it would "be quite different".{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSL02468068 |title=Interview - Stallone challenges Myanmar junta, eyes Rambo 5|access-date=October 4, 2018|first=Michael|last=Winfrey|publisher=Reuters | date=February 2, 2008}} In March 2008, Stallone revealed he was "half-way through" writing Rambo V, stating that it would not be another war movie, with Bulgaria being considered to double as Rambo's home in Arizona.{{cite web |url=http://www.moviehole.net/news/20080310_stallone_halfway_through_writi.html |title=Stallone "half-way through" writing Rambo 5 |access-date=October 4, 2018 |publisher=Moviehole.net |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080313155558/http://www.moviehole.net/news/20080310_stallone_halfway_through_writi.html |archive-date=March 13, 2008 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.moviehole.net/news/20080320_rambo_5_to_film_in_bulgaria.html |title=Rambo 5 to film in Bulgaria |access-date=May 9, 2008 |publisher=Moviehole.net |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080323173248/http://www.moviehole.net/news/20080320_rambo_5_to_film_in_bulgaria.html |archive-date=March 23, 2008 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.moviehole.net/news/20080322_rambo_will_return_to_america.html |title=Rambo will return to America! |access-date=May 9, 2008 |publisher=Moviehole.net |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080326131659/http://www.moviehole.net/news/20080322_rambo_will_return_to_america.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 26, 2008 }} In February 2009, Stallone revealed that he was proceeding with the fifth film, but stated, "The conflict is whether to do it in America or a foreign country."{{cite web|url=https://uk.ign.com/articles/2009/02/02/stallone-plans-rambo-5|title=Stallone Plans Rambo 5|first=Orlando|last=Parfitt|work=IGN|date=February 2, 2009|access-date=October 4, 2018}}

In August 2009, Millennium Films greenlit the film with Stallone writing, directing, and starring. At that time, the plot focused on Rambo battling human traffickers and drug lords to rescue a young girl abducted near the U.S.–Mexico border.{{cite web|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/58542-rambo-5-gets-the-green-light|title=Rambo 5 Gets the Green Light|first=|last=|date=August 31, 2009|work=ComingSoon.net|access-date=May 26, 2019|url-status=live|archive-date=August 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813010041/https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/58542-rambo-5-gets-the-green-light}} {{anchor|The Savage Hunt}}In September 2009, Stallone revealed that the film was titled Rambo V: The Savage Hunt, and would instead be loosely based on the novel Hunter by James Byron Huggins. The plot was reconceptualized to focus on Rambo leading an elite special forces kill team to hunt and kill a genetically engineered creature.{{cite web|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/more-details-on-rambo-5-the-savage-hunt-creature-feature-based-on-the-sci-fi-book-hunter/|title=More Details on Rambo 5: The Savage Hunt - Creature Feature Based on the Sci-Fi Book Hunter|first=Hunter|last=Stephenson|work=SlashFilm|date=September 6, 2009|access-date=October 2, 2018}} Nu Image/Millennium Films released a concept art poster, and official synopsis for The Savage Hunt.{{cite web|url=https://www.filmofilia.com/rambo-5-the-savage-hunt-10941/|title=Rambo 5: The Savage Hunt|first=Allan|last=Ford|work=Filmofilia|date=September 8, 2009|access-date=October 4, 2018}} By November 2009 however, the plot had reverted to the story written by Stallone, involving Rambo crossing the Mexican border to rescue a girl who had been kidnapped.{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/rambo-5-script-change-mexico-plot/|title=Is Rambo 5 Heading Back To Mexico?|first=Kofi|last=Outlaw|work=Screen Rant|date=November 12, 2009|access-date=October 4, 2018}}

In May 2010, Stallone revealed he was "done" with the character, stating, "I think Rambo's pretty well done. I don't think there'll be any more. I'm about 99% sure I was going to do it ... but I feel that with Rocky Balboa, that character came complete circle. He went home. But for Rambo to go on another adventure might be, I think, misinterpreted as a mercenary gesture and not necessary. I don't want that to happen."{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/sylvester-stallone-retires-rambo-wont-pursue-fifth-installment/|title=Sylvester Stallone Retires Rambo, Won't Pursue Fifth Installment|first=Josh|last=Wigler|work=CBR|date=May 3, 2010|access-date=October 4, 2018}} At the 2010 Cannes Film Festival, Millennium Films and Nu Image advertised the film, now titled Rambo V, with handout poster cards.{{cite web |access-date=May 26, 2019 |archive-date=October 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181012053938/http://www.worstpreviews.com/headline.php?id=17692&count=0 |title=Why is |url=http://www.worstpreviews.com/headline.php?id=17692&count=0 |url-status=dead |website=worstpreviews.com}} Despite this, Stallone stated that he wasn't involved with the created posters and that the studio had told him that if he doesn't make the film they'll find someone else to complete it. He stated he wanted the franchise to end, and expressed being comfortable with the idea.{{cite web|url=http://legacy.aintitcool.com/node/45076|title=So Sylvester Stallone just called|last=headgeek|website=Aint It Cool News|access-date=May 26, 2019}}

{{Anchor|Rambo: Last Stand|Last Stand}}In 2011, Sean Hood was hired to write a new script titled Rambo: Last Stand, which he described as "more in line with the small-town thriller of First Blood".{{cite web|url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/new-screenplay-rambo-5/|title=New Screenplay For Rambo 5|first=Owen|last=Williams|work=Empire|date=August 19, 2011|access-date=October 2, 2018|url-status=live|archive-date=April 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402011517/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/new-screenplay-rambo-5/}} In 2012, Hood revealed that Rambo V had been put on hold in order for Stallone to finish The Expendables 2. Hood also revealed his uncertainty on whether the film would be similar to Unforgiven or a "passing-of-the-torch".{{cite web|url=https://www.joblo.com/horror-movies/news/sean-hood-finally-gives-an-update-on-the-state-of-rambo-5|title=Sean Hood Finally Gives an Update on the State of Rambo 5|first=Marcey|last=Papandrea|work=Joblo|date=February 10, 2012|access-date=October 2, 2018}} In August 2013, it was announced that Entertainment One and Nu Image would develop and produce a Rambo TV series with Stallone.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/sylvester-stallone-talks-rambo-tv-611150|title=Sylvester Stallone In Talks For 'Rambo' TV Series|first=Etan|last=Vlessing|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=August 21, 2013|access-date=October 4, 2018}} In June 2014, German film company Splendid Films confirmed that Stallone had started writing the script for Rambo V, which he described as similar to No Country for Old Men.{{cite web|url=https://theplaylist.net/no-country-for-old-men-esque-rambo-v-reportedly-on-the-way-20140623/|title='No Country for Old Men'-Esque 'Rambo V' Reportedly On The Way|first=Kevin|last=Jagernauth|work=The Playlist |date=June 23, 2014|access-date=August 27, 2021|url-status=live|archive-date=August 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828030403/https://theplaylist.net/no-country-for-old-men-esque-rambo-v-reportedly-on-the-way-20140623/}} In September 2014, the film was officially titled Rambo: Last Blood, with Stallone also serving as director.{{cite web|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/122801-sylvester-stallone-targets-one-last-battle-with-rambo-last-blood|title=Sylvester Stallone Targets One Last Battle with Rambo: Last Blood|first=Silas|last=Lesnick|work=Coming Soon|date=September 10, 2014|access-date=October 4, 2018}}

In 2015, Stallone and Rambo creator/author David Morrell re-wrote the story for Rambo V. Stallone wanted a "soulful journey" for the character that the author described as a "really emotional, powerful story". Stallone pitched the idea to the producers, but they wanted to proceed with the human trafficking story instead, leaving Stallone and Morrell's script abandoned.{{cite web|url=https://www.culturecreature.com/david-morrell-interview-rambo/|title='Rambo' Creator David Morrell Discusses His Journey With A Cinematic Icon|first=Dan|last=Redding|work=Culture Creature|date=October 29, 2018|access-date=October 29, 2018}} In October 2015, Stallone expressed interest in a prequel project, stating: "It's intriguing to find the whys and wherefores of how people have become what they are. The traumas, the loss, and the tragedy of being in Vietnam would certainly be a great challenge for a young actor, and it would be ironic that Rambo directs younger Rambo having played it for twenty years plus."{{cite web|url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/stallone-ponders-rambo-prequel/|title=Stallone Ponders Rambo Prequel|first=Owen|last=Williams|work=Empire|date=October 8, 2015|access-date=October 4, 2018}} By January 2016, Stallone stated that Rambo V would not enter production.{{cite web|work=Variety|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/sylvester-stallone-retiring-rambo-1201672291/|title=Sylvester Stallone Is Retiring From Playing Rambo|author=Setoodeh, Ramin|date=January 5, 2016}}

In May 2018, the film was re-announced to be in development initially as Rambo V, with principal photography scheduled for September. The plot was confirmed to focus on Rambo combating a Mexican drug cartel following their abduction of one of his family members.{{cite news|last=Kay|first=Jeremy|url=https://www.screendaily.com/sylvester-stallone-lining-up-rambo-v-exclusive/5128882.article|title=Sylvester Stallone lining up 'Rambo V' (exclusive)|publisher=Screen Daily|date=May 5, 2018|access-date=May 8, 2018}} Stallone announced the release date for the film, which he would also be co-writing with Matthew Cirulnick. At that time, he expressed uncertainty in additionally serving as director.{{cite web|last=Wiseman|first=Andrew|work=Deadline|url=https://deadline.com/2018/05/sylvester-stallone-in-line-to-take-on-mexican-cartel-in-rambo-5-1202383468/|title=Sylvester Stallone In Line To Take on Mexican Cartel in Rambo 5|date=May 5, 2018|access-date=May 7, 2018|url-status=live|archive-date=February 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214104758/https://deadline.com/2018/05/sylvester-stallone-in-line-to-take-on-mexican-cartel-in-rambo-5-1202383468/}}{{cite news|last=Gilyadov|first=Alex|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/05/08/rambo-5-reportedly-in-the-works-with-sylvester-stallone|title=Rambo 5 Confirmed by Stallone, Coming Fall 2019|website=IGN|date=May 8, 2018|access-date=May 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509082229/https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/05/08/rambo-5-reportedly-in-the-works-with-sylvester-stallone|archive-date=May 9, 2018}} In August 2018, Adrian Grünberg was announced as the director.{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/rambo-5-director/|title=Rambo 5 Reportedly Recruits Get the Gringo Director|first=David|last=Stephens|work=Screen Rant|date=August 18, 2018|access-date=October 2, 2018}} In September 2018, Adriana Barraza was added to the cast.{{cite web|url=http://esdiario.com.mx/?p=215591|title=Adriana Barraza se prepara para Rambo V|website=Esdiario.com.mx|access-date=May 26, 2019|archive-date=April 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402030608/http://esdiario.com.mx/?p=215591|url-status=dead}} In October 2018, Paz Vega,{{cite web|last=Mia|first=Galuppo|work=The Hollywood Reporter|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/rambo-5-paz-vega-star-opposite-sylvester-stallone-1149003|title='Rambo 5': Paz Vega to Star Opposite Sylvester Stallone|date=October 8, 2018|access-date=October 8, 2018}} Yvette Monreal,{{cite news|last=Galuppo|first=Mia|title=Sylvester Stallone's 'Rambo 5' Adds Yvette Monreal (Exclusive)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/rambo-5-casts-yvette-monreal-1151099|access-date=October 10, 2018|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=October 10, 2018|language=en}} Sergio Peris-Mencheta,{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/10/rambo-5-sergio-peris-mencheta-cast-villain-1202480258/|title='Rambo 5' Finds Its Bad Guy In 'Snowfall's Sergio Peris-Mencheta|first=Patrick|last=Hipes|work=Deadline|date=October 10, 2018|access-date=October 11, 2018}} Óscar Jaenada, and Joaquín Cosío{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/10/sylvester-stallone-rambo-last-blood-oscar-jaenada-1202488090/|title=Sylvester Stallone's 'Rambo: Last Blood' Adds Oscar Jaenada|work=Deadline|first=Amanda|last=N'Duka|date=October 23, 2018|access-date=October 28, 2018}} were cast. In May 2019, Louis Mandylor, Sheila Shah, Dimitri Vegas, and Genie Kim (aka Yenah Han) were revealed to have been cast without prior announcement.{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/rambo-5-trailer/|title='Rambo: Last Blood': First Trailer Reveals John Rambo's Last Ride|first=Dave|last=Trumbore|date=May 30, 2019|website=Collider.com|access-date=May 30, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.geekalerts.com/rambo-last-blood-teaser-trailer/|title=Rambo: Last Blood – Teaser Trailer|first=Ryan|last=Cooper|work=Geek Alerts|date=May 30, 2019|access-date=May 30, 2019|url-status=live|archive-date=May 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530220856/https://www.geekalerts.com/rambo-last-blood-teaser-trailer/}}{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/music/news/dimitri-vegas-rambo-v-last-blood-sylvester-stallone-1203219408/|title=Dimitri Vegas Talks 'Rambo V: Last Blood' Role, Working With Sylvester Stallone|first=Shirley|last=Halperin|work=Variety|date=May 19, 2019|access-date=June 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-date=June 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190601212919/https://variety.com/2019/music/news/dimitri-vegas-rambo-v-last-blood-sylvester-stallone-1203219408/}}

Principal photography began on October 2, 2018 in Bulgaria.{{cite news|last=Alan Orange|first=B.|title=Stallone Returns in First Rambo 5 Set Photos as a Badass Cowboy|url=https://movieweb.com/rambo-5-set-photos-sylvester-stallone-cowboy/|access-date=October 3, 2018|work=MovieWeb|date=October 2, 2018}}{{cite news|last=N'Duka|first=Amanda|title='Rambo': Sylvester Stallone Offers First Look At The Fifth Installment|url=https://deadline.com/2018/10/rambo-sylvester-stallone-offer-first-look-photos-rambo-5-1202475306/|access-date=October 3, 2018|work=Deadline|date=October 3, 2018}} It was previously scheduled to begin on September 1, 2018,{{cite news|last=Kay|first=Jeremy|title=Sylvester Stallone lining up 'Rambo V' (exclusive)|url=https://www.screendaily.com/sylvester-stallone-lining-up-rambo-v-exclusive/5128882.article|access-date=May 7, 2018|work=Screen|date=May 6, 2018|language=en}}{{cite news|last=Wiseman|first=Andreas|title=Sylvester Stallone In Line To Take On Mexican Cartel In 'Rambo 5'|url=https://deadline.com/2018/05/sylvester-stallone-in-line-to-take-on-mexican-cartel-in-rambo-5-1202383468/|access-date=May 29, 2018|work=Deadline|date=May 5, 2018}} and before that on October 27, 2014, in Shreveport, Louisiana.{{cite news|last=Scott|first=Mike|title=Sylvester Stallone's 'Rambo 5' to shoot in Louisiana next month|url=http://www.nola.com/movies/index.ssf/2014/09/sylvester_stallones_rambo_5_to.html|access-date=September 16, 2014|publisher=nola.com|date=September 8, 2014}}{{cite news|last=A.|first=Jonathan|title='Rambo 5′ Starring Sylvester Stallone Now Hiring Crew Members in Louisiana|url=http://www.projectcasting.com/casting-calls-and-auditions/rambo-5-starring-sylvester-stallone-now-hiring-crew-members-in-louisiana/|access-date=October 28, 2014|publisher=projectcasting.com|date=September 12, 2014|archive-date=November 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102004430/http://www.projectcasting.com/casting-calls-and-auditions/rambo-5-starring-sylvester-stallone-now-hiring-crew-members-in-louisiana/|url-status=dead}} Barraza filmed her scenes in Tenerife (Canary Islands). Principal photography was completed on December 4, 2018.{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/sylvester-stallone-rambo-5-wrap-filming/|title=Rambo 5: Sylvester Stallone Wraps Filming|first=Padraig|last=Cotter|work=Screen Rant|date=December 4, 2018|access-date=December 9, 2018}} Additional photography took place at the end of May 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://kanal3.bg/news/98093-Staloun-razmaha-za-posledno-yumruci-v-Kan-predi-+balgarskiya+-Rambo-V%253A-Posledna-krav-%2528SNIMKI%2529|title=Сталоун размаха за последно юмруци в Кан преди|website=kanal3.bg|access-date=December 8, 2020|archive-date=May 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526115936/https://kanal3.bg/news/98093-Staloun-razmaha-za-posledno-yumruci-v-Kan-predi-+balgarskiya+-Rambo-V%253A-Posledna-krav-%2528SNIMKI%2529|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.24chasa.bg/ojivlenie/article/7469992|title=Силвестър Сталоун идва в България, за да презаснеме "Рамбо V"|website=www.24chasa.bg|date=May 25, 2019 }}

{{Infobox album

| name = Rambo: Last Blood (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

| type = Film

| artist = Brian Tyler

| released = September 20, 2019

| recorded =

| venue =

| studio = Slovak Radio Concert Hall

| genre =

| length = 75:03

| label = Lakeshore

| producer =

• Brian Tyler
• Joe Lisanti

| prev_title = Ready or Not: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

| prev_year = 2019

| next_title = Charlie's Angels: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

| next_year = 2019

}}

Brian Tyler, who composed for Stallone on Rambo and The Expendables trilogy, returned to score Rambo: Last Blood. Tyler shared his scoring process with Dread Central:

Rambo: Last Blood is a very emotional story and the music needed to reflect the tone that the director, Adrian Grunberg, set so beautifully. I wrote a series of heartfelt and passionate themes that echo Rambo's yearning for family, justice, requital, and compassion. These ideas created a tonal tension that was both challenging and rewarding as a composer. Lush strings, massive brass, thunderous percussion, delicate piano, and harrowing trumpet duets echoed the themes of loss, regret, hope, and vengeance. It has been an incredible ride composing for this timeless character.{{cite web|last=Barkan|first=Jonathan|title=Exclusive: Brian Tyler's RAMBO: LAST BLOOD Soundtrack Evokes "Dusk"|url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/311085/exclusive-brian-tylers-rambo-last-blood-soundtrack-evokes-dusk/|publisher=Dread Central|date=September 19, 2019|access-date=September 21, 2019}}

{{Clear}}

{{Track listing

| title1 = Rambo: Last Blood

| length1 = 2:55

| title2 = The Ranch

| length2 = 3:11

| title3 = Dusk

| length3 = 2:36

| title4 = Unmistakable

| length4 = 3:17

| title5 = Sorrow

| length5 = 2:07

| title6 = Vengeance Eternal

| length6 = 2:31

| title7 = Homeward Bound

| length7 = 3:20

| title8 = Fatalism

| length8 = 3:11

| title9 = Destination

| length9 = 3:35

| title10 = John and Gabrielle

| length10 = 5:01

| title11 = Rescue at Night

| length11 = 4:25

| title12 = Concussed

| length12 = 3:27

| title13 = Blood and Fire

| length13 = 4:02

| title14 = Outnumbered

| length14 = 6:15

| title15 = Love Unconditional

| length15 = 3:12

| title16 = U-Turn

| length16 = 2:35

| title17 = Because of You

| length17 = 3:49

| title18 = They Will Come Back

| length18 = 2:02

| title19 = We Will Find Him

| length19 = 5:17

| title20 = The Tunnels

| length20 = 1:02

| title21 = Higher Aspirations

| length21 = 1:41

| title22 = Preparing for War

| length22 = 3:01

| title23 = Sunset

| length23 = 2:30

}}

In May 2018, Millennium Films brought the project to Cannes to generate interest and sales. Stallone verified that he would share images and videos from the film's set on his Instagram as the film approached its release.{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/rambo-5-last-blood-release-date-trailer-story/|title=Everything You Need To Know About Rambo V: Last Blood|first=Padraig|last=Cotter|work=Screen Rant|date=January 22, 2019|access-date=February 14, 2019|archive-date=February 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214103601/https://screenrant.com/rambo-5-last-blood-release-date-trailer-story/}}{{cite news |title=Sylvester Stallone tries to 'escape' camera crew on Rambo 5 film set|url=https://filmindustry.network/sylvester-stallone-tries-to-escape-camera-crew-on-rambo-5-film-set/34143 |publisher=Film Industry Network |date=March 3, 2019}} In February 2019, Stallone revealed images on his Instagram of Rambo's adopted family,{{cite web|url=https://wegotthiscovered.com/movies/rambo-v-last-blood-set-photos-show-sylvester-stallone-opposite-new-costars/|title=Rambo V: Last Blood Set Pics Reveal Stallone's New Co-Stars|first=David|last=Pountain|work=We Got This Covered|date=February 4, 2019|access-date=February 14, 2019|archive-date=February 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214104024/https://wegotthiscovered.com/movies/rambo-v-last-blood-set-photos-show-sylvester-stallone-opposite-new-costars/}} combat history,{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/rambo-5-photos-sylvester-stallone-backstory/|title=New Rambo V: Last Blood Photos Reveal His Combat History|first=Padraig|last=Cotter|work=Screen Rant|date=February 12, 2019|access-date=February 14, 2019|url-status=live|archive-date=February 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214104226/https://screenrant.com/rambo-5-photos-sylvester-stallone-backstory/}} and the character Gabriela's intentions to travel to Mexico to find her father.{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/rambo-5-last-blood-photos-stallone-plot-details/|title=New Rambo V: Last Blood Images Set Up Rescue Mission Storyline|first=Padraig|last=Cotter|work=Screen Rant|date=February 22, 2019|access-date=February 22, 2019}} In March 2019, Stallone revealed via his Instagram an image of Rambo covered in blood and aiming his signature bow.{{cite web|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2468309/sylvester-stallone-is-bloody-and-packing-heat-in-new-rambo-last-blood-image|title=Sylvester Stallone Is Bloody And Packing Heat In New Rambo: Last Blood Image|first=Dirk|last=Libbey|work=Cinema Blend|date=March 13, 2019|access-date=March 15, 2019}}

In May 2019, it was revealed that Stallone will present exclusive images at Cannes to coincide with a special "first-look" screening of the film at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès on May 24, 2019.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/sylvester-stallone-rambo-v-cannes-1203209019/|title=Sylvester Stallone to Share First Look at 'Rambo V' at Cannes Film Festival|first=Jordan|last=Moreau|work=Variety|date=May 8, 2019|access-date=May 9, 2019|url-status=live|archive-date=May 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509075932/https://variety.com/2019/film/news/sylvester-stallone-rambo-v-cannes-1203209019/}} The first trailer was revealed at Cannes on May 24, 2019.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/05/rambo-v-trailer-sylvester-stallone-cannes-tribute-1202622056/|title=Sylvester Stallone Unveils 'Rambo V' Trailer At Cannes Tribute & Remembers How 'First Blood' Changed His Life|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|work=Deadline|date=May 24, 2019|access-date=May 26, 2019|url-status=live|archive-date=May 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526195445/https://deadline.com/2019/05/rambo-v-trailer-sylvester-stallone-cannes-tribute-1202622056/}} The teaser trailer was released on May 30, 2019{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/rambo-v-last-blood-trailer-sylvester-stallone-faces-his-past-watch-1214376|title=John Rambo Faces His Past in First Trailer For 'Last Blood'|first=Ryan|last=Parker|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=May 30, 2019|access-date=May 30, 2019|url-status=live|archive-date=May 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530194842/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/rambo-v-last-blood-trailer-sylvester-stallone-faces-his-past-watch-1214376}} and drew comparisons to Logan and Unforgiven.{{Cite web|url=https://www.comicsbeat.com/rambo-returns-in-rambo-last-blood-trailer/|title=Syndicated Comics|first=Hussein|last=Wasiti|date=May 31, 2019}} A remixed version of the song "Old Town Road" was used for the teaser.{{cite web|url=https://www.thefader.com/2019/05/30/rambo-last-blood-trailer-old-town-road-mass-murder|title=The Rambo: Last Blood trailer features "Old Town Road," mass murder|first=Jordan|last=Darville|work=The Fader|date=May 30, 2019|access-date=August 11, 2019|url-status=live|archive-date=August 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190811215017/https://www.thefader.com/2019/05/30/rambo-last-blood-trailer-old-town-road-mass-murder}} On August 1, 2019, Stallone revealed the theatrical release poster on his Instagram.{{cite web|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/1088265-check-out-a-new-poster-for-rambo-last-blood|title=New Poster for Rambo: Last Blood Flexes Its Muscles|first=Jeff|last=Ames|work=Comingsoon.net|date=August 1, 2019|access-date=August 2, 2019|url-status=live|archive-date=August 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190802090244/https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/1088265-check-out-a-new-poster-for-rambo-last-blood}} On August 20, 2019, Stallone released the second trailer on his Instagram.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/sylvester-stallone-drops-intense-new-rambo-last-blood-trailer-1233221|title=Sylvester Stallone Drops Intense New 'Rambo: Last Blood' Trailer|first=Ryan|last=Parker|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=August 20, 2019|access-date=August 21, 2019|url-status=live|archive-date=August 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190820183843/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/sylvester-stallone-drops-intense-new-rambo-last-blood-trailer-1233221}} On September 4, 2019, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema announced it would host a marathon of all five Rambo films to commemorate the release of Rambo: Last Blood.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/rambo-marathon-coming-alamo-drafthouse-1236671|title='Rambo' Marathon Coming to Alamo Drafthouse|author=Aaron Couch|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=September 4, 2019|access-date=September 7, 2019|url-status=live|archive-date=September 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190908060058/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/rambo-marathon-coming-alamo-drafthouse-1236671}} Deadline Hollywood reported that P&A costs were under $30 million.

Rambo: Last Blood was released theatrically in the United States on September 20, 2019.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/02/rambo-last-blood-release-date-sylvester-stallone-paz-vega-lionsgate-1202567293/|title='Rambo: Last Blood' Will Be Spilled In September Via Lionsgate|first=Erik|last=Pedersen|work=Deadline|date=February 28, 2019|access-date=February 28, 2019|archive-date=March 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190301041816/https://deadline.com/2019/02/rambo-last-blood-release-date-sylvester-stallone-paz-vega-lionsgate-1202567293/|url-status=live}} Dadi purchased the Chinese distribution rights and agreed to an eight-figure co-financing deal.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/05/the-expendables-4-sylvester-stallone-rambo-5-china-millenium-avi-lerner-dadi-1202395134/|title='The Expendables 4' Muscles Up: Sylvester Stallone Action Pic & 'Rambo 5' Sell To China In Eight-Figure Co-Fi Deal|first=Andreas|last=Wiseman|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=May 21, 2018|access-date=April 22, 2019|url-status=live|archive-date=April 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423013848/https://deadline.com/2018/05/the-expendables-4-sylvester-stallone-rambo-5-china-millenium-avi-lerner-dadi-1202395134/}} On July 30, 2019, the MPAA assigned the film an R rating.{{cite web|url=https://www.joblo.com/movie-news/stallones-rambo-last-blood-to-receive-a-glorious-hard-r-rating|title=Stallone's Rambo: Last Blood to receive a glorious hard R rating|first=Steve|last=Seigh|work=Joblo|date=July 30, 2019|access-date=July 30, 2019|url-status=live|archive-date=July 31, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190731052335/https://www.joblo.com/movie-news/stallones-rambo-last-blood-to-receive-a-glorious-hard-r-rating}} The British Board of Film Classification classified the film at 18.{{cite web | url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/rambo-last-blood-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc00otc2mzi | title=Rambo: Last Blood }} The film was released theatrically in Japan on June 26, 2020 by Gaga Corporation.{{Cite web|url=https://eiga.com/movie/91852/|title=ランボー ラスト・ブラッド|publisher=Eiga|access-date=July 27, 2020}}

Lionsgate released two different theatrical cuts of Rambo: Last Blood, varying by country. In the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada, the film runs 89 minutes; in Australia, Mexico, Sweden, Brazil, Finland, Germany,{{cite web|url=https://www.moviepilot.de/news/rambo-5-gekurzt-die-deutsche-fassung-ist-12-minuten-langer-als-in-den-usa-1121498|title=Rambo 5 gekürzt: Die deutsche Fassung ist 12 Minuten länger (!) als in den USA|work=Movie Pilot|date=September 26, 2019 |access-date=July 26, 2020}} and Japan, it runs 101 minutes. The latter version contains several deleted scenes and an alternate opening, which runs approximately 10 minutes:

It starts in a rainstorm in the middle of a rescue: 3 missing hikers in danger of getting caught in a flood. The police say they have to stop the search as it's getting too dangerous and ask where the volunteer on horseback is. We are then introduced to Rambo in the woods tracking the hikers, he finds a girl dead and then further down finds the other two. He's trying to get them out but one guy won't leave without his wife. Rambo tells him she's dead but he runs off, the flood water starts running down and Rambo ties himself and the girl to a rock while the initial rush of water cascades over them. He then returns to the base with the girl and sees the guy who ran off getting his body bag loaded into an ambulance which triggers his PTSD, the girl thanks him and Rambo returns home and has a conversation with the old lady living in the house about when he returned and how his father used to sit in the rocking chair outside.

He then goes into the tunnels upset about the events and puts a CD on (The Doors). … When he has PTSD flashbacks in the tunnels it is intercut with the dead hiker.{{cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3585147/10-minute-sequence-cut-rambo-last-blood-release-us-uk-canada/|title=This 10-Minute Sequence Was Cut from 'Rambo: Last Blood' for Its Release in the US, UK and Canada|first=John|last=Squires|work=Bloody Disgusting|date=September 23, 2019|access-date=September 23, 2019}}

After the alternate opening, the film cuts to Rambo on his ranch, as it begins in select North American countries and the UK.{{cite web|url=https://www.joblo.com/horror-movies/news/rambo-last-blood-is-10-minutes-longer-in-some-countries|title=Rambo: Last Blood is Ten Minutes Longer In Some Countries|first=Cody|last=Hamman|work=JoBlo|date=September 23, 2019|access-date=September 23, 2019}}

Rambo: Last Blood was released on Digital on December 3, 2019, and was released on Ultra HD Blu-ray, Blu-ray, and DVD on December 17, 2019, by Lionsgate Home Entertainment. Best Buy released a retail exclusive steel book for the 4K UHD release.{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/10/28/rambo-last-blood-release-date-special-features-4k-uhd-blu-ray-dvd|title=Rambo: Last Blood Home Release Date and Preorder Guide|author=Chris Reed|work=IGN|date=October 28, 2019|access-date=October 28, 2019|url-status=live|archive-date=October 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028220738/https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/10/28/rambo-last-blood-release-date-special-features-4k-uhd-blu-ray-dvd}} The film has topped Redbox's disc rental and On Demand charts for several weeks.{{cite web|last=John|first=Latchem|title='Rambo: Last Blood' Takes Over Top of Redbox Charts|url=https://www.mediaplaynews.com/rambo-last-blood-takes-over-top-of-redbox-charts/|website=Home Media Magazine|date=December 24, 2019|access-date=January 10, 2020}}{{cite web|last=John|first=Latchem|title='Rambo: Last Blood' Tops Disc Sales Charts in Its Second Week|url=https://www.mediaplaynews.com/rambo-last-blood-tops-disc-sales-charts-in-its-second-week/|website=Home Media Magazine|date=January 5, 2020|access-date=January 10, 2020}}{{cite web|last=John|first=Latchem|title='Rambo: Last Blood' Tops Disc Sales Charts Again|url=https://www.mediaplaynews.com/rambo-last-blood-tops-disc-sales-charts-again/|website=Home Media Magazine|date=January 9, 2020|access-date=January 10, 2020}} The international version, titled Rambo: Last Blood Extended Cut, was released on Amazon Prime Video in May 2020.{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/rambo-5-last-blood-extended-cut-details-streaming/|title=Rambo: Last Blood Extended Cut With 12 More Minutes Is Now Streaming|author=Abdullah Al-Ghamdi|work=Screen Rant|date=May 5, 2020|access-date=May 22, 2020|url-status=live|archive-date=May 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200522151649/https://screenrant.com/rambo-5-last-blood-extended-cut-details-streaming/}} In the United States and Canada, the DVD earned $10 million and the Blu-ray earned $16.6 million, totaling $26.6 million in domestic video sales.{{cite the numbers|id=Rambo-Last-Blood-(2019)|title=Rambo: Last Blood (2019)|access-date= January 22, 2022}}

Rambo: Last Blood grossed $44.8 million in the United States and Canada, and $46.7 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $91.5 million, against a production budget of $50 million.

In the United States and Canada, the film was released alongside Ad Astra and Downton Abbey, and was projected to gross $23–25 million from 3,618 theaters in its opening weekend.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/09/will-the-downton-abbey-gang-take-out-rambo-at-the-b-o-weekend-preview-1202738117/|title=Will The 'Downton Abbey' Gang Take Out 'Rambo'? – Weekend Box Office Preview|last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=September 18, 2019 |access-date=September 18, 2019 }} The film made $7.17 million on Friday, which included $1.3 million from Thursday night previews.{{cite news|last=Mendelson|first=Scott|title=Box Office: Sylvester Stallone's 'Rambo' And Brad Pitt's 'Ad Astra' Both Earn $7 Million On Friday|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2019/09/21/box-office-sylvester-stallones-rambo-and-brad-pitts-ad-astra-both-earn-7-million-on-friday/#302b6df132a3|access-date=September 21, 2019|work=Forbes|date=September 21, 2019}} It went on to debut to $19 million, finishing third and marking the second-best opening of the series.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/09/downton-abbey-rambo-last-blood-ad-astra-hustlers-weekend-box-office-1202739525/|title= Big Screen Take On TV Series 'Downton Abbey' Is A Hit With $31M+ Opening, Reps Record For Focus Features – Early Sunday Update |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=September 22, 2019 |access-date=September 22, 2019}} The film made $8.6 million in its second weekend and $3.6 million in its third, finishing sixth and eighth, respectively.{{cite web |url= https://deadline.com/2019/09/abominable-downton-abbey-hustlers-weekend-box-office-1202746278/ |title=Dreamworks Animation-Pearl Studios' 'Abominable' Bigfoots B.O. With Near $21M Opening Weekend

|last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=September 29, 2019 |access-date=September 29, 2019}}{{Cite web |url= https://deadline.com/2019/10/joker-box-office-opening-weekend-1202752002/ |title= Warner Bros. Laughing All The Way To The Bank With 'Joker': $94M Debut Reps Records For October, Todd Phillips, Joaquin Phoenix & Robert De Niro |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony|date=October 6, 2019 |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=October 6, 2019 }}

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 26% based on {{RT data|count}} reviews, with an average rating of {{RT data|average}}. The site's critical consensus states, "Like the sequels that preceded it, Rambo: Last Blood is content to indulge in bloody violence at the expense of its main character's once-poignant story."{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/rambo_last_blood|title=Rambo: Last Blood (2019)|website=Rotten Tomatoes|publisher=Fandango|access-date={{RT data|access date}}}} {{MC film|26|31}}{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/rambo-last-blood|title=Rambo: Last Blood (2019) |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=September 28, 2019}} Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B" on an A+ to F scale, while those surveyed by PostTrak gave it an average 3.5 out of 5 stars and a 56% "definite recommend".

The portrayal of the Rambo character was put under scrutiny. Writing for the Los Angeles Times, Kenneth Turan gave the film 3 out of 4 stars and was complimentary of the story's "surprisingly brooding examination" of Rambo: "Sure, Rambo is convincing when he ends up telling bad people, 'I'm gonna hurt you real bad', but there is also a kind of fragility that makes us worry about people putting the hurt on him."{{cite web|last=Turan|first=Kenneth|title=Review: Sylvester Stallone's 'Rambo: Last Blood' goes for the jugular - but in darker ways|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2019-09-19/rambo-last-blood-review-sylvester-stallone|website=Los Angeles Times|date=September 19, 2019|access-date=September 20, 2019}} Peter Debruge wrote a negative review for Variety: "This character is a mess of contradictions, representing, on one hand, the permanent damage that military service can do to one's soul while simultaneously suggesting what the ideal soldier looks like."{{cite web|last=Debruge|first=Peter |title=Film Review: 'Rambo: Last Blood'|url=https://variety.com/2019/film/reviews/rambo-last-blood-review-sylvester-stallone-1203341831/ |website=Variety |date=September 19, 2019 |access-date=September 19, 2019}} Rating the film 4.5 out of 10 for IGN, Witney Seibold lamented, "A character who was originally meant to stand as a symbol for the damage that war can do to a soldier is now best remembered as an unkillable human machine gun", but credited Stallone with "[managing] to give as soulful a performance as the part warrants".{{cite web|last=Seibold|first=Witney |title=Rambo: Last Blood Review|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/09/18/rambo-last-blood-review |website=IGN |date=September 19, 2019 |access-date=September 19, 2019}}

The script by Stallone and Matthew Cirulnick attained unfavorable reactions. In a negative review for The Hollywood Reporter, Frank Scheck said it "feels utterly tossed-off and generic, more resembling the pilot for a Rambo television series than a proper send off", but credited Stallone with "[keeping] a franchise afloat".{{cite web|last=Scheck|first=Frank |title='Rambo: Last Blood': Film Review|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/rambo-last-blood-1240902 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=September 19, 2019 |access-date=September 20, 2019}} Katie Walsh of the Chicago Tribune, who gave the film 1 out of 4 stars, called the script "barely a script at all" and the writing lazy; she added that story writers Stallone and Dan Gordon "trade on charged imagery rather than, you know, actually writing characters that fully express the spectrum of human morality".{{cite web|last=Walsh|first=Katie |title=Movie review: Deeply xenophobic, lazy 'Rambo: Last Blood' should be the end of the line for the character|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/sns-tns-bc-rambo-lastblood-movie-review-20190919-story.html |website=Chicago Tribune |date=September 19, 2019 |access-date=September 20, 2019}} William Bibbiani of Bloody Disgusting said the script "has been reduced to its lowest common denominators, establishing characters quickly and then shoving them into a simplistic plot (that is to say, simplistic even by Rambo standards)", and rated the film 1.5 out of 5.{{cite web|last=Bibbiani|first=William |title=[Review] 'Rambo: Last Blood' is Bloody, But the Wrong Kind of Disgusting|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3584670/rambo-last-blood-bloody-wrong-kind-disgusting-review/ |website=Bloody Disgusting |date=September 19, 2019 |access-date=September 20, 2019}} Grading the film a D+ for IndieWire, Eric Kohn said Stallone as a co-writer "does a decent job at generating empathy for Rambo through furtive gestures, but Last Blood goes overboard to prove that he's tried to be a better man".{{cite web|last=Kohn|first=Eric |title='Rambo: Last Blood' Review: Stallone's Angry Icon Hits Rock Bottom in Dreary Finale|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2019/09/rambo-last-blood-review-sylvester-stallone-1202174763/ |publisher=IndieWire |date=September 19, 2019 |access-date=September 19, 2019}} While many called the plot of Last Blood derivative of Taken, web-based critic James Berardinelli called it "a Death Wish variant with a few callbacks to the trap-building of First Blood".{{cite web|last=Berardinelli|first=James|title=Rambo: Last Blood (United States, 2019)|url=http://www.reelviews.net/reelviews/rambo-last-blood|website=ReelViews|date=September 20, 2019|access-date=September 21, 2019}}

Critics reported being appalled by the brutality of the action scenes, with some comparing its amount of gore with that of a slasher film.{{cite magazine|last=Fear|first=David |title='Rambo: Last Blood': A Reagan-Era Hero, Re-Engineered for the MAGA Age|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-reviews/rambo-last-blood-movie-review-stallone-885610/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=September 19, 2019 |access-date=September 20, 2019}} Berardinelli said, "The body count is insanely high and the methods of death are worthy of a Halloween or Friday the 13th sequel", and gave the film 1 out of 4 stars. Debruge called the violence "horrible, gut-wrenching carnage to witness, and yet, it's been calibrated to elicit whoops and cheers from fans, who've faithfully followed along as Rambo evolved". Vince Mancini of Uproxx said, "It's so genuinely horrific I'm convinced there are real-life cartel videos celebrating the torture of rivals that are less gory", but recommended the film as a must-see.{{cite web|last=Mancini|first=Vince |title='Rambo: Last Blood' Is A Rollicking Good Time Of Hyper-Violent Xenophobic Revenge Fantasies|url=https://uproxx.com/movies/rambo-last-blood-is-a-rollicking-good-time-of-hyper-violent-xenophobic-revenge-fantasies/ |publisher=Uproxx |date=September 19, 2019 |access-date=September 19, 2019}} Conversely, Johnny Oleksinski of the New York Post said, "Rambo: Last Blood features what's easily the most violent movie scene of the year. It's awesome", but felt the narration, drama, and hackneyed backstory could have been edited out.{{cite web|last=Oleksinski|first=Johnny |title='Rambo: Last Blood' is an orgy of death|url=https://nypost.com/2019/09/19/rambo-last-blood-is-an-orgy-of-death/ |website=New York Post |date=September 19, 2019 |access-date=September 20, 2019}} Duncan Bowles of Den of Geek gave it 3 out of 5 stars, writing: "If you're not the kind of person who wants to weep with joy at the sight of Rambo tooling up, firing a bow, or rigging booby traps, then the film really isn't for you, but if you're after a solid display of carnage from a character you love, then there's plenty on offer."{{cite web|last=Bowles|first=Duncan |title=Rambo: Last Blood Review|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/uk/movies/action-movies/67554/rambo-last-blood-review-a-brutal-and-bloody-return-for-the-80s-action-icon |website=Den of Geek |publisher=Dennis Publishing |date=September 20, 2019 |access-date=September 21, 2019}} Many saw the climax of Last Blood as similar to that of Home Alone, which, by contrast, is rated PG.

The depiction of a crime infested Mexico and the stereotypical portrayal of most Mexicans and Latinos as criminals prompted critics to accuse the film of xenophobia and pandering to supporters of the Trump presidency.{{cite web|last=Rozsa|first=Matthew|title=The MAGA fever dream of "Rambo: Last Blood"|url=https://www.salon.com/2019/09/20/the-maga-fever-dream-of-rambo-last-blood/|website=Salon |date=September 21, 2019|access-date=September 21, 2019}} Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian called Last Blood a "massively enlarged prostate of a film [that] can only make you wince with its badly acted geronto-ultraviolence, its Trumpian fantasies of Mexican rapists and hilariously insecure US border, and its crass enthusiasm for rape-revenge attacks", giving it 1 out of 5 stars.{{cite web|last=Bradshaw|first=Peter|title=Rambo: Last Blood review – Stallone storms Mexico in a laughable Trumpian fantasy|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/sep/19/rambo-last-blood-review|website=The Guardian|date=September 19, 2019|access-date=September 20, 2019}} Seibold wrote: "I understand that Rambo films have rarely been bastions of cultural togetherness, but in 2019, these broad stereotypes are offensive and dated and downright irresponsible." Kohn wrote: "In 2019's hypersensitive cultural environment, the depiction of murderous Mexican crime bosses and their cowering sex slaves encountering a literal white savior doesn't go down so easy." Mexican film critic Gerardo Valero, a "far-flung correspondent" for RogerEbert.com, also criticized the use of Spain doubling for Mexico, and that it was "impossible not to laugh at this group of Spanish actors trying to sound Mexican by cursing with every other word in this strange accent". He also wrote: "If this movie wasn't so dumb, I would have probably found all of this offensive."{{cite web|last=Valero|first=Gerardo|title=Thoughts from Mexico on Rambo: Last Blood|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/far-flung-correspondents/thoughts-from-mexico-on-rambo-last-blood|website=RogerEbert.com|publisher=Ebert Digital LLC|access-date=October 5, 2019|date=October 4, 2019}} Addressing the complaints about the stereotypical villains, however, Bowles wrote: "The villains might be built from the stereotypical strain of pure evil from years past, but their reprehensibility is what makes the explosive payback work and the violence, despite some especially grim moments, never quite strays into the extreme stomach-churning highs from part IV."

David Morrell, creator of the Rambo character and author of the First Blood novel, tweeted that he disliked Rambo: Last Blood, calling it "a mess" and feeling "embarrassed to have my name associated with it".{{Cite web|last=Whalen|first=Andrew|url=https://www.newsweek.com/rambo-last-blood-review-david-morrell-sylvester-stallone-1460553|title=Rambo creator 'Hates' 'Last Blood' Left Theater Feeling 'Degraded and Dehumanized'|website=Newsweek|date=September 20, 2019|publisher=IBT Media|access-date=September 21, 2019}}{{cite web|last=Schedeen|first=Jesse|title=Rambo Author Calls Last Blood 'A Mess' That He's 'Embarrassed' to Be Associated With|url=https://www.ign.com/sylvester-stallone/29398/news/rambo-author-calls-last-blood-a-mess-that-hes-embarrassed-to-be-associated-with|website=IGN|date=September 20, 2019|access-date=July 28, 2020}}{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Morrell later told Newsweek:

I felt degraded and dehumanized after I left the theater. Instead of being soulful, this new movie lacks one. I felt I was less a human being for having seen it, and today that's an unfortunate message ... [Trackdown] is typical of ultra-violent 1970s exploitation "grindhouse" films, the technique of which Rambo: Last Blood resembles. The sets here look cheap. The direction is awkward. ... Rambo could be called John Smith, and the film wouldn't change. It assumes the audience is familiar with Rambo's background, whereas anyone under 40 will wonder what on Earth is going on with those tunnels.

Darren Mooney of The Escapist wrote: "Rambo has adopted the methodology of the Viet Cong by building elaborate tunnels under his family farm."{{cite web|url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/v2/rambo-brought-the-vietnam-war-and-its-scars-home/|title=Rambo Brought the Vietnam War (and Its Scars) Home|website=The Escapist|first=Darren|last=Mooney|date=September 30, 2019|access-date=June 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410181932/https://www.escapistmagazine.com/v2/rambo-brought-the-vietnam-war-and-its-scars-home/|archive-date=April 10, 2020|url-status=live}} Zak Wojnar of Screen Rant stated that "Rambo's tunnels are much larger and more sanitary than those of Củ Chi, but the imagery is comparable", adding that they are "where he holds his demons, where he channels his negative energy, and where he keeps his past close, but contained". As for the final act of the film, Wojnar stated that "his 'PTSD Tunnels' play a key role in his revenge", writing: "Using the same guerilla tactics that were likely used on him and his friends fifty years ago, Rambo emerges from his tunnels like a Vietnamese fighter popping out of a spider hole, shoots several targets, and then disappears underground before they even know what hit them."{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/rambo-last-blood-tunnerls-dug-reason/|title=Wait, Why Did Rambo Build The Tunnels In Last Blood?|website=Screen Rant|first=Zak|last=Wojnar|date=September 29, 2019|access-date=June 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930214657/https://screenrant.com/rambo-last-blood-tunnerls-dug-reason/|archive-date=September 30, 2019|url-status=live}}

During Cannes 2019, Stallone said he would continue portraying Rambo if the fifth film succeeds.{{cite web|url=https://www.joblo.com/horror-movies/news/stallone-would-return-as-rambo-if-last-blood-is-a-hit|title= Stallone happy to return as Rambo if Last Blood is a hit|first=Mike|last=Sprague|date=June 12, 2019|publisher=JoBlo.com|access-date=June 13, 2019}} Grünberg, however, said that Rambo: Last Blood "closes the circle", hoping it would conclude the film series.{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/rambo-5-last-blood-director-adrian-grunberg-interview/|title= Exclusive: Rambo: Last Blood director discusses bringing back Sylvester Stallone's action hero: "This movie closes the circle"|author=Jack Shepherd, James Mottram|work=GamesRadar|date=July 22, 2019|access-date=July 25, 2019}} In September 2019, Stallone confirmed that he has plans for a prequel to the series; although he would not reprise the title role, he would like to explore who Rambo was before the Vietnam War: {{blockquote|I always thought of Rambo when he was 16 or 17—I hope they can do the prequel—he was the best person you could find. He was the captain of the team; he was the most popular kid in school; a super athlete. He was like Jim Thorpe, and the war is what changed him. If you saw him before, he was like the perfect guy.{{cite web|last=Zinski|first=Dan |title=Sylvester Stallone Wants a Rambo Prequel|url=https://screenrant.com/rambo-prequel-movie-idea-sylvester-stallone/ |website=Screen Rant |date=September 16, 2019 |access-date=17 September 2019}}|sign=|source=}}

In September 2019, Stallone had expressed interest in having Rambo take refuge in an Indian reservation for a potential sixth film.{{cite web|title=Sylvester Stallone interview for Rambo: Last Blood!|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2th50Z9nKcI|work=JoBlo.com| date=September 17, 2019 |publisher=JoBlo.com official YouTube channel|access-date=September 18, 2019|time=3:52}} In June 2020, Stallone briefly elaborated on the idea, stating, "If I ever did another one, I think he would go back to the Indian reservation that he grew up on because he has Indian family."{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otyZ9qS3-cY|title=ランボー ラスト・ブラット シルベスター・スタローン主演 インタビュー最後の勇者編 Rambo: Last Blood Sylvester Stallone interview movie|date=2020-06-23|work=Nippon TV Sukkiri|publisher=Shigz Channel, YouTube|access-date=June 25, 2020|time=8:30}}

However, in a September 2023 convention appearance, Stallone cast doubt on a sixth film, joking that Rambo would just be fighting arthritis.{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=T. C. |date=2023-09-16 |title="What Am I Fighting? Arthritis?" Rambo 6 Chances Get Honest Response From Sylvester Stallone |url=https://screenrant.com/rambo-6-movie-franchise-update-sylvester-stallone/ |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}

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