the limits of control is a 2009 american film written and directed by jim jarmusch, starring isaach de bankolé as a solitary assassin, carrying out a job in spain. filming began in february 2008, and took place on location in madrid, seville and almería, spain. the film was distributed by focus features. it received mixed reviews, and as of december 12, 2012, has a 43% rating on the review aggregator rotten tomatoes, having been criticized for its slow pace and inaccessible dialogue while praising its beautiful cinematography and its ambitious scope.