Sicario, released in theaters on September 18, 2015, is a masterclass in tension and moral ambiguity. Written by Taylor Sheridan, the film plunges the audience into the heart of the U.S.-Mexico drug war, not as a heroic tale, but as a chilling, procedural descent into a world where the lines between right and wrong are blurred to the point of non-existence.
The film’s plot is seen through the eyes of Kate Macer (Emily Blunt), an idealistic and by-the-book FBI agent who specializes in kidnapping cases. After a harrowing raid, she is recruited by the enigmatic government official Matt Graver (Josh Brolin) to join a mysterious task force with the goal of taking down a powerful Mexican cartel kingpin.
The team includes the silent, unsettling Alejandro (Benicio del Toro), a man whose true motives are kept hidden.
As the operation unfolds, Kate finds herself in a series of morally compromised situations, witnessing brutal methods and illegal actions that she cannot reconcile with her own ethics. Her growing disillusionment and sense of powerlessness are the film’s emotional core, as she realizes she is merely a pawn in a much larger, darker game.
The film builds its suspense not with jump scares, but with a constant, simmering dread that permeates every frame, from sun-baked desert landscapes to claustrophobic tunnels.
Sicario is a film that leaves you feeling breathless and unsettled, largely due to its atmospheric direction and a trio of powerhouse performances.
Jon Bernthal, Jeffrey Donovan, Victor Garber, and Daniel Kaluuya round out the cast.
Denis Villeneuve directed the film.
The film received Academy Award nominations for Best Cinematography, Best Original Score, and Best Sound Editing.
The film had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on May 19, 2015.
Sicario was followed by a sequel, Sicario: Day of the Solado, released on June 29, 2018.
Benicio del Toro in Sicario (Photo/Lionsgate)
Reception for Sicario
Sicario grossed $401,288 on its opening weekend, earning a per screen average of $66,881 on its limited release on six screens.
The film would expand to wide release on Oct. 2-4, where it would gross $12.1 million and finish in third place at the box office.
Sicario would gross $84.9 million worldwide.
Lasting Legacy
The legacy of Sicario is multifaceted and enduring and is widely considered one of the great modern thrillers, celebrated for its unflinching portrayal of its subject matter and its technical brilliance. Roger Deakins’s cinematography is a major reason for its success, as he uses light and shadow to create a palpable sense of danger and foreboding.
The film also cemented the careers of its stars, with del Toro’s chilling and understated performance as Alejandro becoming an iconic screen presence.
Sheridan’s screenplay was praised for its sharp dialogue and complex themes.
Sicario is a film that is as thought-provoking as it is thrilling, ensuring its place as a modern classic.
