“Sicario” is Spanish for “hitman,” and this movie is unlike any other movie about the war on drugs and smuggling across the Mexican border. It is bold because it executes to perfection something so many movies can only dream of pulling off. It is the most tense two hours of any movie this year, and Benicio Del Toro delivers a riveting performance alongside Emily Blunt.
"Sicario" strays from the typical war on drugs movie by introducing a new perspective to the audience. The movie illustrates a certain angle against the war on drugs in a provoking and effective method. It gives us the scenario that the United States could potentially be using a hitman to go beyond their jurisdiction to accomplish tasks they would otherwise not be able to do. It is intriguing to say the least, but something it does more than just giving us a creative perspective is creating an enjoyable thrill ride that never ceases to let up from the opening scene.
From the opening sequence, tension is established as a tool that will flow throughout the movie, but it is one thing to flow and another to completely engulf the movie in it. The entire movie is made up of tension-binding moments where it just keeps escalating scene after scene. It is remarkable how it sustained such a force and then kept building and building through the very last scene. It never lets up and creates a gripping atmosphere filled with uncertainty. When a scene is headed in one direction, it takes an unexpected turn, which always kept you on the edge of your seat.
The film is as relentless as it is subtle. It does not conform to the conventional outcomes of certain situations, but rather uses the tension it established to make each moment seem vital regardless of what happens next. The main action sequences are executed with precision and discomfort rather than high-octane centerpieces that stray away from what the film is about. Notably, an escort mission that leads to a realistically intense encounter at the border and the climatic tunnel infiltration. There is an unsettling feeling that carries its way through the film, which delivers every action sequence with shocking finesse that stays true to its tone.
“Sicario” is a film that stays true to itself and the story it is trying to tell. It introduces an intriguing perspective while also showing the unforgiving violence of the war on drugs across the Mexican border. It is beautifully shot with memorable scenes that will stay with you after the movie is over. Benicio Del Toro delivers a menacing performance that will surely have him in the talks for an Oscar nomination when awards season comes around. Emily Blunt does a great job as well, but it is Del Toro that steals every scene. “Sicario” is definitely the sleeper hit of the year and it is well worth the time and money to experience this caliber of a movie.
