“Sicario”

8.5

A masterclass in suspenseful filmmaking. The action is razor-focused. The characters are developed in a way that beautifully balances depth with intrigue.

All three leads fit perfectly within their characters. Emily Blunt serves well as a stand-in for the audience, playing off the other characters as she peels back each menacing layer of the narrative onion. Josh Brolin plays the charismatic bad(?) guy that you can’t help but get behind from time to time. Benicio Del Torro has an immense presence on the screen, serving as a man of few words who speaks volumes with the little dialogue he does have. He really serves as the mooring in reality and sanity for the story in the end, as the only consistent character. Even if he is consistently sinister with just enough heart and logic behind him that you go “I kinda get it.”

A thought-provoking film, regardless of your politics and level of violence tolerance. Nuance that is often lacking in today’s storytelling. Plus, the score is amazing. Highly recommend.