Sicario – Review

There’s nothing like a film that will make you question every value you have, and every moral you hold. For Denis Villeneuve’s latest endeavour Sicario is an excruciating, discomforting cinematic experience – but nonetheless, a truly rewarding one. Blurring the line between good and evil and playing heavily on our perceptions of what is right or wrong – here’s a film that will stay on your mind for a long while after seeing it; whether you like it or not.

In Spanish, Sicario means hit-man, which may give some sort of indication as to what sort of feature we’re dealing with here. Set in and around the border between Mexico and the US, the government have tasked the idealistic FBI Agent Kate Macer (Emily Blunt) with the seemingly impossible mission of taking out the drug cartel network of Manuel Diaz. Alongside her trustworthy associate Reggie (Daniel Kaluuya), she’s introduced to other members of the team: the somewhat less earnest Matt Graver (Josh Brolin) and Alejandro (Benicio Del Toro) – who have a rather unorthodox, unlawful means of eradicating their target.

Sicario bears a truly compelling narrative, but that matters little when the acting performances are not up to scratch – but in this instance, they bring this tale to life in remarkable fashion. Across the board, each lead role is nuanced and with so much depth. Blunt is formidable and so absorbing in the lead role, with such a screen presence that you can barely draw your eyes away from her. Meanwhile it’s great to see Kalyuuya rewarded with such a well-crafted role in a big, Hollywood production; being an actor who has been impressing on the smaller screen back in England for a number of years.

Sicario is engrossing cinema that will have you on the edge of your seat throughout, with some unbearably, and exhilaratingly suspenseful sequences. It’s yet another fine feature to add to Villeneuve’s flourishing career, and with the Canadian filmmaker now helming the forthcoming, eagerly anticipated Blade Runner sequel, you’d be really hard pressed to find anybody else more up to the task.