# Sicario

> 2015 film directed by Denis Villeneuve

**Wikidata**: [Q17337292](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q17337292)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sicario_(2015_film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sicario

## Summary
Sicario is a 2015 crime thriller film directed by Denis Villeneuve, set in the violent world of drug cartels on the U.S.-Mexico border. The film follows an idealistic FBI agent who joins a government task force to combat drug trafficking, confronting moral ambiguity and brutal realities. It stars Emily Blunt, Benicio del Toro, and Josh Brolin.

## Key Facts
- Directed by Denis Villeneuve, released September 18, 2015 (Venice Film Festival), October 2, 2015 (US theatrical)
- Genre: Crime thriller, action thriller, mystery film, drama film
- Production company: Lionsgate, Black Label Media, Thunder Road Pictures
- Country of origin: United States
- Runtime: 121 minutes
- Budget: $30 million
- Box office: $84,869,984 worldwide
- IMDb rating: 7.7/10 (based on over 400,000 user ratings)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 92% critics score, 82% audience score
- Metacritic: 82/100
- Nominated for Best Cinematography at the 88th Academy Awards
- Received National Board of Review Top Ten Films award
- Main cast: Emily Blunt (Kate Macer), Benicio del Toro (Alejandro Gillick), Josh Brolin (Matt Graver)
- Followed by sequel "Sicario: Day of the Soldado" (2018)
- Available on platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and others

## FAQs
**What is the plot of Sicario?**
The film follows FBI agent Kate Macer, who is recruited into a covert CIA task force targeting a Mexican drug cartel. As she works alongside mysterious operative Alejandro and CIA consultant Matt Graver, Kate becomes increasingly disillusioned with the morally questionable tactics employed, including extrajudicial killings and manipulation of the law.

**Who are the main actors in Sicario?**
The film stars Emily Blunt as Kate Macer, Benicio del Toro as Alejandro Gillick, and Josh Brolin as Matt Graver. Supporting cast includes Victor Garber, Jon Bernthal, Daniel Kaluuya, and Jeffrey Donovan.

**What awards did Sicario receive?**
Sicario was nominated for three Academy Awards: Best Cinematography (Roger Deakins), Best Original Score (Jóhann Jóhannsson), and Best Sound Editing. It won the National Board of Review Top Ten Films award and received numerous other nominations including BAFTA and Critics' Choice awards.

**Is Sicario based on a true story?**
While inspired by real-world drug cartel violence and U.S. anti-narcotics operations, Sicario is a fictional story created by screenwriter Taylor Sheridan. The film's depiction of cartel brutality and government tactics reflects documented realities but the specific characters and plot are fictional.

**What is the significance of the title "Sicario"?**
"Sicario" is Spanish for "hitman" or "assassin," referring to the professional killers employed by drug cartels. The title reflects the film's exploration of violence, morality, and the blurred lines between law enforcement and criminality in the drug war.

## Why It Matters
Sicario matters as a critically acclaimed thriller that brought renewed attention to the complex and violent realities of the U.S.-Mexico drug war. The film's unflinching portrayal of cartel brutality, government overreach, and moral ambiguity resonated with audiences and critics alike, sparking discussions about immigration, law enforcement tactics, and the human cost of the drug trade. Denis Villeneuve's direction, combined with Roger Deakins' cinematography and Jóhann Jóhannsson's score, created a tense, atmospheric experience that elevated the crime thriller genre. The film's success launched Taylor Sheridan's career as a prominent screenwriter and led to a successful sequel, establishing Sicario as a significant franchise in contemporary cinema.

## Notable For
- Roger Deakins' cinematography, widely praised as some of his best work
- Jóhann Jóhannsson's haunting, Oscar-nominated score
- Emily Blunt's powerful performance as a female lead in a traditionally male-dominated genre
- Benicio del Toro's complex, morally ambiguous character
- Realistic depiction of cartel violence and U.S. border operations
- Launching Taylor Sheridan's career as a major screenwriter
- Establishing Denis Villeneuve as a top-tier director before his work on Blade Runner 2049 and Dune
- Creating a successful franchise with its 2018 sequel
- Being selected for the Venice Film Festival's main competition

## Body
### Production and Release
Sicario was produced by Lionsgate, Black Label Media, and Thunder Road Pictures, with a production budget of $30 million. The film premiered at the 72nd Venice International Film Festival on September 18, 2015, where it competed for the Golden Lion. It received a limited theatrical release in the United States on September 18, 2015, followed by a wide release on October 2, 2015. The film was distributed internationally by Lionsgate and in various territories by different distributors including Sony Pictures Releasing internationally.

### Creative Team
Directed by Denis Villeneuve, known for films like Arrival and Blade Runner 2049, Sicario was written by Taylor Sheridan in his screenwriting debut. The film features cinematography by Roger Deakins, who received an Academy Award nomination for his work. The score was composed by Jóhann Jóhannsson, also nominated for an Oscar. The production design was handled by Patrice Vermette, with editing by Joe Walker.

### Cast and Characters
The film stars Emily Blunt as Kate Macer, an idealistic FBI agent who becomes increasingly disillusioned with the task force's methods. Benicio del Toro plays Alejandro Gillick, a mysterious Colombian former prosecutor with a personal vendetta against the cartel. Josh Brolin portrays Matt Graver, a CIA consultant who operates with questionable ethics. The supporting cast includes Victor Garber as Kate's boss Dave Jennings, Jon Bernthal as Ted, Daniel Kaluuya as Reggie Wayne, and Jeffrey Donovan as Steve Forsing.

### Genre and Style
Sicario blends multiple genres including crime thriller, action thriller, mystery film, and drama film. The film is known for its tense, atmospheric style, with Villeneuve employing long takes, minimal dialogue, and a pervasive sense of dread. Deakins' cinematography features striking desert landscapes and night-vision sequences, while Jóhannsson's score uses deep, ominous tones to build tension throughout the film.

### Critical Reception
The film received widespread critical acclaim, with particular praise for Villeneuve's direction, Deakins' cinematography, Jóhannsson's score, and the performances of the lead actors. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 92% critics score based on 293 reviews, with an average rating of 8.2/10. The critical consensus states: "Led by outstanding work from Emily Blunt and Benicio del Toro, Sicario is a taut, tightly wound thriller with much more on its mind than attention-getting set pieces." On Metacritic, it has a score of 82 out of 100 based on 45 critics, indicating "universal acclaim."

### Box Office Performance
With a production budget of $30 million, Sicario grossed $46,881,000 in the United States and Canada, and $38,000,000 in other territories, for a worldwide total of $84,869,984. The film's strong critical reception and word-of-mouth helped it perform well beyond its initial limited release.

### Awards and Nominations
Sicario received numerous awards and nominations. It was nominated for three Academy Awards: Best Cinematography (Roger Deakins), Best Original Score (Jóhann Jóhannsson), and Best Sound Editing. The film won the National Board of Review Top Ten Films award and received nominations from the BAFTA Awards, Critics' Choice Movie Awards, Satellite Awards, and various critics' associations. Deakins won several cinematography awards for his work on the film.

### Sequel and Franchise
The success of Sicario led to a sequel, Sicario: Day of the Soldado, released in 2018. Directed by Stefano Sollima and written by Taylor Sheridan, the sequel focuses on Benicio del Toro's character Alejandro and Josh Brolin's Matt Graver, with Emily Blunt not returning. A third film, Sicario: Capos, is in development.

### Cultural Impact
Sicario brought significant attention to the realities of the U.S.-Mexico drug war, depicting the violence, corruption, and moral ambiguity that characterize the conflict. The film's portrayal of cartel operations, government tactics, and the human cost of the drug trade resonated with audiences and sparked discussions about immigration policy, law enforcement methods, and the effectiveness of the war on drugs. Its success also helped establish Taylor Sheridan as a major voice in screenwriting, leading to his creation of the Yellowstone television franchise.

### Technical Aspects
The film was shot primarily in New Mexico, with some scenes filmed in Mexico. Deakins employed various techniques including long lenses for surveillance sequences, natural lighting for many scenes, and innovative use of thermal imaging and night vision for key sequences. The sound design, mixing natural sounds with Jóhannsson's score, creates an immersive, tense atmosphere throughout the film.

### Distribution and Availability
Sicario is available on multiple streaming and digital platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Vudu, and others. It has been released on DVD, Blu-ray, and 4K Ultra HD formats, often including behind-the-scenes featurettes and commentary tracks. The film's distribution rights have been sold to various international markets, making it widely available globally.

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