Denis Villeneuve's Oscar-nominated crime thriller Sicario is now streaming free on BBC iPlayer. The 2015 film, starring Emily Blunt, Benicio del Toro and Josh Brolin, continues to draw praise from viewers more than a decade after its release.
Plot and Cast
Written by Taylor Sheridan in his screenwriting debut, Sicario follows a disciplined FBI special agent who is recruited by CIA operative Matt Graver and consultant Alejandro Gillick. The agent, Kate, is handpicked to join a task force tasked with bringing down the leader of a powerful Mexican drug cartel, only to discover she is being used as a cover as the CIA's true motives emerge.
The mission is not to dismantle the drug trade but to destabilise the cartel so profoundly that its top lieutenant is compelled to return to Mexico and answer to the ultimate drug lord, Fausto Alarcón.
Critical Acclaim
Emily Blunt leads the cast, joined by Benicio del Toro and Josh Brolin, all of whom garnered widespread acclaim from audiences and critics. One Rotten Tomatoes review reads: "This is one of the most suspenseful movies I have ever watched, and it was absolutely amazing!"
Another review states: "With a nail-biting story, shocking action, and an incredible cast, this movie is nothing short of a masterpiece and another home run from Denis Villeneuve." A further review adds: "It's tense, it's gripping, it's thrilling...this movie is everything. With an outstanding performance from Benicio del Toro, Sicario delivers amazing work from Denis Villeneuve and is an absolute must-see for any action/thriller fan!"
Awards and Legacy
Following its debut, Sicario secured nominations across multiple categories at the Oscars, including Best Cinematography, Best Original Score, and Best Sound Editing. The film also garnered several BAFTA nominations and holds a 91% audience rating.
Released as the opening chapter of Taylor Sheridan's American Frontier Trilogy, the film was followed by Hell or High Water and Wind River. A sequel, Sicario: Day of the Soldado, continued the narrative, while a third instalment is reportedly in development. Sicario is available to stream free on BBC iPlayer and on Amazon Prime.
