A “masterpiece” gangster thriller starring Emily Blunt is streaming for free in the UK. Sicario (2015) follows FBI special agent Kate Macer (Blunt) who is recruited by the bureau to join a secretive inter-agency task force and told they will be targeting powerful drug cartel on the US-Mexico border.
The mission is overseen by mysterious CIA officer Matt Graver (Josh Brolin), and the secretive assassin Alejandro Gillick (Benicio del Toro). But as Kate learns more about the murky world of narcotrafficking, she begins to suspect their mission is not quite what it seems. It was directed by Denis Villeneuve (Dune) from a screenplay by Taylor Sheridan.
One fan writing on IMDb, where it has a 7.7/10 score, said Villeneuve “takes a story that could easily have been borrowed from a cheap action flick and makes a cinematic masterpiece out of it”, calling it a “meticulously paced tense slow burner”.
Another hailed it as a film that “far exceeded the expectations of most viewers”. “From start to finish, it’s a roller coaster of tension, pitch perfect pacing, lean dialogue and tight story telling,” they added.
“It opens with an FBI drug raid on a house. Then, something more sinister is uncovered, then BAM! And you’re only like ten minutes in. Then Josh Brolin and Benicio Del Toro show up with enough cool to carry any movie.
“The scene at the border when the convoy gets stuck in traffic is one of the most tense, perfectly shot sequences I’ve ever seen.”
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A third, who gave Sicario a perfect score said: “There’s been many films and shows that revolve around the war on drugs or cartels. When it comes to that genre, ‘Sicario’ should be at the top of anyone’s list.
“So much to praise in this film. The music combined with the cinematography sets the whole tone of the movie with a haunting intensity. It feels real, raw, and dark.
“Taylor Sheridan no doubt proved he can write with this one, but it’s Denis Villeneuve and his one of a kind filmmaking that really brings the grim atmosphere. He’s a master of tension building. Time and time again he’s shown that his level of cinematography is unmatched.”
Viewers have also taken to Rotten Tomatoes to shower the film with praise, with one saying it’s among “the best movies in the last 20 years”.
Another said: “A riveting film, fascinating (but disturbing) story, and excellent cast.”
A third added: “One of my personal favorites – from a dynamic plot to outstanding acting, this movie offers it all!”
It has a 91% score on the site’s Tomatometer (reflecting the percentage of approved critics who have given the movie a positive review), as well as a strong 85% score among general audiences.
The hard-hitting movie has a 15 certificate and contains strong violence, images of dead bodies, and strong language – so viewer discretion is advised.
Sicario is streaming now on ITVX. It’s also available on Amazon Prime with a Lionsgate+ add on. You can also buy or rent it there, or on Apple TV and Sky Store.
