Sicario

On the surface, Sicario appears to be yet another thriller exploring the never ending war on drugs, pitting bad guys against worse guys. But this intense film is much deeper and cerebral. Reminiscent of films such as The Silence Of The Lambs, Zero Dark Thirty and Camp X-Ray – which all place female protagonists in the lead role in male dominated worlds – it explores this interesting dynamic along with the consequences of the confronting violence happening all around them.

Emily Blunt as Kate Macer provides a wonderful performance, as the viewer follows along with her as she struggles to comprehend and discover the true intentions of the task force she is assigned to in order to finally make a difference in the war on drugs.

Director Denis Villeneuve and cinematographer Roger Deakins combine expertly to build the tension, without being overtly graphic in the depiction of violence but maintaining that weight and sense of finality to every shot fired, as it slowly suffocates the viewer and keeps them guessing as to who the real bad guy is.

Star Rating: ****