It was nominated numerous times at the Oscars (Image: undefined)
Film fans can sink their teeth into yet another gripping thriller now streaming for free on BBC iPlayer — this time, an Oscar-winning, action-packed tale helmed by one of Hollywood‘s finest directors.
Denis Villeneuve, the mastermind behind Dune parts one and two, Blade Runner 2049 and Prisoners, also directed this hugely popular 2015 crime thriller that viewers are hailing as “gripping”.
Sicario is a 2015 American film penned by Taylor Sheridan in his screenwriting debut, following a disciplined and determined FBI special agent who is recruited by CIA operative Matt Graver and consultant Alejandro Gillick to face an entirely new kind of challenge.
Kate, the special agent, is handpicked to join a task force tasked with bringing down the leader of a fearsome and powerful Mexican drug cartel. However, she soon discovers she is being used as a cover, with the CIA’s true motives gradually coming to light.
Their aim isn’t to dismantle the drug trade at all. Rather, they seek 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.
It was released in 2015 (Image: Daily Record)
Emily Blunt leads the cast in the central role, joined by Benicio del Toro and Josh Brolin, all three of whom garnered widespread acclaim from both 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!
“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.”
Another captivated viewer wrote: “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!”.
The film is the first instalment of a trilogy (Image: Sunday Mirror)
Following its debut more than a decade ago, 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 remains widely regarded as one of the finest in its genre, with audiences awarding it an impressive 91% rating.
Another review states: “Fantastic movie. You can cut the tension with a knife. The acting is excellent, and the soundtrack gives the film a menacing undercurrent that simmers just below the surface.”
Released as the opening chapter of Taylor Sheridan’s American Frontier Trilogy, the film was subsequently 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.
Brace yourself for a perilous mission by watching Sicario free of charge at home on BBC iPlayer, while it’s also available to stream on Amazon Prime.
