Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violent drug-lord battle is masterful but pessimistic.
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Sicario
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 10 parent reviews
Based on 28 kid reviews
Kids say that this movie is a dark, intense thriller with graphic violence and mature themes surrounding the Mexican drug cartels. While many appreciate the gripping performances and stunning cinematography, some find the protagonist lacking in depth and the overall tone too bleak, leading to a mix of admiration and discomfort among viewers.
- dark themes
- graphic violence
- strong performances
- intense storytelling
- mature audiences
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In SICARIO, FBI agent Kate Macer (Emily Blunt) and her partner, Reggie (Daniel Kaluuya), raid a house in Arizona, where they discover decomposing bodies hidden in the walls -- as well as hidden explosives; it's the work of powerful Mexican drug cartels. When the mysterious Matt (Josh Brolin) shows up and asks Kate to join a new task force dedicated to bringing the drug lords down, she agrees. And after meeting up with the even more cryptic Alejandro (Benicio Del Toro), she discovers that there's more at stake than she imagined: She's given misinformation -- or no information -- and the task force's missions never seem to be more than arresting or shooting random thugs. As time goes on, Kate realizes that she's only a small cog in a much larger, darker plan.
Is It Any Good?
Aided by Roger Deakins' glorious cinematography, director Denis Villeneuve delivers an essential movie for our times: brilliant, bold, and unflinchingly pessimistic, but still exhilarating. Using a great first screenplay by actor Taylor Sheridan, Sicario places viewers directly in Kate's shoes; the movie spends long minutes simply watching, observing events without explaining them. It creates a world of tense uncertainty in which our hero could be in danger -- or safe -- at any time.
For such a complex movie, Sicario also manages to be strongly visual, underlining physical spaces -- open, shadowy, unsafe, tight areas -- and frequently noting how small Kate seems compared to her colleagues. It also manages a strong visceral sense of human capabilities and frailties (exhaustion, hunger, etc.), making later scenes even stronger. Given this powerful framework, the actors all deliver exemplary performances, with Del Toro perhaps at the forefront.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Sicario's violence. Which parts were gruesome, and which were exciting? How did the movie achieve these effects? What's the impact of media violence on kids?
The main character seems to use smoking, drinking, and sex as ways to relieve stress. Is this healthy? What are the consequences? Are they realistic?
What does the movie have to say about law versus justice? What's the difference between the two? Does the end justify the means?
How do you feel about Kate? Is she a role model? What are her flaws or shortcomings?
Movie Details
- In theaters : September 18, 2015
- On DVD or streaming : January 5, 2016
- Cast : Emily Blunt , Benicio Del Toro , Josh Brolin
- Director : Denis Villeneuve
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Lionsgate
- Genre : Thriller
- Run time : 121 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong violence, grisly images, and language
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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