---
title: "Sicario"
year: 2015
canonical_url: "https://www.archytele.com/show/sicario-2015"
media_type: "movie"
tmdb_id: 273481
imdb_id: "tt3397884"
status: "Released"
runtime_minutes: 122
community_rating: 7.4
vote_count: 9666
content_rating: "R"
---

# Sicario (2015) — Television & Cinema Intelligence Dossier

> **Archytele Living Vault Canonical Record**: https://www.archytele.com/show/sicario-2015

## Executive Summary & Cultural Positioning

Sicario is a 2015 American action crime thriller film directed by Denis Villeneuve. The screenplay was written by Taylor Sheridan, marking his screenwriting debut. The film features a cast that includes Emily Blunt, Benicio del Toro, Josh Brolin, Jon Bernthal, and Victor Garber. The story follows an idealistic FBI agent who is enlisted by a government task force to assist in the escalating war against drugs along the border between the United States and Mexico. As part of a covert Department of Defense task force, the agent works alongside a CIA handler and a mysterious fixer. The mission involves operating outside of established legal boundaries to target a Mexican cartel, leading the agent to discover that the true purpose of the operation is more complex than initially understood. The film, which has a runtime of approximately two hours, was presented in competition at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival. It serves as the first entry in an informal trilogy written by Sheridan regarding the modern American frontier.

## The Hook & The Verdict

**The Hook**: "An idealistic FBI agent joins a government task force to combat the escalating war on drugs."

### Why Watch
- intense atmosphere
- compelling premise

### Caveats & Content Note
- intense violence
- bleak tone
- Tone & Suitability: The film contains intense depictions of violence and thematic elements related to the drug war.

**Micro-Themes & Vibe Matrix**: tense, gritty, suspenseful, realistic

## Streaming Availability Matrix

| Region | Stream (Subscription) | Free / Ads | Rent / Buy |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **United States (US)** | Hulu, fuboTV | None | Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies |
| **United Kingdom (GB)** | ITVX Premium, Lionsgate+ Amazon Channels | ITVX | Apple TV Store, Rakuten TV, Amazon Video |
| **Canada (CA)** | Disney Plus, Paramount Plus, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Hollywood Suite, Hollywood Suite Amazon Channel, Starz Amazon Channel, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Basic with Ads, Crave Amazon Channel | None | Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, CosmoGo |
| **Australia (AU)** | Stan | None | JustWatch TV, Apple TV Store, Amazon Video |

## Creative Credits

- **Directed by**: Denis Villeneuve
- **Networks / Studios**: Lionsgate, Black Label Media, Thunder Road

## Key Cast Continuity

- **Emily Blunt** as *Kate Macer*
- **Benicio del Toro** as *Alejandro Gillick*
- **Josh Brolin** as *Matt Graver*
- **Victor Garber** as *Dave Jennings*
- **Jon Bernthal** as *Ted*
- **Daniel Kaluuya** as *Reggie Wayne*
- **Jeffrey Donovan** as *Steve Forsing*
- **Raoul Max Trujillo** as *Rafael*
- **Julio Cesar Cedillo** as *Fausto Alarcon*
- **Hank Rogerson** as *Phil Coopers*

## Canonical Frequently Asked Questions

### Q: What is the film about?
It follows an FBI agent recruited for a government mission to address drug-related conflict at the border.

### Q: Is the story set in the United States?
The narrative takes place in the border area between the U.S. and Mexico.

### Q: Who is the protagonist?
The main character is an idealistic FBI agent.

### Q: What is the genre?
It is a thriller centered on a government task force.

### Q: What is the central conflict?
The plot centers on the escalating war against drugs.

## Grounded Source Citations

- [Sicario — The Movie Database (TMDB)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/273481)
- [Sicario (2015 film) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sicario_(2015_film))
- [Sicario (2015) - Cast & Crew — The Movie Database (TMDB)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/273481-sicario/cast)
- [Sicario (film 2015) - Wikipedia](https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sicario_(film_2015))
- [Sicario - Full Cast & Crew - TV Guide](https://www.tvguide.com/movies/sicario/cast/2000315190/)
- [Sicario (2015) - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3397884/)

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*Generated by Archytele Open Intelligence Systems. Data verified against TMDB and JustWatch APIs.*