Sicario is a brutally dark thriller that uses gritty realism to explore what it's really like for the United States to fight Mexican cartels. The movie mostly revolves around FBI agent Kate Macer, who has quickly risen through the ranks in the male-dominated field, and it seems like she can finally make a difference in the world when she's given a top assignment. Previously, she worked with hostages and kidnapping, but after she sees some atrocious events near Phoenix, Arizona that are known to be done by the cartel, she knows that she needs to do whatever it takes to stop them. Despite how the top assignment she's given is coated in mystery and suspicion, Kate agrees to volunteer alongside the mission and becomes recruited by a government officinal named Matt Graver, who's real position remains unclear. Together, they are joined by Alejandro, an intense and shadowy man that appears to have a dark past, as they begin to go back and forth across the border with other squad members. As they begin to investigate the areas in Mexico, they begin to realize that they can't just arrest as many members of the cartel as possible, but they must instead take out the most powerful ones, the ones who actually make a difference. In order to do so, however, the team realizes that they can't just simply show up to his door. Instead, the team decides to try to use one cartel boss to flush out an even bigger boss, but as they do so, Kate realizes that she has no idea what's she has gotten herself into. 
 Dark in its entirety, Sicario manages to brilliantly expose morality topics and the true extent of the dangers that the cartel arises both in Mexico and the United States, while also being realistic and gritty throughout. This movie isn't for the faint of heart, and it instead includes the crude brutality of what some of the cartel members do. Additionally, the movie manages to swiftly and easily conjure up suspense and drama to create a thriller that knows how to keep the adrenaline pumping. While also succeeding in keeping audiences on the edges of their seats, the movie essentially feels like a mystery, simply because no one can be trusted. Betrayal arises more often than not, and because Kate is thrown into a world that she hasn't even touched the surface of, and how she doesn't even know the true roles of most of the team members, it becomes clear that Kate doesn't know as much as she believes. 
 

Sicario manages to feel like a well done story throughout, and it's nothing short of a cinematic masterpiece. The visuals of the movie are just outstanding, and they amazingly go along with the plot of the movie. Utilizing the raw beauty of Mexico to contrast with the evil going along in the cities of the country, the film feels like a work of art more often than not. Not only are the vivid visual effects stupendous, but the superb special effects of the movie allow the creators to include action that proves to be both quite incredible to behold and effective. Even though the visuals are crucial to the outcome of the movie, the sound effects of the movie aren't to be messed with either. The movie manages to create several different rhythms and beats to serve as ominous background music, and it works. The music alone knows how to keep audiences' hearts racing, but when paired with what's going on-screen, it helps to create an artistic tale that needs to be showcased. Not only are the visuals and music something special, the plot of the movie is substantial and meaningful throughout. The beginning of the movie seamlessly introduces audiences to the violence that the cartel is capable of producing and introducing the characters on-screen. The middle of the movie actually manages to be one of the most suspenseful portions of the whole movie and magnificently progresses the plot along with some truly thrilling twists and turns that upgrade the mysterious aspects of the movie. The enticing ending of the movie proves to be both exhilarating and shocking, as the movie epically concludes in a manner that stays true to its beginning and remains dark and gritty. 

 Sicario benefits from a talented cast that shines. Josh Brolin does a fantastic job of portraying Matt Daver and showcasing the multi-dimensional character that has more emotion and intensity than most, and Emily Blunt gives a great portrayal of Kate Macy, demonstrating how lost the character truly feels is in this new world of violence. However, Benicio del Toro steals the spotlight with his marvelous performance as Alejandro, bringing out everything that the character possesses. His portrayal is dark, ruthless and viewers will simply not know what to expect from this mysterious character that appears to have more secrets than most. There's other strong performances, like Daniel Kaluuya's Reggie, but Benicio del Toro's Alejandro and Brolin's Matt are the only ones that stand out for being unbelievably spectacular. 

 Sicario captures a sense of charm in the dark, realistic world that it creates with helpings of grit. The movie conveys thought-provoking questions, like how far does the line move back when dealing with people that have no limits? Throughout its brutal story, the movie actually manages to create a work of art that excellently portrays the dangerous world of cartels with its menacing atmosphere. This is absolutely a must-see with a story that deserves to be told.