With endless films and TV shows now competing for viewers’ attention, choosing something worth watching can sometimes feel harder than ever. But for anyone looking for a gripping thriller, one acclaimed film currently available on BBC iPlayer has left audiences saying they could barely take their eyes off the screen.
Released in 2015, Sicario has earned a devoted following thanks to its tense atmosphere, powerful performances and relentless suspense.
Emily Blunt and Benicio del Toro in Sicario (2015), now on BBC iPlayer(Image: Lionsgate)
A Dark Mission With More Than Meets the Eye
The title Sicario, meaning “hitman” in Spanish, follows FBI agent Kate Macer, played by Emily Blunt.
Kate is recruited by a mysterious government official, portrayed by Josh Brolin, to join a covert task force targeting a Mexican drug lord. But as the operation unfolds, she begins to realise that the mission is far more complicated — and morally troubling — than she was initially led to believe.
Working alongside a CIA handler and a mysterious fixer, Kate finds herself drawn into an operation that pushes far beyond conventional legal boundaries.
Benicio del Toro plays Alejandro Gillick, a former Mexican prosecutor who has become an assassin. His character plays a central role in the team’s efforts to pursue one cartel boss while uncovering a much larger criminal network.
The cast also includes Daniel Kaluuya as Reggie Wayne, a new FBI agent and Kate’s partner.
(Image: Lionsgate)
Acclaimed Director and Award Recognition
Sicario was directed by Denis Villeneuve, the filmmaker behind Arrival, Blade Runner 2049 and the Dune trilogy.
The film received three Oscar nominations for Best Cinematography, Original Score and Sound Editing.
It also holds a 93% score on Rotten Tomatoes, where critics praised the performances of Blunt and del Toro and described the film as a tightly constructed thriller with more on its mind than simply delivering dramatic action scenes.
Viewers Call It an Unforgettable Ride
(L-R) Daniel Kaluuya, Josh Brolin, Victor Garber and Emily Blunt star in Sicario
Audiences have been equally enthusiastic about the film, with many praising its ability to sustain tension from beginning to end.
One breathless review on Letterboxd described the experience as feeling like they had “held my breath for two hours straight,” calling the film “a RIDE.”
Another viewer said Sicario kept them on the edge of their seat from the opening moments, describing the film’s atmosphere as so intense that it barely allowed them a chance to relax.
An IMDb reviewer was similarly impressed, saying the thriller held their attention so completely that they never wanted to turn away from the screen.
The reviewer praised the film’s tightly constructed atmosphere, writing that it creates a constant sense that something could happen at any moment. They singled out one highway sequence as particularly immersive, saying it made them feel as though they were part of the action.
On Rotten Tomatoes, one fan called Sicario one of the best films ever made and said they had watched it many times. Another described it as a “masterpiece,” praising its casting, cinematography, direction, story and action, while highlighting Blunt’s performance as the driving force behind the film.
Where to Watch Sicario
The first two films in the Sicario series are available to watch on BBC iPlayer with a valid TV licence.
Benicio del Toro returned for the 2018 sequel, Sicario: Day of the Soldado, while the final instalment, Sicario: Capos, remains in development.
For thriller fans looking for a film packed with suspense and a story that refuses to let up, Sicario appears to be one that viewers still find impossible to look away from.
