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Sicario

Sicario is a 2015 American crime thriller film directed by Denis Villeneuve and written by Taylor Sheridan.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Sicario is a 2015 American crime thriller film directed by Denis Villeneuve and written by Taylor Sheridan. It stars Emily Blunt, Benicio del Toro, and Josh Brolin, and follows an FBI agent drawn into a covert task force targeting a Mexican drug cartel. The title is a Spanish word meaning “hitman” or “contract killer.”

Plot

The film follows a principled FBI agent who joins a government task force operating along the U.S.–Mexico border. As the operation escalates, she is exposed to covert tactics and moral ambiguity in the war on drugs.

Production

Sicario was directed by Denis Villeneuve from a screenplay by Taylor Sheridan. The film was produced in the United States and released in 2015.

Title meaning

The word sicario is used in Spanish to mean a hired killer or contract killer. The film’s title reflects its focus on cartel violence and criminal enforcement.

Reception and legacy

Sicario became one of Villeneuve’s best-known films and is often discussed for its tense atmosphere and depiction of border violence. It was followed by a sequel, Sicario: Day of the Soldado, in 2018.

Key facts

  • Sicario is a 2015 American crime thriller film directed by Denis Villeneuve.
  • The film stars Emily Blunt, Benicio del Toro, and Josh Brolin.
  • Its story centers on an FBI special agent working with a task force against a Mexican drug cartel.
  • The title refers to a hired killer and is derived from Spanish usage.
  • The film was followed by a 2018 sequel, Sicario: Day of the Soldado.
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Canadian context

The film was directed by Canadian filmmaker Denis Villeneuve, making it relevant to Canadian film audiences and readers interested in Canadian directors with international careers.

Frequently asked questions

What is Sicario?
Sicario is a 2015 American crime thriller film directed by Denis Villeneuve.
Who starred in Sicario?
The film stars Emily Blunt, Benicio del Toro, and Josh Brolin.
What does the title Sicario mean?
In Spanish, sicario means “contract killer” or “hitman.”
Who wrote Sicario?
The screenplay was written by Taylor Sheridan.
Is Sicario part of a series?
Yes. It was followed by the 2018 sequel Sicario: Day of the Soldado.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sicario_(2015_film)
    Supports: Director, writer, cast, release year, and plot summary of the 2015 film.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sicario
    Supports: Meaning of sicario and disambiguation showing the term’s Spanish usage.
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Sicario
    Supports: Identifies Sicario as a 2015 film by Denis Villeneuve.
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3397884/
    Supports: Cast and general film identification.