The Rewatchables

'Sicario' With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Sean Fennessey

March 3, 2026

Key Takeaways Copied to clipboard!

  • Chris Ryan considers *Sicario* his favorite Denis Villeneuve film and compares its structure and thematic descent to *Apocalypse Now*, noting its continued relevance. 
  • The film's success is attributed to its visual storytelling, with director Denis Villeneuve prioritizing images and moments over dialogue, a decision that significantly benefited Benicio del Toro's mysterious character. 
  • The border crossing sequence during the trip to Juarez is highlighted as one of the most tense and rewatchable action set pieces of the 21st century, rivaling scenes from *Heat* and *The Dark Knight*. 
  • The hosts agree that the film's focus on rooting for border-crossing paramilitary squads and the surprise at CIA involvement feels distinctly characteristic of the 2015 political climate. 
  • The cinematography, particularly the transition from brilliant sunlight to unrelenting darkness, is highlighted as a key element that has aged exceptionally well in 'Sicario'. 
  • Taylor Sheridan's writing is praised for being incisive regarding systemic problems like the drug war subsuming the American military, even if his explanations can sometimes be overly detailed. 
  • The hosts debated minor nitpicks in the film's authenticity, such as the character Kate Macer immediately smoking after a near-strangulation and the convenience of Alejandro's plan succeeding due to fortunate timing (like the target being at dinner). 
  • The discussion concluded that Taylor Sheridan, as the screenwriter, was the biggest 'winner' of the movie due to the film jumpstarting his highly successful career, despite some hosts feeling his dialogue was sometimes too overt in the script compared to the final cut. 
  • The hosts agreed that the film's ending, where nothing is fixed and the status quo remains, is a strong point, and they praised Denis Villeneuve's direction, particularly his masterful aerial and drone cinematography. 

Segments

Initial Film Details & CR Month
Copied to clipboard!
(00:51:51)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts confirm the film’s release date and note the unusual 2015 simultaneous release of three original adult dramas.
  • Summary: Sicario was released on September 19, 2015, the same weekend as The Martian and The Walk. This marked a rare instance where three original adult dramas opened wide against each other in 2015. The hosts acknowledge that The Martian was the more commercial choice at the time.
Taylor Sheridan’s Screenwriting Debut
Copied to clipboard!
(00:52:24)
  • Key Takeaway: Taylor Sheridan’s debut screenplay for Sicario was significantly trimmed by the director, particularly cutting dialogue from Benicio del Toro’s character.
  • Summary: Taylor Sheridan, a frustrated actor at the time, wrote Sicario as his first feature screenplay, which launched an impactful writing career. Denis Villeneuve cut 90% of the dialogue intended for Benicio del Toro’s character, believing silence enhanced his mystery. The script contained much more dialogue and exposition than the final film, including a dream sequence for Del Toro’s character.
Character Roles and Apocalypse Now Comparison
Copied to clipboard!
(00:05:07)
  • Key Takeaway: The film’s structure mirrors Apocalypse Now, positioning Benicio del Toro as the Kurtz figure and Emily Blunt as the bewildered observer, Martin Sheen’s character.
  • Summary: The visceral peak of Sicario occurs around the 31-minute mark, similar to the ‘Flight of the Valkyrie’ scene in Apocalypse Now. Benicio del Toro’s character functions as the enigmatic Kurtz, while Emily Blunt’s Kate Mercer mirrors Martin Sheen’s descent into moral ambiguity. Josh Brolin embodies the manic, reveling Kilgore character from the comparison film.
Kate Mercer’s Character Analysis
Copied to clipboard!
(00:50:48)
  • Key Takeaway: Emily Blunt’s character, Kate Mercer, functions as the audience’s cipher, but she is ultimately not the hero, and her character’s morality in the final third is questioned.
  • Summary: Kate Mercer is viewed as a cipher, similar to Clarice Starling in Silence of the Lambs, but she is broken down by the end of the film. Some producers initially requested that Kate be written as a man, but Taylor Sheridan resisted changing the gender of the powerful female character. Her participation in the border shootout seals her complicity with Graver and Alejandro’s methods.
Benicio del Toro’s Performance and Impact
Copied to clipboard!
(00:52:24)
  • Key Takeaway: Benicio del Toro is the titular character, elevating the film through minimal acting, powerful gestures, and significant script contributions that emphasized his silence.
  • Summary: Del Toro is considered the true focus of Sicario, despite Emily Blunt being the perspective character. He is praised as a daring actor who actively shapes his roles, having convinced Villeneuve to drastically cut his dialogue. His few memorable lines, such as telling Kate she is not a wolf but in a land of wolves, are highly impactful.
Josh Brolin’s Career Trajectory
Copied to clipboard!
(00:53:04)
  • Key Takeaway: Josh Brolin’s charismatic performance as Matt Graver in Sicario marked a significant upward turn in his career following a long period of inconsistent roles.
  • Summary: Brolin’s role as Matt Graver is cited as his favorite performance, showcasing charisma and dangerous unpredictability while maintaining a casual demeanor, exemplified by his ability to sleep anywhere. His career trajectory improved significantly after roles like No Country for Old Men, leading to his later casting as Thanos. Brolin’s success is contrasted with the pitfalls often faced by 1980s child actors like himself.
Cinematography and Visual Style
Copied to clipboard!
(00:53:35)
  • Key Takeaway: Roger Deakins’ cinematography is deemed exceptional, particularly in the night-vision tunnel sequence, which is described as a visual flex reminiscent of a gym workout.
  • Summary: The film’s visual style, shared between Villeneuve and cinematographer Roger Deakins, is highly praised, with Deakins’ work being called ‘out of his fucking mind.’ The composition in scenes, like framing shots behind Matt Brolin’s head during exposition, effectively conveys character dynamics and tension. The infrared tunnel sequence is noted for its masterful use of light and composition to make soldiers disappear into the dusk.
Most Rewatchable Scenes
Copied to clipboard!
(00:53:40)
  • Key Takeaway: The border crossing sequence is unanimously selected as the most rewatchable scene, representing a masterclass in building tension within an action set piece.
  • Summary: The opening scene, featuring the massive explosion and subsequent discovery of bodies in the wall, is highly rewatchable for its immediate shock value. The border crossing sequence, involving the convoy entering Juarez and the subsequent shootout, is considered one of the greatest action scenes of the century. The tension in the traffic jam scene is palpable due to the clear spatial awareness, environmental details, and Kate’s uncertainty.
2015 Elements and Aging
Copied to clipboard!
(00:53:26)
  • Key Takeaway: Rooting for extra-jurisdictional soldier squads attempting to end narcoterrorism with excessive force is cited as a distinctly 2015 sentiment.
  • Summary: The hosts identified rooting for pirate soldier squads fighting narcoterrorism as a specific 2015 mindset that feels less contemporary now. Another 2015 element was the capacity to be scandalized by shadowy US government elements, specifically surprise at CIA involvement. The proximity of the film’s release date to 9/11 (14 years) was noted as a surprising temporal observation.
Cinematography and Character Introductions
Copied to clipboard!
(00:54:53)
  • Key Takeaway: The film’s cinematography masterfully mirrors the narrative arc, moving from brilliant sunlight to unrelenting darkness, culminating in gray tones reflecting the story’s conclusion.
  • Summary: The visual progression from the bright opening bombing scene to the dark tunnel sequence and the final gray palette perfectly matches the story’s thematic descent. Character introductions are lauded, specifically Kate’s soldier-like behavior in the truck, Matt’s intellectual direction, and Alejandro’s obscured first appearance.
Taylor Sheridan’s Thematic Accuracy
Copied to clipboard!
(00:55:50)
  • Key Takeaway: Sheridan’s recurring themes concerning drug cartels subverting power structures have aged accurately, demonstrating his incisive grasp of contemporary American problems.
  • Summary: The theme of drug cartels running countries and subverting power structures remains highly relevant. Sheridan is recognized for tackling significant national issues—like the drug war’s impact on the military—in his work, even if his explanations sometimes overcomplicate the narrative. His work from this period is seen as particularly on point regarding current events.
Title and Info Card Quality
Copied to clipboard!
(00:57:59)
  • Key Takeaway: The title ‘Sicario’ is considered excellent, and the use of opening info cards is a reliable indicator of a well-crafted action film.
  • Summary: The title ‘Sicario’ has entered the lexicon, and the film’s opening info cards signal quality filmmaking. Small details, like Brolin wearing sandals or the crooked cop adding liquor to his coffee, enhance authenticity.
Bernthal’s Dual Role Performance
Copied to clipboard!
(00:59:04)
  • Key Takeaway: Jon Bernthal excels at playing characters who oscillate between being a good guy and a bad guy within the same film, utilizing a ‘good old boy’ energy with underlying malevolence.
  • Summary: Bernthal’s performance as Ted is praised for its ambiguity, making it unclear if he intends to kill Kate during their confrontation. His ability to swing between likable and menacing is noted as a recurring strength in his filmography, including his role in Wind River.
The Tunnel Sequence and Score
Copied to clipboard!
(01:01:00)
  • Key Takeaway: The Juarez border crossing sequence is a masterclass in escalating tension, and the accompanying score by Jóhann Jóhannsson is essential to the film’s success.
  • Summary: The border crossing scene is broken down into seven escalating ‘Okay, motherfucker’ levels of tension, starting with Alejandro’s Cartagena origin and culminating in the shootout. The score, specifically requested to be scary like Jaws, is deemed indispensable, with the hosts noting the film would fail without its specific musical texture.
Listener-Voted Awards
Copied to clipboard!
(01:02:12)
  • Key Takeaway: The introduction of the ‘Floyd Gondali’ award celebrates niche viewer enjoyment, exemplified by the love for any mention of a potential tunnel in drug-related films.
  • Summary: A new listener-submitted award category was introduced to highlight subtle moments that resonate uniquely with individual viewers. Bill’s selection for the ‘Floyd Gondali Award’ was the mere mention of a tunnel in a drug movie, signifying a desire for that specific plot device. Sean’s personal preference involved the visual trope of a man wearing a bulletproof vest with large horn-rimmed glasses.
Weak Link and Dense Plotting
Copied to clipboard!
(01:07:12)
  • Key Takeaway: The film’s primary weak link is the density of its plot mechanics, requiring multiple viewings to fully grasp the CIA/FBI jurisdictional dynamics explained late in the narrative.
  • Summary: The necessity of understanding the CIA’s inability to operate domestically without FBI oversight makes the first viewing challenging. Victor Garber’s exposition scene, while perfectly acted, arrives late, leaving the audience to piece together the semi-legal task force structure. Kate’s insistence on reporting the illegal actions immediately after surviving the tunnel is also cited as a minor narrative flaw.
Emily Blunt’s Smoking Portrayal
Copied to clipboard!
(01:09:56)
  • Key Takeaway: Emily Blunt’s on-screen smoking in Sicario was distracting because it felt inauthentic to the character, despite her being a smoker in real life.
  • Summary: The way Blunt lit and handled the cigarette felt unconvincing, contrasting sharply with the film’s overall authenticity. The hosts noted that this detail reminded them of Blunt’s real-life persona rather than the character Kate Macer. The scene was contrasted with the authentic detail of the Wild Pony Bar’s location.
Brolin’s Career Apex and Cartel Genre
Copied to clipboard!
(01:35:09)
  • Key Takeaway: Josh Brolin’s role as Thanos in the MCU is considered his career apex, surpassing his performance in Sicario due to the massive scale of the Avengers films.
  • Summary: While Sicario is a high point, Brolin’s ubiquity as the voice and motion capture for Thanos in Infinity War gives him the edge in terms of overall success. The competition for the best cartel movie includes Scarface and Traffic, with Scarface winning due to its longer cultural tail. Benicio Del Toro is recognized as a legendary, quiet ‘stick man’ whose dating history is surprisingly extensive.
Bar Order Nitpicks
Copied to clipboard!
(01:42:04)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts questioned the authenticity of the character Kate Macer ordering only two beers at the bar.
  • Summary: The hosts debated the plausibility of the drink order given to Kate Macer at the bar scene. They speculated that the character, given her circumstances, would likely prefer hard liquor like tequila shots or Boilermakers alongside light beers. This critique was framed as an issue with the film’s Prop Master rather than the narrative.
Kate’s Appearance Post-Trauma
Copied to clipboard!
(01:43:02)
  • Key Takeaway: The visual depiction of Kate Macer immediately after her near-death experience, including smoking, was questioned for its realism.
  • Summary: The hosts noted Kate Macer’s haggard appearance, dark circles, and oily hair following her encounter with Bernthal’s character. They specifically questioned the timing of her smoking a cigarette immediately afterward, though one host countered that smokers often reach for cigarettes after intense stress. Ultimately, the fact that she still looked like Emily Blunt was deemed the overriding factor.
Tunnel Scene Legalities Nitpicks
Copied to clipboard!
(01:43:28)
  • Key Takeaway: The necessity of Kate signing a document in the tunnel scene was deemed strategically weak given the prior assertion of unchecked authority.
  • Summary: A major nitpick involved Alejandro forcing Kate to sign a document confirming legality, despite Victor Garber’s character having already stated they possess absolute authority. The hosts argued that Alejandro could have easily doctored the document or that the entire reliance on her signature was illogical. Furthermore, Matt allowed her to leave despite her threat to expose the operation.
Ted and Alejandro’s Plans
Copied to clipboard!
(01:44:50)
  • Key Takeaway: The underlying plans for secondary characters like Ted and Alejandro relied on highly fortunate coincidences rather than solid strategy.
  • Summary: Ted’s plan to seduce Kate for cartel information was questioned regarding his luck in meeting her through her friend Reggie. Similarly, Alejandro’s plan to capture Manuel relied on the assumption that Silvio would conveniently be at the tunnel exit with cars. These elements were identified as mistakes made when writing a film that is subsequently rewatched many times.
Unanswerable Questions and Memorabilia
Copied to clipboard!
(01:51:28)
  • Key Takeaway: The worst Halloween costume related to the film would be dressing as the body bags hidden in the wall.
  • Summary: The hosts debated unanswerable questions regarding Kate’s future, including whether she remarried or took a desk job selling knitting on Etsy. They settled on the body bags from the wall as the worst potential costume, contrasting it with more common choices like the Grady twins from The Shining. The preferred piece of memorabilia to own was the rubber band from the bank robbery.
Best Double Feature and Winner
Copied to clipboard!
(01:53:35)
  • Key Takeaway: The best double feature pairing for Sicario is Fast Five, leading to Taylor Sheridan being declared the movie’s ultimate winner.
  • Summary: The suggested double feature was starting with Fast Five as the happier, entertaining version of a tunnel/heist movie before watching Sicario. Taylor Sheridan was named the winner because the film launched his career trajectory, making him one of the most powerful figures in entertainment, despite some feeling his screenwriting talent is now being wasted on numerous projects.
Villeneuve’s Direction and Runtime
Copied to clipboard!
(01:59:14)
  • Key Takeaway: Denis Villeneuve’s direction, especially his aerial shots, elevates Sicario to near-perfection, and the film’s tight two-hour runtime is remarkable for the genre.
  • Summary: The film’s runtime of exactly two hours was noted as exceptional for a modern drama of this type, which often exceeds two hours and twenty-five minutes. Villeneuve’s aerial shots, such as the shadow of the jet rippling over the landscape, are considered unmatched in contemporary cinema. The hosts agreed that the film’s deliberate pacing and subtext are better appreciated upon repeat viewings.
CR Month Schedule Update
Copied to clipboard!
(02:02:12)
  • Key Takeaway: The current ‘CR Month’ schedule includes Fargo, To Live and Die in L.A., and L.A. Confidential, with Heat and Aliens being held for later.
  • Summary: The hosts confirmed that Fargo is next, followed by To Live and Die in L.A., which Sean Fennessey is excited about despite his busy schedule. They decided against Hunt for October and Aliens for this month, saving Aliens for an anniversary event in the summer. Chris Ryan has the final decision-making power for the remaining slots.