Outline:
Taylor Sheridan’s Return to the Sicario Franchise
Taylor Sheridan, known for his work on some of the most acclaimed television series, has made a return to the world of cinema with the sequel to one of the best action thrillers ever made. This time, it’s not a TV show but a movie that was quietly added to streaming services in January. The film is already climbing the streaming charts and has captured the attention of audiences worldwide.
Sheridan is perhaps best known for creating the Paramount series Yellowstone, Landman, 1923, and several other Yellowstone spin-offs that are set to come. However, his talents extend beyond television. He has written scripts for movies such as Hell or High Water and Wind River, which he also directed. Additionally, he contributed to Denis Villeneuve’s critically acclaimed film Sicario. Now, he returns to the Sicario universe with its sequel, Sicario: Day of the Soldado.
A New Chapter in the Sicario Story
Sicario: Day of the Soldado recently returned to streaming platforms, making it available for viewers to watch. The film is now among the most popular movies on Netflix, currently ranking seventh on the streamer’s global weekly chart. While Sheridan took on writing duties for the sequel, the director role was handed over to Stefano Sollima, as Denis Villeneuve moved on to other projects.
The cast includes Josh Brolin, who plays FBI agent Matt Graver, along with Benicio Del Toro and Jeffrey Donovan reprising their roles as Alejandro and Rennick, respectively. New additions to the cast include Isabela Merced from The Last of Us, Catherine Keener, and Matthew Modine.
Plot and Themes
The first Sicario film introduced Kate (played by Emily Blunt) to the U.S. war on drugs in Mexico. In contrast, the sequel shifts the focus to Matt Graver, who finds himself at the center of a new conflict. When Mexican cartels begin smuggling terrorists into the United States, Graver reteams with Alejandro to kidnap a cartel leader’s daughter. The official synopsis describes the situation:
“FBI agent Matt Graver calls on mysterious operative Alejandro Gillick when Mexican drug cartels start to smuggle terrorists across the U.S. border. The war escalates even further when Alejandro kidnaps a top kingpin’s daughter to deliberately increase the tensions. When the young girl is seen as collateral damage, the two men will determine her fate as they question everything that they are fighting for.”
Critical Reception
While Sicario: Day of the Soldado is considered a good crime thriller, it does not match the acclaim of the original film. The sequel received a 62% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with an audience score of 66%. This is significantly lower than the original Sicario, which earned a 91% rating on the same platform, with an 85% audience score.
Some fans of the original film have praised the sequel, with one Rotten Tomatoes user calling it “a masterpiece, just like the first film.” They argue that some viewers may not have had the patience to embrace the second part of the story, but they found it beautiful from start to finish. However, the general consensus is that the sequel falls short of the original in terms of impact and storytelling.
Why the Disappointment?
Critics and viewers alike point to a few key reasons why the sequel feels less impactful. The script is seen as less focused compared to the original, and much of the subtext and visual cinematic language that made Sicario so effective and tense are missing in the sequel. The film still delivers action and intrigue, but it lacks the depth and atmosphere that made the first film a standout in the genre.
Despite this, Sicario: Day of the Soldado remains a compelling entry in the franchise and is worth watching for fans of the original. It offers a different perspective on the ongoing conflict between law enforcement and drug cartels, while also exploring the moral complexities of the characters involved.