SICARIO: DAY OF THE SOLDADO – Official Trailer (HD)

Sicario: Day of the Soldado (2018), directed by Stefano Sollima, is the intense sequel to Sicario (2015), exploring the violent and morally complex world of the U.S.-Mexico border and the escalating war against drug cartels. The film stars Benicio del Toro as Alejandro Gillick and Josh Brolin as CIA operative Matt Graver, both reprising their roles from the first film. In this installment, the focus shifts from dismantling cartels to combating the smuggling of terrorists across the border, diving into darker themes and morally ambiguous decisions.

Plot Summary

The story follows Matt Graver and Alejandro Gillick as they’re enlisted by the U.S. government to incite a war among Mexican drug cartels. The new mission is driven by a recent wave of terrorist attacks linked to cartel smuggling operations, sparking fears of national security risks. To accomplish this, Matt and Alejandro kidnap Isabel Reyes (Isabela Moner), the young daughter of a powerful cartel boss, and make it appear as though a rival gang is responsible. However, the plan goes wrong, leaving Alejandro and Isabel on the run in Mexico, facing threats from both sides of the border.

As Matt deals with bureaucratic pressure from Washington, Alejandro wrestles with his conscience, particularly as he grows protective of Isabel. The mission quickly spirals into chaos, as both men confront the moral complexities and harsh realities of their chosen paths.

Performances

The performances of Benicio del Toro and Josh Brolin are central to the film’s gritty atmosphere.

• Benicio del Toro is a standout as Alejandro, the former prosecutor-turned-assassin haunted by the murder of his family. Del Toro brings depth to Alejandro’s internal conflict, delivering a nuanced portrayal of a man torn between revenge and redemption. His scenes with Isabel reveal a softer, more protective side, creating an emotional core that adds weight to the action.
• Josh Brolin returns as the ruthless Matt Graver, a CIA operative unafraid to employ brutal tactics. Brolin’s portrayal of Graver is hard-edged, cold, and willing to make difficult choices, embodying the uncompromising approach of the war on drugs. His performance highlights the moral ambiguity of his character, who is fiercely loyal to his mission but increasingly aware of its costs.

Isabela Moner, as Isabel Reyes, also delivers a strong performance, playing a vulnerable yet defiant teenager caught in a deadly power struggle. Her chemistry with del Toro’s Alejandro adds depth to the story, grounding the otherwise violent narrative with a sense of innocence.

Themes

Sicario: Day of the Soldado explores complex themes of morality, justice, and the consequences of violence.

• Moral Ambiguity: The film dives into the grey areas of warfare, particularly in its portrayal of the lengths to which government operatives are willing to go. Graver and Alejandro are tasked with morally questionable missions, highlighting the paradoxes in counter-terrorism strategies that involve compromising ethical boundaries for supposed national security.
• Cycle of Violence: Both characters are deeply entrenched in a cycle of violence. Alejandro, driven by vengeance, and Graver, motivated by loyalty to his mission, operate in a world where violence begets more violence. The film questions whether such actions can ever lead to peace, or if they only perpetuate conflict and suffering.
• Parenthood and Protection: Alejandro’s relationship with Isabel symbolizes a type of surrogate father-daughter dynamic, allowing him to confront the trauma of losing his family. His struggle to protect Isabel, despite the risk to himself, humanizes his character and offers a glimpse into his inner turmoil.