Tonight on Amazon: Rated 4 out of 5 This is the ultimate cartel thriller!

The border area between the US and Mexico has become lawless territory. Kate, an idealistic young FBI recruit, is enrolled in an elite task force led by a government agent in the fight against drug trafficking. Led by a mysterious consultant, the team embarks on an undercover journey that forces Kate to question her beliefs in order to survive…

Since the release of the movie Traffic 24 years ago (and already with Benicio del Toro!), there have been many works on the theme and background of drug trafficking and Mexican cartels; Let’s not forget, of course, the remarkable series Narcos: Mexico, which will run on Netflix from 2018 and will last for three seasons.

Former actor-turned-screenwriter Taylor Sheridan has signed off on a brilliant script for Sicario, literally ‘Hitman’ in Spanish, after gathering lots of paperwork. Unlike most films that deal with these themes, the main character of the story is a woman, inspired by a soldier she met in Texas. A point that immediately appealed to Canadian director Denis Villeneuve when he joined the project.

It’s the excellent Emily Blunt who lends her qualities to Kate Mercer, an idealistic young FBI recruit who is forced to question her beliefs in order to survive at the center of a drug bust. Backed by a very solid cast, the aforementioned Benicio Del Toro, but also Josh Brolin and Jon Bernthal, the actor navigates a very solidly staged thriller, always under tension, with a near-documentary aspect.

Sicario It would be rewarded three years later with a sequel, also very solid, this time orchestrated by Stefano Sollima. If Emily Blunt doesn’t play her part, we’ll get Benicio del Toro and Josh Brolin. Both Sicario and Sicario: Cartel War are available on Prime Video. A great opportunity to do a dual program! Still waiting for the distant Sicario 3, which del Toro is already burning to make.