While Taylor Sheridan has been busy expanding his Yellowstone empire with spin-offs like Marshals and Dutton Ranch, one of his earlier masterpieces is quietly dominating streaming charts. Sicario, the 2015 crime thriller directed by Denis Villeneuve, has found a new wave of popularity on Lionsgate+ in the UK, where it currently ranks as the third most-watched title. The film is also climbing PVOD charts internationally, proving that Sheridan's gritty storytelling has timeless appeal.
Long before Yellowstone made him a household name, Sheridan announced himself as a formidable screenwriter with Sicario. The film, which stars Emily Blunt as idealistic FBI agent Kate Macer, follows her recruitment into a covert task force after she witnesses the aftermath of a brutal cartel massacre in Arizona. As she delves deeper into the violent world of the U.S.-Mexico border, Kate confronts the harsh realities of the war on drugs. Villeneuve's direction, combined with Jóhann Jóhannsson's haunting score and Roger Deakins' stunning cinematography, created an atmospheric thriller that earned three BAFTA and three Academy Award nominations.
More than a decade after its release, Sicario continues to captivate audiences. Its recent streaming success is a testament to its enduring quality, especially as Sheridan's newer projects have drawn mixed reactions. Marshals, for instance, faced criticism for lacking the sharp storytelling and cinematic flair that define Sheridan's best work. For fans craving that signature intensity, Sicario remains a must-watch.
The film's resurgence also reignites interest in the long-awaited third installment. Sicario: Capos has been in development for years, but progress has stalled due to Sheridan's packed schedule as he builds his television universe. Josh Brolin, who stars alongside Benicio del Toro in the franchise, has hinted that Sheridan is still refining the script. Reports have also linked Christopher McQuarrie to the director's chair, though nothing is official yet. Given the film's continued popularity, a third chapter feels inevitable.
For those who haven't seen it, Sicario is a masterclass in tension and moral ambiguity. It's the first entry in Sheridan's unofficial "American Frontier" trilogy, which also includes Hell or High Water and Wind River. Unlike those films, Sicario spawned a sequel, Sicario: Day of the Soldado, which brought back Brolin and del Toro but missed Blunt's presence. Still, the original remains the gold standard.
As Sheridan continues to dominate television with shows like Lioness (Season 3 premieres August 2 on Paramount+), the streaming success of Sicario serves as a reminder of his roots in cinema. Whether you're revisiting it or discovering it for the first time, Sicario is a thriller that demands attention.
For more on Sheridan's universe, check out our coverage of Taylor Sheridan's 'Lioness' Season 3 and Denis Villeneuve's promise for 'Dune: Part Three'.
