The Sicario series returns with its third installment, Sicario 3: Capos (2024), directed by Stefano Sollima, who brings a gripping and visceral approach to this gritty and unflinching crime thriller. Continuing the story of corruption, violence, and moral ambiguity along the U.S.-Mexico border, the film delivers another intense narrative steeped in the dark realities of the drug trade. Starring Benicio del Toro, Josh Brolin, and new additions to the cast, Capos explores the shifting power dynamics within the cartel world and the personal toll of fighting a seemingly unwinnable war.

Set several years after the events of Sicario: Day of the Soldado (2018), Sicario 3: Capos follows Alejandro Gillick (Benicio del Toro) and Matt Graver (Josh Brolin) as they navigate the aftermath of their last mission and the evolving landscape of the cartel wars. When a new cartel, led by the ruthless and enigmatic Emilio Vargas (Gael García Bernal), rises to power and begins targeting U.S. operatives and infrastructure, the CIA recruits Graver to dismantle the organization.

Graver seeks out Alejandro, who has been living in hiding, to help take down Vargas. Despite their shared goal, Alejandro harbors personal motives rooted in revenge for the murder of his family, which Vargas’s cartel played a role in. Their mission grows increasingly complex as they enlist the help of a young DEA agent, Sofia Reyes (Ana de Armas), who is determined to expose the truth behind the CIA’s covert operations.

As Alejandro and Graver infiltrate Vargas’s organization, they uncover a dangerous alliance between the cartel and a rogue U.S. government faction, further blurring the lines between ally and enemy. With alliances strained and trust shattered, the team must confront their own moral limits while facing the full force of Vargas’s empire.

The action sequences in Sicario 3 are visceral and intense, showcasing the brutal realities of modern warfare. From stealthy infiltration missions to chaotic urban shootouts, the film maintains a relentless pace. Stefano Sollima’s direction emphasizes tension and unpredictability, with masterfully shot sequences that place viewers in the heart of the action.

The cinematography, helmed by Dariusz Wolski, captures the stark beauty and harsh realities of the borderlands. Wide shots of desolate landscapes are juxtaposed with claustrophobic interiors, heightening the sense of danger and unease. The atmospheric score by Hildur Guðnadóttir builds on the haunting musical legacy of the franchise, adding an unsettling layer of tension to every scene.