Denis Villeneuve's 2015 crime thriller "Sicario" is experiencing a significant resurgence on HBO Max, climbing into the streamer's top 10. The film, written by Taylor Sheridan, has found a new audience over a decade after its initial theatrical release. According to third-party tracker FlixPatrol, "Sicario" was hovering at the seventh spot on HBO Max's charts earlier in August and has since risen to sixth, indicating sustained interest in the film.
This renewed popularity comes as actor Jon Bernthal, who appears in a supporting role as Ted, the police officer boyfriend of Emily Blunt's character, is having a prominent year in Hollywood. Bernthal has recently starred in major summer films such as "The Odyssey" and "Spider-Man: Brand New Day." His visibility in these blockbusters appears to be driving audiences back to his earlier acclaimed work, including "Sicario."
"Sicario" stars Emily Blunt as FBI agent Kate Macer, who joins a covert government task force in a dangerous mission against a powerful Mexican drug cartel. The film explores morally complex territory as Macer works with CIA agent Matt Graver (Josh Brolin) and the enigmatic Alejandro Gillick (Benicio del Toro). Despite a relatively limited amount of screen time, Bernthal's performance has been noted as memorable.
Upon its release in 2015, "Sicario" garnered widespread critical acclaim, earning a 91% score on Rotten Tomatoes and three Academy Award nominations for Best Cinematography, Best Original Score, and Best Sound Editing. The 2018 sequel, "Sicario: Day of the Soldado," reunited Brolin and del Toro but did not achieve the same critical success as the original, particularly without Emily Blunt's return. While a third installment, reportedly titled "Sicario: Capos," has been in development, Bernthal's involvement is considered unlikely due to his character's limited role in the franchise.
Regardless of potential future installments, "Sicario's" current streaming success serves as a testament to its enduring quality and Bernthal's impact as a performer. The film remains available to stream on HBO Max.