A One Battle After Another Star Stole the Show in This Epic Action Thriller

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is quickly becoming known as one of the top films of 2025. This new, exciting action-thriller centers around Bob Ferguson, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, a past member of the revolutionary group called the French 75. He’s forced to revisit his dangerous history when his daughter is kidnapped by a former colleague. Having lost many of his abilities over time, Bob must use all his remaining strength and skill to save his daughter before his new enemy commits an awful act.

is getting fantastic reviews, largely because of its exciting action and great actors. Alongside DiCaprio is a talented group of well-known performers, including Sean Penn playing the bad guy, Colonel Stephen Lockjaw, and Regina Hall as Deandra, who is part of the French 75. One Battle After Another also stars Benicio del Toro, who delivers a memorable performance as Sergio St. Carlos, a teacher who assists Bob in his search for his daughter. This isn’t the first time del Toro has stood out even when sharing the screen with major stars in a popular action film. A decade before One Battle After Another, the celebrated actor captivated audiences with his role in a lesser-known thriller that boasted a remarkable cast and crew.

Benicio del Toro Steals the Show in Sicario

Before starring in Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another, Benicio del Toro made a memorable appearance in the action-thriller film Sicario. Released in 2015, Sicario centers on FBI Special Agent Kate Macer (Emily Blunt) and her mission to dismantle a powerful drug cartel operating in Mexico, led by the dangerous Fausto Alarcón. Macer is assigned to a specialized task force, joining a team of operatives carefully chosen for their unique skills. Among them is Alejandro Gillick, played by Benicio del Toro-a former prosecutor who became a skilled assassin after Alarcón’s actions led to the death of his family. The team faces immense danger as they attempt to complete their mission and return home safely. Sicario also features a strong supporting cast, including Josh Brolin, Daniel Kaluuya, Victor Garber, and Jon Bernthal. The film received widespread acclaim for its exciting action, Taylor Sheridan’s writing, and the direction of Denis Villeneuve (known for later directing films like Arrival and Dune). Even ten years after its release, Sicario maintains a high approval rating, with 92% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, an 85% audience score, and a 7.7/10 rating on IMDb.

Sicario isn’t just one of the best thrillers of the 2010s, but it also features some incredibly memorable acting. While Emily Blunt rightly earned recognition for playing Kate Macer, Benicio del Toro truly shines in the film. The celebrated actor imbues the character of Alejandro Gillick with a powerful presence, expertly capturing the complexities of the lawyer-turned-assassin. Gillick easily could have been a simple character just there to advance the story, but thanks to Sheridan’s writing and del Toro’s compelling performance, he becomes a nuanced portrayal of how grief and loss can affect a person. Gillick is a formidable and ruthless individual, yet the film also reveals the events that shaped him. The devastating loss of his family led him down a violent path with no return, even after achieving his revenge against Fausto Alarcón. Del Toro’s mysterious performance brings the character’s tragedy and fury to life, allowing viewers to not only understand Gillick but also to develop affection for him throughout the film.

How Alejandro Gillick Takes Over the Sicario Franchise

Benicio del Toro’s exceptional acting in Sicario completely reshaped the series. Following the strong reception of the first movie, a sequel was announced. However, the second film didn’t continue the story of Kate Macer; it shifted focus to Alejandro Gillick. Del Toro reprises his role in Sicario: Day of the Soldado, which centers on Gillick’s efforts to disrupt a human smuggling ring along the U.S.-Mexico border. During this operation, Gillick becomes involved in a complex scheme to escalate tensions between different cartel groups by abducting Isabel Reyes (Isabela Merced), the daughter of a major drug kingpin. Emily Blunt filmed scenes alongside the rest of the cast in the 2018 sequel, but her scenes didn’t make the final cut. Instead, Benicio del Toro leads the film with returning co-star Josh Brolin. Although Blunt’s absence was noticeable, it’s a testament to the studio and filmmakers’ confidence in Benicio del Toro’s character that they built the entire sequel around him.

The sequel unfortunately didn’t resonate with audiences as much as the first film. A key point of criticism was the absence of Emily Blunt, leaving fans wondering what happened to her character. The film also had a change in directors, with Denis Villeneuve not returning and Stefano Sollima taking over. Thankfully, Taylor Sheridan wrote the screenplay, which created a connection to both Day of the Soldado and the original Sicario. Reviews were mixed: Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 62% approval rating from critics and a 66% audience score – both significantly lower than the 2015 film. IMDb users were a bit more positive, giving it a 7.1 rating, not far behind Sicario‘s 7.7. Despite the criticisms, Benicio del Toro was praised for his performance as Alejandro Gillick, who remains a compelling and layered character in the Sicario series. Day of the Soldado still proved to be a moderate success at the box office, earning roughly the same amount as the first film despite a smaller budget.

Is Sicario 3 Still Happening?

Those who enjoy the films featuring Alejandro Gillick can remain optimistic that his story isn’t over yet. It’s been seven years since Sicario: Day of the Soldado, which might worry fans eager for a third movie. A sequel was actually announced before Day of the Soldado even came out, leading people to believe the next installment wouldn’t be far behind. However, by 2025, updates on the next film have been surprisingly scarce, causing some to question whether the project has been cancelled. Nevertheless, there’s still reason for hope, as Mission: Impossible writer and director Christopher McQuarrie is attached to write the script. Even with this good news, Sicario 3 appears to be quite a ways off, requiring fans to be patient as they wait to see Benicio del Toro return as the iconic Alejandro Gillick. Still, the fact that the film hasn’t been officially cancelled should be enough to keep fans hopeful while they continue to wait.

It appears Taylor Sheridan won’t have the same level of involvement in Sicario 3 as he did with the earlier films. He wrote the screenplays for both Sicario and Day of the Soldado, but he’s not currently working on the script for the new sequel. Sheridan has focused on other projects, including . He’s now a showrunner for several successful TV series and writes many of their episodes, meaning most of his time is dedicated to television. This likely explains reports that Christopher McQuarrie is taking over as the Sicario 3 lead writer. The delay in making the sequel could also be due to the difficulty of finding a writer who can effectively replace Sheridan, as his contribution is crucial to the film’s success.

Even though fans are eagerly awaiting the third movie in the popular Sicario series, there’s still content to keep them entertained. Benicio del Toro delivers another captivating and mysterious performance, just like he always does. Viewers might even notice similarities between his character, Alejandro Gillick, and Sergio St. Carlos in One Battle After Another.

One Battle After Another is now playing in theaters.

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2025-10-02 05:41