Controversial Sequel to Classic Movie Trending on Netflix: Worth the Watch?

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As I sat down to watch this latest film, I couldn’t help but notice its prominent position on Netflix’s Top 10 list. While this placement doesn’t guarantee it as the ultimate masterpiece, it does hint at one thing for certain – it’s stirring up quite a conversation among viewers. Intrigued, I decided to dive into this divisive sequel of a beloved classic, and now I can see why it’s capturing everyone’s attention.

At the time of its release in 2018, Sicario: Day of the Soldado landed as a mixed bag.

Without a doubt, matching Denis Villeneuve’s original masterpiece Sicario is quite a challenge due to its extraordinary status as a film from a visionary director. Seven years on, it’s high time for the sequel to escape the original’s impressive shadow. And judging by its current position on Netflix’s Top 10 charts, it seems that it might be achieving just that.

Sicario: Day of the Soldado Is Trending On Netflix

7 Years Later, Polarizing Sequel Finds New Life

Based on streaming statistics from FlixPatrol, Sicario: Day of the Soldado has been consistently ranking in Netflix’s Top 10 listings since its arrival on April 1st. Since then, this action-crime thriller has generated quite a stir, initially debuting at the third spot, and holding the fifth position for two consecutive days. As of April 7th, it continues to maintain its place in the top tier at the ninth spot. Currently, One of Them Days, The Life List, and Geostorm are leading the way among the most popular titles on Netflix.

In a different take, it seems that Denis Villeneuve’s absence from the Sicario sequel might have placed a challenge on the film and its creators. However, if audiences approach Day of the Soldado as an independent story that reuses characters and actors from the first movie, they might find it more enjoyable. It’s this alternative perspective that could have resonated with Netflix viewers, causing it to climb the Top 10 charts worldwide.

As a cinephile, I’d say that “Sicario: Day of the Soldado” was masterfully directed by Stefano Sollima, the man behind “Gomorrah”. The script was penned by Taylor Sheridan, who previously wrote the original “Sicario”, and then went on to create the “Yellowstone” universe with shows like “1883”, “1923”, and “Mayor of Kingstown”. However, without the artistic touch of Denis Villeneuve, Roger Deakins, or the late Jóhann Jóhannsson (whom the film is dedicated to), the movie’s atmosphere changed significantly. In their stead, Dariusz Wolski (of “The Martian”) took over cinematography duties, while Hildur Guðnadóttir, who later won an Oscar for “Joker”, handled the soundtrack.

What Is Sicario: Day of the Soldado About?

CIA Triggers Cartel War With Kidnapping

In “Day of the Soldado,” we find ourselves revisiting significant characters from the movie “Sicario,” namely CIA agent Matt Graver (Josh Brolin) and assassin Alejandro Gillick (Benicio del Toro). However, the character portrayed by Emily Blunt is no longer present. The plot takes an intriguing turn: it explores a hypothetical scenario where the U.S. government employs terrorism as a means to target Mexican drug cartels. This narrative shift was discussed by screenwriter Taylor Sheridan during the film’s development in 2017, as he shared with Collider.

If Sicario is a movie exploring the militarization of law enforcement and its blurred boundaries, this interpretation seems to disregard the law enforcement or policing aspect of it.

The CIA isn’t allowed to target drug cartels unless there’s a terrorism connection. However, if suspected terrorists cross the US-Mexico border, they seize the chance. Their strategy is to provoke a war between peaceful rival cartels by kidnapping a teenage girl who is the daughter of a cartel leader, pretending to save her. But, as you might expect, things quickly go awry.

As the girl understands the true situation unfolding, even the cartels eventually become aware. The mission rapidly shifts from tactics to sheer survival. A significant amount of tension arises due to government officials pulling the strings remotely, particularly Catherine Keener’s character, who leaves soldiers in the midst of a mission. Intriguingly, Alejandro develops a connection with the kidnapped girl, given his own tragic experience of losing a daughter to cartel brutality.

Sicario: Day of the Soldado’s Rotten Tomatoes Score & Critical Reception

Here’s an even more casual and conversational way to put it:

“When Sicario: Day of the Soldado came out, critics weren’t super impressed with it. It got a 62% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Not great, not terrible, but definitely didn’t live up to the original Sicario, which scored a solid 93%. The audiences seemed to feel the same way, as evidenced by its 66% rating on Popcornmeter. In short, most critics agreed that it wasn’t a standout film.

As a die-hard fan, I’d say that while it may not be as rebellious as its prequel, Sicario: Day of the Soldado delivers as a sleek, pulse-pounding action-thriller. However, its unapologetic portrayal of machismo can make for some dark and unsettling viewing.

Is Sicario 2 As Good As The First Movie?

Essentially, the film Sicario: Day of the Soldado divided fans due to its impressive acting, particularly Benicio del Toro’s performance, and intense action scenes reminiscent of the original. However, without Denis Villeneuve as director or Emily Blunt’s character present, a certain atmosphere or connection seemed lacking for some viewers.

Lionsgate attempted to transform the initial movie into a series, not strictly following the narrative but more like a collection of stories featuring shared characters. This was quite a daring approach. However, the film seems to have succumbed to typical action-thriller tropes and lost the eerie atmosphere that made the 2015 original so memorable. Nevertheless, Sicario: Day of the Soldado is still an engaging watch on Netflix.

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2025-04-08 17:54