How Denis Villeneuve created one of the greatest characters of all time

Thanks for watching y’all - I love Denis Villeneuve so much I’ll probably end up doing a video on all of his movies at some point. We’ve already done Enemy and now Sicario - what should be next?

For me this is one of the best films ever made. As an example, the boarder crossing scene lasts just over 4 mins. Only 19 seconds has any action. It’s a masterclass in building tension, trained violence and failed policies

Even though there is never just one, you can look at Benicio in the eyes & tell him, “you’re one of the greatest actors alive”

Still to this day, Benicio not winning an Oscar for playing Alejandro is the biggest robbery of the 2010s.

I watched Sicario without knowing anything about it. I was blown away. The climax literally shocked me. It's in my top 10. The ambient soundtrack fits so well. The movie is so minimalist and so raw.

Sicario is truly a masterpiece. Del Toro's performance is one of the best of the decade.

" Less is more " and " show, don't tell " are the two most important things when narrating a story. Sicario proves that perfectly with Alejandro.

I remember the feeling in the theater, which I was admittedly a part of, where the audience wanted Alejandro to kill his family in front of him. It was literally cathartic for the viewer when he killed his children and wife, I'll be the first to admit. Denis builds and builds to that moment and you realize you're rooting for a child-murderer, tricking the audience into losing their humanity -- a central theme of the film.

A one year old video and this dude is still answering and liking comments. Now that is a great man.

The “go ahead and finish your meal” then proceeding to just finish him without him taking a bite out is perfect cinema.

Benicio is often down here in PR. The man never refuses a picture with fans and is always well mannered, calm and warm with them. We're all so very proud of him. Giant.

Alejandro isn’t supposed to be a “good or bad person” he is well past that. He is no longer human, he’s the manifestation of the dehumanizing effects of the “War on Drugs” and its consequences for the everyday folks who fight it.

Technical advising on this film was the best ever seen, Denis' willingness to change the script according to the professionals who gave Del Toro advice was the difference between this film and all others.

Alejandro’s backstory being left in mostly mystery, makes the film all the more interesting.

The cinematography in this movie is mesmerizing!

Benicio´s eyes alone can tell you a story worth more than a thousand words. Perfect fit for the role. Great collabo between Villeneuve and Benicio. That combo can´t miss!

I 100% agree that cutting all of the dialogue they did for Alejandro was the right move. I also know that having someone like Del Toro playing the character influences that decision. His physical performance is an absolute masterpiece. He makes this film.

The best part of the film is when he leaves her apartment; turns around and lets her take the shot. He doesn’t tell her that if she pulls the trigger she becomes him. But she understands, and relents thereby saving her humanity.

A scene that I can’t help but think of around this discussion is the scene with the deaf farmer in the second movie. I never get past their exchange without choking on tears. The grief, the tenderness, the intrusion of single-minded violence on what Del Toro’s character used to be, the tension in the farmer’s compassion for the girl and Del Toro’s intensely grey morality in the moment— gets me every time.

Sicario remains one of my favourite films. Alejandro is a very real character to me. His journey for vengeance is...epic. A few months on from my post i have thought some more about Alejandro and his journey. It is NOT a heroes journey, no passage through darkness into the light, justice did not champion evil...no Alejandro's journey remains in darkness. If they ever do a third film i wonder what more can they do with his character...he has no way back to a 'life' and death for him would be the peace he desires.