100+ Movies like Sicario
Sicario: Day of the Soldado
"Sicario: Day of the Soldado" is a direct sequel to "Sicario" that follows a similar premise and narrative structure. Both films center around CIA operative Matt Graver and the mysterious Alejandro Gillick carrying out covert operations against Mexican drug cartels, blurring the lines between law and morality. The sequel continues the theme of escalating violence and the U.S. government's questionable tactics in the war on drugs, with Graver and Gillick tasked with instigating a conflict between rival cartels. Like the first film, the plot involves kidnapping a cartel leader's family member as leverage, leading to intense action sequences and moral dilemmas for the characters. Alejandro Gillick remains a central figure, driven by personal vengeance against the cartels, while the films explore the consequences of the U.S. government's shadowy operations and the toll they take on those involved.
Once Upon a Time in Mexico
Both "Sicario" and "Once Upon a Time in Mexico" involve a complex web of corruption, violence, and the war on drugs spanning the U.S.-Mexico border. In both films, a law enforcement agent (Kate Macer in "Sicario", El Mariachi in "Once Upon a Time in Mexico") is recruited by a shadowy government operative (Matt Graver and Alejandro in "Sicario", Sands in "Once Upon a Time in Mexico") to take down a powerful Mexican drug cartel. The missions involve crossing into Mexico, confronting corrupt officials and military, and ultimately assassinating the cartel leaders. The films explore the moral ambiguity of these operations, with the protagonists forced to confront extreme violence and question the true motives behind their missions. Themes of revenge, loss, and the cyclical nature of the drug war are central to both stories.
Traffic
Both "Sicario" and "Traffic" explore the complex and morally ambiguous world of the war on drugs, with a focus on the corruption and violence surrounding the drug cartels. The movies follow law enforcement agents who become entangled in operations aimed at disrupting the cartels' operations, only to uncover deeper layers of corruption and ulterior motives within their own agencies. In "Sicario", Kate Macer joins a covert task force led by the CIA with the stated goal of apprehending a cartel lieutenant, but the true mission is to assassinate the cartel leader to allow the U.S. to control the drug trade. Similarly, in "Traffic", Javier Rodriguez is recruited by General Salazar to take down the Obregón cartel, but Salazar's real aim is to eliminate the competition for the rival Juárez Cartel he secretly works for. Both films depict the brutal methods employed by the cartels and the moral compromises made by the law enforcement agents in their pursuit of the cartels. The protagonists, Kate and Javier, witness firsthand the violence and corruption, leading them to question the ethics of their missions and the true motives of their superiors. The movies also explore the personal toll of the drug war, with Kate and Robert Wakefield's family life being impacted by their involvement in the operations and their daughter's drug addiction, respectively. The cyclical nature of the drug trade and the futility of the war on drugs are central themes in both films.
Sabotage
Both "Sicario" and "Sabotage" revolve around elite law enforcement teams that become entangled in the violent world of Mexican drug cartels. The teams are tasked with disrupting cartel operations, but their missions take a dark turn as they cross ethical lines and engage in illegal activities themselves. Key similarities include: - The teams are comprised of highly skilled agents/officers who use extreme tactics against the cartels - They steal money or valuables from the cartels during operations, leading to internal conflicts and betrayals within the teams - The missions involve crossing into Mexico and working with shady figures connected to the cartels - Team members are systematically killed off, often in brutal cartel-style executions, as the stakes escalate - The leaders (Alejandro in "Sicario", Breacher in "Sabotage") have personal vendettas driving their ruthless actions against the cartels - The plots explore the moral ambiguity of fighting fire with fire against the cartels and the toll it takes on the protagonists
Machete
Both "Sicario" and "Machete" explore the gritty world of Mexican drug cartels and their operations across the U.S.-Mexico border. The movies follow a central character - Kate Macer in "Sicario" and Machete Cortez in "Machete" - who gets drawn into a covert operation against the cartels, involving morally ambiguous government agents and brutal violence. The protagonists witness the ruthless tactics employed by the cartels as well as the questionable methods used by the government forces to combat them. Both movies depict the blurred lines between law enforcement and criminal organizations, with characters forced to confront the ethical dilemmas of their missions. The plots revolve around disrupting cartel operations, assassinating high-level targets, and uncovering corruption within law enforcement agencies. Ultimately, the movies portray the harsh realities of the drug war and the lengths to which different factions will go to gain power and control.
The Devil's in the Details
Both "The Devil's in the Details" and "Sicario" center around ordinary individuals who become entangled in the dangerous world of Mexican drug cartels and the extreme measures taken by government agencies to combat them. In "Sicario", FBI agent Kate Macer is recruited into a secret task force aimed at disrupting a powerful cartel, while in "The Devil's in the Details", Thomas Conrad, a former soldier suffering from PTSD, is manipulated into assisting a criminal operation against a cartel. The movies explore the moral ambiguity and brutality involved in the war on drugs, with the protagonists witnessing and being forced to participate in extreme violence. They also delve into the psychological toll this takes, with Kate and Thomas both struggling with the traumatic events they experience. A key similarity is the presence of a shadowy operative, Alejandro in "Sicario" and Bill Duffy in "The Devil's in the Details", who operates outside the law and employs ruthless tactics to achieve their goals against the cartels. Both movies depict how the lines between law enforcement and criminal activity become blurred in this brutal conflict.
A Man Apart
Both "Sicario" and "A Man Apart" follow a similar narrative arc of law enforcement agents pursuing powerful drug cartels and their leaders. The protagonists, Kate Macer in "Sicario" and Sean Vetter in "A Man Apart", are drawn into morally ambiguous operations against the cartels, involving extrajudicial methods and violence. They are guided by shadowy figures, Alejandro in "Sicario" and Memo Lucero in "A Man Apart", who have personal vendettas against the cartels. The films explore the blurred lines between law and criminality in the war on drugs, as the protagonists are forced to confront the brutal realities of combating the cartels. Ultimately, both movies depict the protagonists' disillusionment with the system and their struggle to maintain their principles in the face of overwhelming corruption and violence.
Machete Kills
Both "Sicario" and "Machete Kills" involve a protagonist drawn into a covert operation against powerful drug cartels and corrupt officials. The missions are orchestrated by shadowy government agencies with ulterior motives beyond simply stopping the cartels. The protagonists, Kate Macer and Machete Cortez, are manipulated and used as pawns in these operations, witnessing extreme violence and moral compromises. Ruthless assassins, Alejandro Gillick and Machete, are central characters carrying out the dirty work. The films explore themes of blurred lines between law and criminality, the cyclical nature of violence, and the dehumanizing effects of the drug war. Both climax with the assassins carrying out brutal vengeance against cartel leaders, achieving their personal goals at great moral cost.
El Infierno
Both "Sicario" and "El Infierno" explore the brutal realities of the drug war and the lengths government agencies will go to disrupt cartel operations. The protagonists, Kate Macer and Benjamin "Benny" García, are drawn into shadowy operations against powerful drug cartels, witnessing extreme violence and moral compromises. They are manipulated by government forces, represented by Matt Graver/Alejandro Gillick and Don José Reyes, who employ ruthless tactics like torture and assassination to achieve their goals. The films depict the cyclical nature of the drug trade, with the aim of controlling rather than eliminating it. Themes of family, loyalty, and the personal costs of the drug war are central to both stories. The protagonists struggle with the ethical dilemmas of their involvement and the blurring of lines between law enforcement and criminal activity.
The Line
Both "Sicario" and "The Line" revolve around a veteran operative being recruited for a covert mission to disrupt a powerful Mexican drug cartel. The missions involve assassinating key cartel leaders, with the operatives being manipulated by their superiors who have a hidden agenda of destabilizing the cartels for their own interests. The films explore themes of moral ambiguity, the cyclical nature of violence, and the blurred lines between law enforcement and criminal organizations. The protagonists are disillusioned by the brutality they witness and the realization that they are mere pawns in a larger game of power and control.
Seized
Both "Sicario" and "Seized" follow a similar plot structure where a highly skilled operative (Kate Macer in "Sicario", Nero in "Seized") is drawn into a covert operation by shadowy government/intelligence forces to disrupt and eliminate powerful criminal organizations. They are tasked with carrying out violent missions against cartel members, with the true motive being to destabilize the cartels for geopolitical reasons. The operatives are manipulated and used as pawns, with their loved ones (Kate's partner Reggie, Nero's son Taylor) held as leverage. The films explore themes of moral ambiguity, the cyclical nature of violence, and the blurred lines between law enforcement and criminality. Both climax with the operative confronting the mastermind behind the operation and being forced to either accept the brutal reality or resist, with the implication that the cycle of violence will continue.
600 Miles
Both "Sicario" and "600 Miles" explore the gritty world of Mexican drug cartels and their operations across the U.S.-Mexico border. The movies follow law enforcement agents who become entangled in dangerous cartel activities, blurring the lines between legal and illegal actions. Key similarities include: - An American law enforcement agent is unexpectedly drawn into a covert operation involving Mexican cartels, with the true motives of their superiors being unclear. - The agent is taken across the border into Mexico against their will, witnessing the brutal violence of the cartels firsthand. - A central character is a former cartel member or associate who now works with American agencies, providing insider knowledge but also employing ruthless tactics. - The movies depict the complex power dynamics and shifting alliances within the cartels, as well as the corruption that permeates law enforcement and government agencies on both sides of the border. - Moral ambiguity and the question of how far one is willing to go to achieve their goals are central themes, with the protagonists being forced to compromise their principles in the pursuit of their missions.
Desert Saints
Both "Sicario" and "Desert Saints" involve law enforcement agents pursuing dangerous individuals connected to drug cartels. The main characters are drawn into morally ambiguous operations with questionable motives, where the lines between right and wrong become blurred. They feature ruthless assassins (Alejandro in "Sicario" and Arthur Banks in "Desert Saints") who are hired to carry out hits for the cartels. The plots revolve around complex sting operations and undercover missions to infiltrate the cartels, with the agents facing difficult ethical choices and personal risks. Themes of violence, corruption, and the lengths to which law enforcement will go to combat the cartels are central to both films. The stories also explore the psychological toll these operations take on the agents involved.
Sniper: Ultimate Kill
Both "Sicario" and "Sniper: Ultimate Kill" involve law enforcement agents pursuing powerful drug cartels and their leaders operating across the U.S.-Mexico border. The plots center around a task force, including American and Mexican operatives, using extreme and morally ambiguous methods to disrupt the cartels' operations and assassinate key figures. The films explore the brutal realities of the drug war, the blurred lines between law enforcement and criminal actions, and the personal toll on those involved in such operations. The main characters are caught between their duty and their moral principles as they witness the ruthless tactics employed against the cartels.
Walking Tall: Lone Justice
Both "Sicario" and "Walking Tall: Lone Justice" involve law enforcement agents becoming entangled in dangerous operations against powerful drug cartels and criminal organizations. The main characters, Kate Macer in "Sicario" and Kate Jensen in "Walking Tall," are initially unaware of the true nature of the missions they are involved in, which turn out to be extrajudicial operations aimed at disrupting and eliminating cartel leadership. They witness extreme violence and corruption, including from within their own ranks, as they are drawn deeper into the shadowy world of covert operations against the cartels. The movies explore themes of moral ambiguity, the blurring of lines between law enforcement and criminal activity, and the personal toll of such high-stakes operations on the protagonists.
Collateral Damage
Both "Sicario" and "Collateral Damage" revolve around the theme of the war on drugs and the extreme measures taken by government agencies to combat powerful drug cartels. The plots follow an outsider protagonist (Kate Macer in "Sicario", Gordon Brewer in "Collateral Damage") who gets drawn into a covert operation against a major drug cartel leader (Manuel Díaz/Fausto Alarcón in "Sicario", Claudio Perrini in "Collateral Damage"). The operations involve working with a morally ambiguous operative (Alejandro in "Sicario", Peter Brandt in "Collateral Damage") who uses brutal tactics like torture and assassination to achieve their goals. Both movies explore the ethical dilemmas of fighting fire with fire and the collateral damage caused by the war on drugs, with the protagonists struggling to reconcile their principles with the harsh realities they face. The cartels are depicted as powerful criminal organizations with vast resources and reach, necessitating extreme measures from the government agencies. Ultimately, the operations succeed in taking down the cartel leaders, but at a significant personal and moral cost to the protagonists.
The Marksman
Both "Sicario" and "The Marksman" explore the gritty world of the Mexican drug cartels and their operations across the U.S.-Mexico border. The protagonists, Kate Macer in "Sicario" and Jim Hanson in "The Marksman", find themselves reluctantly drawn into dangerous situations involving Mexican cartels and human trafficking. They are tasked with transporting a vulnerable individual (Kate with a cartel informant, Jim with a young boy) to safety while being pursued by ruthless cartel members. The films depict the brutal violence and corruption associated with the cartels, including corrupt law enforcement officials aiding the cartels. The protagonists are forced to confront moral dilemmas and the harsh realities of the drug trade, ultimately leading to climactic confrontations with the cartel leaders. Both movies highlight the complex dynamics and human costs of the drug war along the border region.
Snitch
Both "Sicario" and "Snitch" explore the gritty world of the drug trade and the lengths people will go to protect their families. In "Sicario", Kate Macer joins a covert operation to disrupt a Mexican drug cartel, while in "Snitch", John Matthews becomes an informant to reduce his son's prison sentence for drug charges. The movies parallel each other in their depictions of the brutal violence and moral ambiguity surrounding the war on drugs. Both feature protagonists who get in over their heads working with shady government operatives and dangerous criminals. The films also examine the complex relationships between law enforcement, cartels, and the legal system, as well as the personal sacrifices made in the name of justice or family.
Bad Boys for Life
Both "Sicario" and "Bad Boys for Life" revolve around law enforcement agents pursuing powerful drug cartels and their leaders. The main characters are tasked with covert operations to disrupt the cartels' operations, leading them to the top kingpins. They employ brutal and morally ambiguous tactics, including torture and extrajudicial killings, blurring the lines between law enforcement and criminal behavior. The plots involve crossing international borders into Mexico, intense gunfights and action sequences, and a sense of moral ambiguity as the protagonists grapple with the extreme violence required to achieve their goals. Ultimately, the films explore themes of vengeance, family ties, and the personal costs of the drug war.
Memory
Both "Sicario" and "Memory" are gritty crime thrillers that explore the morally ambiguous world of law enforcement operations against powerful criminal organizations. The protagonists, Kate Macer in "Sicario" and Alex Lewis in "Memory", are drawn into covert missions with questionable ethics and legality, aimed at disrupting the operations of drug cartels and human traffickers respectively. They are forced to confront the brutal realities of these operations, witnessing and participating in extreme violence. The films share a similar structure, with the protagonists initially unaware of the true nature of their missions, which are revealed to be more complex and morally compromised than they initially believed. They are guided by shadowy figures, Alejandro in "Sicario" and Davana in "Memory", who operate outside the law to achieve their goals. Both films explore the theme of the ends justifying the means, with the protagonists struggling to reconcile their moral principles with the ruthless tactics employed by their superiors. The films also delve into the corruption and collusion between law enforcement and criminal organizations, blurring the lines between good and evil. Ultimately, the protagonists are left disillusioned and traumatized by their experiences, questioning the true motives behind the operations they were involved in and the sacrifices made in the name of a greater good.