Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that Sicario is a dramatic thriller about an FBI special task force dedicated to taking out drug lords in Mexico (the title means "hit man" in Spanish). It has a lot of strong, sometimes gruesome violence, with scenes of decomposing corpses, shootings, killings, fighting, bloody wounds, and explosions. A couple kisses and nearly has sex, but they're interrupted; the main female character is also shown in her bra. There's also some sex talk, as well as other strong language ("f--k," "a--hole," etc.). Drugs aren't readily shown, but characters sometimes drink or smoke a bit too much, and drug dealing is at the heart of the story. Though the material is intense and fairly grim, it's a masterful, often exhilarating movie with a complex, strong female lead character (played by Emily Blunt).
Sexual
Content
Characters kiss and engage in foreplay. Sex is interrupted. No graphic nudity. Brief discussion of sexually transmitted diseases. Main character shown in her bra.
Violence
Frequent shooting and killing, with spurts of blood. Gory, decomposing bodies shown (characters vomit from the smell). Explosions. More dead bodies (some nude). Bloody injuries. Implied torture during questioning. Fighting. A woman is punched. Children are killed (off camera). Descriptions of killings in vats of acid. Frequent peril/danger.
Language
Uses of "f--k," "motherf----r," "bitch," "a--hole," "s--t," "Jesus" (as an exclamation).
Social
Behavior
Cynically/pessimistically, implies that the only way to deal with evildoers is to adopt their methods. Also advocates bending the rules to achieve a desired end. The main character, a woman, faces some discrimination, but mostly she proves herself a worthy warrior.
Consumerism
Not applicable
Drugs / Tobacco /
Alcohol
Drug dealers are at the heart of the movie's story. Characters drink beer in a bar. The main character smokes cigarettes and has trouble quitting. A man pours liquor in his coffee.
