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?

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

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”

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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!

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.

The cinematography in this movie is mesmerizing!

Alejandro was a good guy who became a bad guy to better serve the good guys. He sacrificed his identity for the mission. There's a void within him that feeds on the blood of bad guys as they in turn feed on the blood of the innocent. He's a vampire that feeds on other vampires.

At the dinner table, after mother and sons are down, I didn’t know it was coming, but, ‘the sigh’ by Del Toro, was…priceless….

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.

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.

I love characters like this so much. Along with Chigurh from No Country For Old Men, I think this is one of the best, most interesting portrayals on film in the last decade or more

I love that he turned around at the end, and gave her the chance to shoot. Without having to shoot his back. As if he was walking towards her and she caught the threat. Testing if she really was a sheep or wolf. He was indifferent since he’s in agony. He doesn’t feel a right to live anymore and whatever purpose he had was done.

I’ve never had a more visceral experience after finishing a movie, than this one. The menacing score of “The Beast” composed by the legendary Johan Johansson (RIP Titan) literally made me sick to my stomach. The feeling of dread and despair was actually palpable . And that’s why this is one of my all time favorite films from my favorite director and cinematographer.

I was so surprised and enthralled by this film. Visually beautiful, it feels cut to its essence but not skinny or lacking, surprising and powerful. What a fantastic cast too. I think truly underrated.

This channel is criminally underrated

One of the best film analysis' I have ever seen. I have watched Sicario twice and had understood maybe 75% of what made Alejandro tick. This excellently presented analytical work gave me the other 25% where the puzzle of Alejandro is now seamlessly completed.

I watched Sicario almost by myself in the theater. Few people give it a chance. One of the best movies i ever saw.

Oh wow. Wow. I’ve not only loved this movie since the first time I watched, it I also admire it. It’s a masterpiece, a work of narrative, visual, emotional and even physical art. And your particular analysis of Alejandro gets to the heart of what, to me, makes it so exceptional. You really describe all the things that make his character so central. And also so complex, even with the very pared-down dialogue he’s permitted (and permitting himself) to speak. Villeneuve makes him a man who has very little he needs to actually say. Because in his context, there really isn’t that much that can be said, it’s all over. All that’s left is to perform his vengeance. This movie truly is a masterpiece.

Excellent video mate. Denis Villeneuve is without a doubt my favorite filmmaker. I’d love to see a video discussing his filmography as a whole. I seriously need to rewatch this flick again.

A fantastic look at an enigmatic character and the stellar on-screen performance that brought him vividly to life. ❤

Ale is one of the few characters I've ever seen that has managed to put across the void that is left in a person from enduring such great loss. There is an emptiness and a detachment that is near impossible to explain, but he does a great job here.

The Casting is well placed, Emily portraying a sense of good in a scenario that's a lost cause and Benicio evening the balance...as a just cause. The Score is insanely fantastic befitting of the course subject and dark characters in their various roles. Excellent Job Denis and crew 🎉🎇

Benicio has been a top actor since way of the gun. It was great to see him get material worthy of his talent in this and traffic.

Benicio Del Toro has been playing unforgettable roles for decades now and his achievements in the art form are too numerous to quantify, however, this analysis of his Sicario performance reminds me of another. Possibly my favorite badass character of his (especially if you set aside Sicario) comes from 2002's "Way of The Gun" where he stars alongside Ryan Phillipe as the modern embodiment of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. While Phillipe's "Mr Parker" often takes center stage and speaks much more in the film, Del Toro's "Mr Longbaugh" is implied to be the more experienced and more dangerous, of the pair. Another great character that, with minimal dialogue, is brought to life and given complexity; primarily by the things he does and the way he does them. The cold blooded efficiency and professionalism in how he operates give weight and meaning to the few words he exchanges. Words speak volumes simply because of just how well his actions and behaviors illustrate who he is, where he has been, and what he is capable of. Great and criminally underrated film. If you have never seen it, know that its a true gem for fans of movie gun fights, especially those that stay grounded in realities of them, never trivializing the danger, unpredictability and savagery that accompanies them. I cant recommend it enough. Think more Michael Mann than Villeneuve. Way of the Gun was directed by Christopher McQuarrie of Usual Suspects fame and also features James Caan and Taye Diggs as antagonists.

For how many countless times I've watched this film, and all my extra interest in it, I never knew about how much dialogue Sheridan had intended for Del Toro's character. I'm with Villeneuve - less is more. Thanks for a great video Take Two

Your essay is so eloquent and also fascinating. I loved it.

I love these analysis videos. It gives such a great sense of keeping these slightly older and partially forgotten films alive and reigniting people's love for them

one of the most thoroughly studied contemporary film, and surely will be selected into college textbook.

One of my favorite movies. Never get tired of it.

Great video man. Del Toro is such great actor, he always leaves me in love with the characters he plays.

del Torro ages like fine wine. He has grown into a dead-serious enigmatic actor. He doesn't need a ton of lines to dominate a scene.

This film is one of my absolute favorite movies of all time. I’ve watched it at least 30 times, a couple times I was drinking alcohol lol, majority of the time I was sober. The movie is so amazing to me though because it makes me question human nature, and the many governments of the world. It makes you question morality, it makes you question philosophy… I think this film should be shown in every film class. Every time I watch it, it sticks to my brain like glue…

Sicario had one of the best endings in cinematic history. He was able to do what everyone who has had someone(S) taken from them wishes they could do. Alejandro is one of the best characters in cinema, hands-down. Every kill he got, was what people had coming. Someones karmic debt can be so high that it affects people they care about, as the cartel leader found out the hard way.

Not going to lie this is one that I could only appreciate after rewatching it

One of the best character break down/ film class I’ve seen. Thanks!

It is an outstanding film. One of my favourites from the last 20 years.

SICARIO is always my favourite not only because of its cinematic essence in every shots and scenes (as every Villeneuve and deakins monuments) but also for the straight forward,realistic SCRIPT. If you dig more into the realism of the cartel and undercover ops, you will start to realise this work as a DELIBERATELY COMPELLING FICTION.(which is the complete opposite of first impression). However, script writer TAYLOR SHERIDAN has dealt this contradictory phenomena with the most plausible and possible character archetypes.none of the character in this film were acted. They're just REACTED. And, that's what the true, realistic films do. I've been watching your essays since the TPBTP. one. You're are an excellent, well-analysing and keen writer. Keep working on this,you will get exactly what you're aiming for. Btw. Try to do HELL OR HIGH WATER written by the same writer.(my recomm.)

Alejandro is just perfectly created as a character for this story told. 1. he is the embodiment of what you have to be to defeat an enemy that is ruthless and knows no rules 2. he also embodies the rule of cause and effect. The cartel took an honest man what made him stay on the good side and hence created the greatest monster imaginable. Ruthless, cold, methodical and without questioning what he does as the goal is all that matters by any means necessary. 3. he is the embodiment of what can happen when a man gets pushed into a choice where the question is if he will stay on the morally side or if he utilizes everytbing imaginable to reach his goal. 4. all of the above does not prevent us as viewers to take a liking to Alejandro as we can understand his personal loss that made him loose parts of his humanity. He is not a typical Revenge character like lets say Eric Draven from the Crow as the cop Alejandro kills is not one of the pure evil charcters usually used in revenge stories. 5. Alejandro is a perfect example of the Domino effect. A single action like killing his family has much wider effects than anybody imagined first. I wish in movies today were only more of suchcgreatly written characters as in the last 10 years it has become very boring. But i am absolutely thinking this will change again as the time of Marvel movies is over and the Disney mistakes show the effect we can see now. Hence there will be more interest in better scripts.

Outstanding job! To try to explain this film is almost impossible. This is one of the best films I have ever seen. Thanks again to you and the film.

Fantastic breakdown! I watch this about every year, still one of my top 3 movies. Characters, sound (another character), cinematography, all great.

One of my absolute favorite movies of all time. Thank you for the video.

Movie suggestions: Shot caller, Ex machina, Warrior or Nightcrawler

the end when emily blunt refused to shoot him dead , and then the camera's angle of Alejandro with that sad eyes and that so depressing gray sky back ground was immaculate ; which the director wants to tell us he is a gray man just like all of us i never forget that extraordinary waves of emotion that i felt when i whatch that scene for the first time . it makes me cry and i dont know why . thx man man for this beutifuly crafted video .u r criminaly underrated

Thank you so much for this video. The story is worthy enough to stand with the all time classics. We can look inward to our own histories in dealing with trauma, the ego of revenge, through the journey Alejandro takes.

This movie is a 💎and so is your analysis of this character.

Cinematography and sound design/soundtrack are 10/10 in this film

First saw Del Torro in "The way of the gun" and was immediately blown away by his play and presence. In Sicario he's reached a league of its own.

By far the best description of this wonderful movie so far. Thank you!

I think Alejandro being a "good guy" or "bad guy" is irrelevant. To me the beauty in the storytelling of his character is that he is a stakeholder in the conglomerate that is made up of everyone involved in the drug trade. The Mexican cartels, the Columbian cartels, the various law enforcement agencies like the Federales in Mexico, and the US State police/FBI/CIA/ and the US Military. Both Kate and Alejandro happen to be the rubber that meets the road in this machine, and both of them are enabled to seek their own best interests by others seeking their own best interests. Kate interests are temporarily aligned with Alejandro's in "bringing the cartels to justice" until she realizes justice doesn't mean the same thing for Alejandro as it does for her. Alejandro is seeking justice for his family. In the end she concedes her definition of justice (she doesn't shoot Alejandro) because she realizes his definition of justice is necessary to the greater good, and the way he turns to face her on the balcony to give her a clearer shot was brilliant story telling. He's saying "if you think everyone's best interests will be better off, then shoot me" There is a cool foreshadow of that moment when Kate and Alejandro are in the pre-mission brief before going into Juarez. He tells her "nothing will make sense to your American ears, and you will doubt everything that we do. But in the end, you will understand."

Loved this film and everyone in it. del Toro in particular. Even in his early bit parts, he brought a vicious sadness to his roles.

I've watched Sicario countless times and I'm always fascinated with Alejandro's character. He was so intense and the rest of the cast too was solid. Great review man.

This video is really well put, great stuff man!

This movie is a true cinematic masterpiece

Brilliant set of reflections. When I first saw Sicario i instantly knew it was a masterpiece. Time and the observations of others, such as yourself, have only solidified my initial impression. Story, character, theme that sunk their teeth in me and have never let go.

I've watched this analysis, rewatched the movie, rewatched this analysis. A deeper understanding makes both better. Fantastic work!

Great review, and you nailed it regarding how Alejandro is by far the center of this film despite not appearing until well into the film. The ambiguity he portrays is what makes him so compelling, and for reference to another great film involving Mexico and drugs, Traffic, it's that same aspect that made him so fantastic.

Love this channel, excellent work bro, keep'em coming.

Brilliant analysis of Alejandro's character - and now I am going to have to watch the film again :)

I saw this the night it came out in theaters. I was so blown away by it. The story, cinematography, the soundtrack, the acting...it was all so good. It's in my top 5 favorite movies.

thank you so much, best breakdown channel

Proud of your work brother, very thought provoking

"Go ahead,....finish your meal."

This is Great, thank you for making it.

Thank you for such an insightful, intelligent and apt set of descriptions in this essay- the "art of the cinematic story" and the elegance of 'less being FAAAAAR, FAR more' in the telling a nuanced story and one of substantial depth. I would say, however, Alexandro's humanity is still intact - and rather, pared and honed down to the rarest and finest point of justice - all yearn for justice, though very few have the means to achieve it. We might not LIKE him, but so much of the human condition demands it. Thank you again!

Great essay, you nailed it. Benicio was terrific under Villeneuve’s direction. Also, your videos are really nicely edited!

I just watched your Enemy video and I'd like to thank you, it was perfect. I've immediately subscribed to you and I'm sure I'll watch more of your videos, they are insanely good.. I hope you're not discouraged that you don't have millions upon millions of views (which you so rightfully deserve) because I think in time, if you keep it up, it will come. Keep on keeping on brother.

this video was exquisite!! Love Sicario, love your take on it! as of now i am currently subscribing!

Amazing breakdown. Thank you for this video

One part of the film I feel isn't addressed enough is just that choice of name for Alejandro's persona. Medellín. I come from that very city he gets his name from, and though I'm much too young to have experienced the worst of the drug violence that affected us in the 80s and 90s, every day you walk in this city you are constantly reminded of the scars that it left deeply into the the spaces you inhabit, but especially on the psyche of all the people that surround you. There is a sort of angry defeatism that permeates all of us here that I am very much reminded of whenever I see Alejandro's cold dead stare in the film. A sense of having your life and future and humanity completely stripped away by the constant exposure to the worst acts of violence imaginable to a point of learning to just shut it all out and being left with nothing but an instinct of survival. And anger. Everyone here is so angry. Angry for all the people and things we have lost. And angry that we never seem to get better. Honestly, I cannot imagine a more perfect onscreen representation of my hometown than this, and for that, I will always cherish this film above many others.

These videos are great. I wish I could understand and analize movies like this. Watching this made me appreciate Sicario a lot more. Denis Villeneuve is the best, today I'm finally going to watch Incendies and complete my Denis Villeneuve list.

So very well analyzed and dissected. Kudos and props !!

one hell of a video essay! Thank you

I love this hard-to-watch movie and have seen it many times now. The score affected me greatly, especially as the Americans enter Juarez. I may not know all of Del Toro’s work but if it’s not his finest performance I want to know more. His character continues to amaze and scare me at the same time. The rest of the cast is stellar and deserves their own features and comments.

I love that you touched on scene 8, 17, and 26. It ripped my heart out knowing this man's boy looked up to him so much and you got to see the "family side" of someone lightly working for the cartel. On one side you sympathize with him. Understanding that in his environment, its not easy to make money without being a part of the cartel's world. Then on the other side, you realize he's just another corrupt cop getting paid by murdering maniacs. Villeneuve did such a phenomenal job making us care about people we shouldn't. What a great film. The 2nd one however.....garbage. Lol

Thank you for making videos, I get sick of my own perspectives on movies so watching videos like yours introduce me to perspectives I completely missed out on experiencing *totally not an AI

the commentary was superb. It was crystallization of thoughts on the movie I had difficulty expressing in words.

Great video!

Alejandro,Anton Chigur,John Wick,T-1000 are examples how little to none dialogue can make a character more interesting

Great review and loved this movie as well. The one thing that rarely gets mentioned is the score, some of the most beautifully haunting I've ever heard.

Brilliant analysis. I’m so glad I stumbled across your channel. Thanks.

One of the best movies ever made.

Sicario is perhaps my favourite film. A masterpiece by THE Master Denis Villeneuve. And yes, Alejandro is one of the most compelling characters in film.

Thanks for this analysis. Sicario is one of my top ten films ever; just masterful in every way.

This is some of the best analysis of this film that I've seen.

I love this film. I still can’t choose which role of Benicios I like better. Put the films as a whole aside and just concentrate on performance. Alejandro and Lado (from Savages). They’re both so good.

Great character description and synopsis. Pleasure to watch and listen. Kudos!

What a stellar piece you've put together. You've got a new subscriber.

Sicario, still the best action/thriller movie (both parts) in 21st century