“Sicario” According to Collins Dictionary and Word Sense, the word sicario is a Spanish word that means a hitman or a hired killer. This word is especially used in reference to Latin American and Mexican drug cartels.
Hurricane Vera bears down on the East Coast and the Category Four storm is closing in fast on Washington DC. The DEA makes a quick landing in their small aircraft at DC to avoid the storm. Aboard the aircraft are Los Ubarenos Columbian cartel witness Francisco Fuentes (Martin Pena) and his young pre-teen daughter Amelia (Addison Kendall). They are being escorted by DEA agents to a safe house in Washington, DC. Now aboard a fast moving SUV, cartel members take aim and crash into the DEA transport destroying it. Amelia and now wounded Francisco are guided away from the scene by one of the Agents.
Forced by the storm to take shelter in and Assisted Living facility run by Taylor Ward (Natasha Henstridge), the trio hunker down with the residents. Traced to their hiding place by a DEA communication device, cartel members Sid (Roberto Sanchez) and Carlitos (Juan Carlos Diaz) attack and enter the facility.
The set-up of the storyline is pretty good considering the low budget of this action Drama. Director Joth Riggs moves his script along putting the assisted living occupants in danger along with the Fuentes’s. He introduces his characters well and each has their own opinions when it comes to the peril in which they find themselves. Sometimes comical and other times heartfelt, the story becomes more of life challenges for the inhabitants versus the Cartel. In the mix of the whole story the hurricane becomes a character in itself as it lashes at the huge assisted living dwelling.
While the film does have some good points, the players still show their amateur sides. Even with veteran Natasha Henstridge in nearly every scene, her strength to carry the film isn’t enough. From the 30 minute point on, most film buffs or even mainstream filmgoers may find the plot predictable and begin to lose interest.
Night of the Sicario has been rated R by the MPAA for some violence. Most of the violence surrounds the car crash, shoot outs and later some brutality. You can watch it now on DVD. My personal appraisal of the film is slightly below average. The movie has no connection nor is a sequel to the 2015 film “Sicario”.
Specifications and additional video information:
Cast: Natasha Henstridge, Martin Pena, Addison Kendall, Roberto Sanchez, Juan Carlos Diaz
Directed by: Joth Riggs
Genre: Action, Thriller
MPAA Rating: R for some violence
Running Time: 1 hr. 22 min.
Video Release Date: June 22, 2021
Language: English
Reviewed Format: DVD
Subtitles: English, Spanish, French
Distributed by: Paramount Home Entertainment
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
