Sicario Cast & Characters: Meet the Stars Behind the Gripping Border War Movie

The movie titled “Sicario,” released in 2015, brought together the creative prowess of Denis Villeneuve and Taylor Sheridan. It also attracted a stellar ensemble of well-known actors. This film follows an earnest FBI agent who gets assigned to a covert task force engaged in the escalating battle against drugs. As they move between the U.S. and Mexican borders, their mysterious team strives to capture a major cartel leader by exploiting a lower-level operative against his superior. Throughout the gripping action sequences, the movie delves into the morally ambiguous aspects of the war on organized crime, purposefully questioning the very concept of uncorrupted justice.

Following an impressive premiere at Cannes Film Festival, “Sicario” saw great success with its widespread release, garnering numerous Academy Award nominations, such as Best Cinematography. The film’s cast was highly commended, with Emily Blunt and Josh Brolin receiving notable recognition for their performances. The tight-knit cast proved to be a powerful storytelling tool in delivering the unexpectedly captivating narrative, where each character played an indispensable part in moving the plot forward. This critical acclaim naturally paved the way for a sequel in 2018, but “Sicario: Day of the Soldado” did not enjoy the same level of success.

Actor Sicario Role
Emily Blunt Kate Macer
Benicio del Toro Alejandro Gillick
Josh Brolin Matt Graver
Daniel Kaluuya Reggie Wayne
Victor Garber Dave Jennings
Jon Bernthal Ted
Jeffrey Donovan Steve Forsing
Raoul Trujillo Rafael
Julio Cesar Cedillo Fausto Alarcón

Emily Blunt As Kate Macer

Date Of Birth: February 23, 1983

  • Active Since: 2001

Emily Blunt, a native of London, spent several years refining her skills on stage before securing her initial movie role in “My Summer of Love” in 2004. It didn’t take long for Emily to garner international acclaim when she portrayed the sharp-tongued Emily Charlton in “The Devil Wears Prada” in 2006. As the years progressed, Blunt’s stardom soared during the 2000s and into the 2010s, with significant leading roles in movies such as “Edge of Tomorrow” and “Into the Woods”. In 2023, her role as Katherine in “Oppenheimer” earned Emily Blunt her first Oscar nomination.

Notable Movies & TV Shows:

Movie Role
The Devil Wears Prada (2006) Emily Charlton
Looper (2012) Sara
A Quiet Place (2018) Evelyn Abbott
Mary Poppins Returns (2018) Mary Poppins
Oppenheimer (2023) Katherine “Kitty” Oppenheimer

Character: FBI agent Kate Macer, played by Blunt, is a fresh recruit who holds an idealistic view of the FBI’s work. Despite her exceptional skills in her role, she grapples with the intricate ethical dilemmas that come with the team’s battle against the cartel. Essentially, Macer serves as both a learning character for the audience and a moral guide, offering insights into the complexities of their mission.

Benicio del Toro As Alejandro Gillick

Date Of Birth: February 19, 1967

  • Active Since: 1987

Benicio del Toro made a memorable debut in Hollywood during the late 80s, quickly earning recognition for his eccentric roles often portraying peculiar criminals. His breakthrough role came as the quirky criminal Fred Fenster in “The Usual Suspects” (1995). Following this, he showcased versatility by taking on a variety of film projects such as “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” and “Snatch”. He received an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as Javier Rodríguez Rodríguez in “Traffic”, and was also nominated for an Oscar again with “21 Grams”.

Notable Movies & TV Shows:

Movie Role
The Usual Suspects (1995) Fred Fenster
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998) Dr. Gonzo
Traffic (2000) Javier Rodríguez Rodríguez
Sin City (2005) Jack “Jackie Boy” Rafferty
Avengers: Infinity War (2018) The Collector

Character: Benicio del Toro’s character Alejandro Gillick is relentlessly pursuing vengeance, even if it means operating in questionable moral territories. Once a prosecutor in Mexico, Gillick transformed into a lethal assassin following the cold-blooded killing of his family by cartel agents.

Josh Brolin As Matt Graver

Date Of Birth: February 12, 1968

  • Active Since: 1977

Stepping into the limelight as the offspring of renowned actor James Brolin, I embarked on my acting journey at a tender age, starring in the film “The Goonies.” My career trajectory took a slightly different path during the 1990s and early 2000s, but a dramatic turnaround came my way when I portrayed Llewelyn Moss in “No Country for Old Men” in 2007. This role marked the beginning of a new chapter, leading me to prominent roles in films such as “Milk,” where I was nominated for an Oscar, and “True Grit.” However, it was my transformation into the formidable Thanos that catapulted me to unprecedented levels of stardom within the Marvel Cinematic Universe throughout the 2010s.

Notable Movies & TV Shows:

Movie Role
The Goonies (1985) Brandon “Brand” Walsh
No Country for Old Men (2007) Llewelyn Moss
True Grit (2010) Tom Chaney
Avengers: Endgame (2019) Thanos
Dune (2021) Gurney Halleck

Character Description: Matt Graver is a CIA Officer specializing in Paramilitary Operations, who carries a somewhat enigmatic backstory. In the movie, he assumes command of the operation set in Mexico, maintaining an eerily calm composure even amidst the gravity of the mission. Matt strategically keeps the protagonist, Kate, in the dark throughout the film, and has no qualms withholding information to achieve his objectives.

Daniel Kaluuya As Reggie Wayne

Date Of Birth: February 24, 1989

  • Active Since: 2006

Daniel Kaluuya, originally from London, first made a name for himself by starring in some of the top British TV shows during the 2000s. He was well-known for his roles as Posh Kenneth in “Skins” over 11 episodes, and Barclay in the memorable “Planet of the Dead” episode of “Doctor Who”. Kaluuya then starred in an episode of “Black Mirror” called “Fifteen Million Merits”, which led to his breakout movie role as Chris Washington in “Get Out” in 2017. He later won an Oscar for his portrayal of Fred Hampton in “Judas and the Black Messiah” and lends his voice to Spider-Punk in the “Spider-Verse” films.

Notable Movies & TV Shows:

Movie or TV Show Role
Skins (2007-2009) Posh Kenneth
Black Mirror (2011-Present) Bingham “Bing” Madsen
Get Out (2017) Chris Washington
Judas and the Black Messiah Fred Hampton
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023) Spider-Punk

Character: FBI Agent Reggie Wayne, hailing from a challenging past, brings along a significant load of experiences as he embarks on a mission in Mexico. His tough demeanor might suggest an emotionally fortified individual, but beneath that facade lies a reservoir of strong feelings that influence his decisions. Partnered with Kate, they appear contrasting on the surface, but both harbor inner turmoil and complexity.

Jon Bernthal As Ted

Date Of Birth: September 20, 1976

  • Active Since: 2002

Jon Bernthal, previously known for minor roles across films and television productions, gained widespread recognition after portraying Shane Walsh in The Walking Dead. Following this breakout TV performance, he took on the role of The Punisher in Daredevil and its Netflix spin-off, demonstrating versatility by showcasing his dramatic skills as the late Mikey Berzatto in The Bear. Bernthal then displayed his prowess as an action star by playing Braxton Wolff, the assassin, in The Accountant and its sequel.

Notable Movies & TV Shows:

Movie or TV Show Role
The Walking Dead (2010-2022) Shane Walsh
Daredevil (2015-2018) Frank Castle/The Punisher
The Accountant (2016) Braxton Wolff
The Punisher (2017-2019) Frank Castle/The Punisher
The Bear (2022-Present) Mikey Berzatto

Character: Jon Bernthal’s character, Ted, may not be a leading role in the film “Sicario”, but he significantly contributes to the character growth. Ted is a police officer from Phoenix, who crosses paths with Kate at a local watering hole where they quickly establish a connection. However, it is soon revealed that Ted is not all that he appears to be, and his act of betrayal plays a significant part in shaping Kate’s character.

Jeffrey Donovan As Steve Forsing

Date Of Birth: May 11, 1968

  • Active Since: 1995

Actor: Despite some notable film performances, Jeffrey Donovan is primarily recognized for his television roles. Following over a decade of secondary parts, Donovan secured the leading role of Michael Westen on Burn Notice, which remains his most memorable character. Subsequently, he played Detective Frank Cosgrove across multiple seasons of Law & Order, and lent his voice to the character of Machine Head in the animated superhero show, Invincible.

Notable Movies & TV Shows:

Movie or TV Show Role
Burn Notice (2007-2013) Michael Westen
Fargo (2014-Present) Dodd Gerhardt
Wonder Woman: Bloodlines (2019) Steve Trevor
Invincible (2021-Present) Machine Head
Law & Order (2022-Present) Detective Frank Cosgrove

Character Profile: Steve Forsing is a seasoned CIA operative who also served in the military as a Delta Force member. His strategic skillset proves useful in the movie “Sicario,” and he reappears for the sequel too.

The Supporting Cast & Characters In Sicario

A Recognizable Ensemble Of Stars In Supporting Roles

In this role, Victor Garber portrays Dave Jennings, a man who holds a significant position overseeing the operation. Although Garber has an impressive background on stage, he is most recognized for his roles in movies such as playing Jesus in the adaptation of Godspell and Thomas Andrews in Titanic.

Raoul Trujillo portrays the character, Rafael, in the film ‘Sicario’, and boasts an extensive acting resume. In more contemporary roles, he appeared as Che “Taza” Romero on ‘Mayans M.C.’, and OMAC in DC’s ‘Blue Beetle’. In a return to his earlier part, Trujillo reprised Rafael for ‘Sicario: Day of the Soldado’.

Fausto Alarcón is the central drug lord that the movie’s team pursues, serving as the main antagonist in Sicario. Although Julio Cesar Cedillo has a more limited acting resume, he has been featured in films such as In The Electric Mist, Cowboys & Aliens, and The Harder They Fall.

In the movie, Manuel Díaz is the notorious cartel lieutenant who’s arrested at the beginning of the story to ultimately lead to Fausto. Bernardo Saracino made a significant debut in the film “Sicario”, and has also been seen in movies such as “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot” and television series like “From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series”.

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2025-05-18 17:25

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