Sicario Parents Guide: Is This Action Thriller Too Intense for Teens?

When considering movie night for the family, especially if teens are involved, parents often want to know: “Is this movie appropriate?” For the gripping action thriller Sicario, the answer requires a close look at its intense content. This guide aims to provide parents with a detailed breakdown of the violence and gore depicted in Sicario, helping you make an informed decision for your family.

Detailed Look at Violence and Gore in Sicario

Sicario is a film that delves into the dark and dangerous world of drug cartels and the escalating efforts to combat them. As such, it does not shy away from portraying the brutal realities associated with this world. The movie contains frequent scenes of violence, some of which are graphic and disturbing. Here’s a breakdown of what parents should be aware of:

Graphic Depictions of Death and Injury

The film presents numerous instances of death, often with explicit visuals:

Dead Bodies: The aftermath of violence is frequently shown, including scenes with multiple corpses. In one particularly disturbing scene, bodies are seen hanging in the streets, and some are depicted with missing limbs and heads, heavily bloodied and sometimes nude. This is not fleeting imagery; the camera lingers, emphasizing the gruesome nature of the violence.
Explosions and Charred Remains: An explosion at an outbuilding is a significant violent event. People are thrown through the air, and one survivor is seen crawling from the wreckage, severely burned and reaching towards a severed arm. Other agents are shown with bloody head wounds from the explosion.
Mutilated Bodies in Photographs: Photographs of dead bodies are shown, some of which are described as mutilated and hanging, displaying bloody wounds and torn clothing. This adds another layer of disturbing visual content, even in still images.
Slit Throat: A shocking and close-up depiction of violence occurs when a man is shown in a car with his throat freshly slit, with blood gushing from the wound. This is a very direct and visceral depiction of lethal violence.

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Shootings and Gun Violence

Gun violence is pervasive throughout Sicario, with numerous scenes of shootings resulting in graphic injuries and death:

Multiple Shootings: A man shoots several guards both outside and inside a residence. These shootings are depicted with blood splatter and visible bloody wounds, emphasizing the impact of the violence.
Mass Shooting Scene: In a particularly intense sequence, armed men ambush a car, opening fire and leaving many bloody and dead bodies. The scene focuses on the aftermath of the shooting, showing the graphic results of the gunfire.
Individual Shootings: There are also instances of individuals being shot, such as a man shot in the back and another in the leg, with clear views of bloody wounds.

Hand-to-Hand Combat and Intense Threats

While gun violence is dominant, there are also scenes of physical altercations and threats that contribute to the movie’s intensity:

Struggle and Choking: A woman defends herself against an attacker. The scene includes a struggle, a gun being drawn, and the attacker holding her throat to the point of near unconsciousness. This is a close-quarters, personal act of violence.
Physical Assault: A woman is punched in the face and thrown to the ground. Her attacker holds her down and presses her head against a rock, suggesting further violence, though it is interrupted.
Stabbing: During a tense nighttime raid in a tunnel, an agent is heard stabbing someone in the dark. While not explicitly shown, the sound and the subsequent discovery of dead bodies with bloody wounds confirm the lethal act.
Execution-Style Shootings: A particularly disturbing scene depicts a man shooting two young boys and a woman. The aftermath is shown with the victims lying on the floor and blood splattered nearby, implying an execution-style killing.
Torture and Mutilation (Implied and Discovered): While not shown in graphic detail, the film includes a scene where agents discover numerous dead bodies wrapped in plastic bags. The bags are over the victims’ heads, and there is blood on their bodies, suggesting suffocation and likely prior torture. The agents’ reactions, including vomiting due to the smell, further emphasizes the horrific nature of the unseen violence.

Threats of Violence and Disturbing Dialogue

Beyond the visual violence, Sicario also utilizes threats and disturbing dialogue to create a tense and unsettling atmosphere:

Eye and Ear Trauma (Non-Graphic): A man presses his thumb into another man’s eye and his finger forcefully into another’s ear, causing screams but no visible injury. While not graphic, these scenes are still unsettling due to the implied pain and aggression.
Gun to the Chin: A man holds a gun under a woman’s chin, threatening her to sign a letter. This is a direct threat of lethal violence to coerce compliance.
Sexual Humiliation Threat: A man is shown tied to a chair while another man simulates a sexual act towards his face. While not explicitly sexual violence, it is a degrading and humiliating act intended to intimidate.
Verbal Threats of Extreme Violence: The dialogue includes graphic threats, such as references to a man’s wife being decapitated and his daughter being thrown into acid, and threats of sexual assault against another man’s daughter. These verbal threats contribute significantly to the film’s disturbing tone.

Conclusion: Is Sicario Suitable for Teens?

Based on the detailed description of violence and gore, Sicario is not recommended for younger teenagers. The film’s graphic and frequent violence, disturbing imagery, and intense thematic elements make it more suitable for mature audiences. Parents should carefully consider the descriptions above and their teen’s maturity level and sensitivity to violent content before allowing them to watch Sicario. While it is a critically acclaimed film, its intense portrayal of the drug war includes elements that are likely too disturbing for many teenagers. For families seeking less intense action films, exploring other options would be advisable.