The high price of plausible deniability in shadow warfare
In short: To fight a war without being seen, the U.S. government allegedly considers instigating conflict between rival Mexican cartels. In this cinematic exploration of covert operations, the line between state security and state-sanctioned violence blurs as operatives use private mercenaries and false flag tactics to achieve geopolitical goals.
Directed by Stefano Sollima and written by Taylor Sheridan, Sicario: Day of the Soldado (2018) expands on the themes of its predecessor by removing the 'policing' aspect. The narrative centers on a covert U.S. government strategy to combat Mexican drug cartels following a suicide bombing in Kansas City. To maintain plausible deniability, CIA officer Matt Graver recruits private military company mercenaries and utilizes encrypted communication equipment to deliberately incite a war between major rival cartels. The film depicts the brutal mechanics of these operations, including 'false flag' maneuvers where operatives stage DEA raids to kidnap Isabel Reyes, the daughter of a cartel kingpin. The objective is to leave her in territory controlled by rivals to escalate inter-cartel violence. However, the mission faces complications when corrupt police turn on the American team, leading to a firefight that results in 25 Mexican policemen being killed—an event that quickly becomes mainstream news. The film has faced significant critical scrutiny regarding its portrayal of these tactics. While some critics praised it as a 'dynamic action drama' and a 'worthy sequel,' others condemned it as 'irresponsible' and 'xenophobic.' Critics like Ani Bundel and Monica Castillo argued the film functions as a form of propaganda that relies on harmful stereotypes, contrasting with the more atmospheric, moody tone of the original. Despite these debates, the production remains a significant entry in the franchise, grossing $75.8 million worldwide against an estimated budget of $35 to $45 million.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Sicario: Day of the Soldado
- Also: Wikidata — Sicario: Day of the Soldado · CC0
- Also: Wikidata — Sicario: Day of the Soldado · CC0
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