“Sicario: Day of the Soldado,” directed by Stefano Sollima, is a gripping sequel that delves deeper into the murky world of drug cartels, government covert operations, and moral ambiguity. Building on the foundation laid by its predecessor, “Sicario” (2015), the film unfolds as a complex and intense narrative that examines the consequences of escalating violence and the blurred lines between justice and vengeance.

The plot picks up where the first film left off, focusing on CIA operative Matt Graver (played by Josh Brolin) as he is tasked with instigating a war between rival Mexican drug cartels following a terrorist attack on American soil. To achieve this goal, Graver recruits the enigmatic operative Alejandro Gillick (played by Benicio del Toro), whose personal vendetta against the cartels adds a layer of personal stakes to the mission.