11 Years Later, Taylor Sheridan’s Best Action Thriller is Taking Over HBO Max in 2026

Taylor Sheridan is riding high on the success of his variety of TV shows, Yellowstone-related and beyond, with the writer-showrunner bringing a stream of hits with Paramount. Now, one of his best-written works is getting a new lease of life on HBO Max as it climbs the August streaming charts eleven years later.

Sheridan made his debut as a screenwriter with the Denis Villeneuve-directed crime action thriller Sicario, which currently ranks seventh on the HBO Max August 9th charts (via Flix Patrol). The film explored the cartel in Juarez, Mexico, and the US Government’s involvement in the criminal enterprise, with stars like Emily Blunt, Jon Bernthal, and Daniel Kaluuya playing pivotal roles.

Jon Bernthal’s Insane Summer Brings Fans Back to Taylor Sheridan’s 2015 Thriller

Jon Bernthal in Sicario | Credits: Lionsgate

Actor Jon Bernthal is on an insane run in 2026, having had multiple appearances in Daredevil: Born Again season 2, The Punisher: One Last Kill, The Odyssey, and Spider-Man: Brand New Day. The latter two films have both grossed over $1 billion at the box office, with Brand New Day achieving the feat in only 4 days and breaking several records.

The actor’s incredible year had brought fans back to one of his earlier roles from 2015, Sicario. Though Bernthal had a short part in the action thriller directed by Denis Villeneuve and starring Emily Blunt, his performance was impactful and was in one of the darkest scenes in the movie. The film debuted on HBO Max earlier this month and is already climbing streaming charts.

The crime action thriller was written by Yellowstone’s Taylor Sheridan, in his screenwriting debut, and follows an ideal FBI agent included in a task force against the Mexican cartel. The film explores the dr*g cartel in Mexico, the criminal enterprise and its violent effects in the country, and the cynical involvement of US agents in the cartel business. The film is considered to be one of the best in the genre and one of Sheridan’s best crime thrillers.

Bernthal plays a rogue assassin-esque character who initially goes on a date with Emily Blunt’s Kate Macer and ends up attempting to mur*er her after the date. It is a truly harrowing sequence that shows the actor’s range and Taylor Sheridan’s incredible writing, as well as Villeneuve’s masterful direction. 

Will Sheridan Close Out Sicario With a Trilogy?

Taylor Sheridan in Yellowstone | Credits: Paramount

Taylor Sheridan has built a name for himself as a writer who explores different facets of America, with his stories exploring rural and small towns, and the lived reality of many folks. Sicario was a part of his disconnected ‘American Frontier’ trilogy, which also included Hell or High Water and Wind River, the latter of which he directed.

However, Sicario got a sequel in Day of the Soldado, which was not as well-received as the first movie. Still, there were hopes and promises for a third movie, with many rumors about Emily Blunt returning along with Josh Brolin and Benicio del Toro (who were also in Day of the Soldado). However, the film seems to be in development hell.

Despite positive updates from Lionsgate producers, Josh Brolin gave a reality check about the potential threequel, saying to THR,

There’s a very small ratio on the steering wheel. At one point, I said, ‘I don’t think there’s going to be a Sicario 3. I doubt it’s going to happen.’ And then there was all this [commotion]….I know it’s there. When we do it, I don’t know when that is, but I know it’s there. So I’m excited about the prospect of it, but you can’t wait too long because we’ll have walkers.

Taylor Sheridan is quite busy with his Paramount deal being open till 2028, after which he is set to move to NBCUniversal to develop movies and shows for the studio. He has been working on multiple shows, including his Yellowstone spinoffs and other neo-Western shows like Landman, Tulsa King, and Lioness. 

It is unlikely that he will return to Sicario 3 anytime soon. However, the film’s newfound streaming success might push things forward more quickly.

Have you watched Sicario? Comment below with your opinion on the movie.

Sicario is available to stream on HBO Max.