10 Amazing Revenge Films That Are Really Bleak
5. Sicario
It's hard to remember that the modern-western set on the Mexican border has flavors of a revenge tale, but it very much does.
At the beginning, a SWAT team lead by the FBI makes two horrific discoveries; and our lead protagonist is thrust into a situation where getting back at the people responsible becomes a possibility.
Kate Mercer (Emily Blunt) is out for payback, but insists on doing things by the book. While at the same time we are introduced to Alejandro (Benicio Del Toro) who is revealed to also be on the hunt but doesn't have as much of a moral code.
What's interesting about this revenge tale is that two of its leads (exclude Josh Brolin) have their own personal approach to justice and it's skewered by personal agendas and ethics.
Kate's attempt to bring justice to murderers and traffickers is brushed aside and she discovers she is just a pawn for the Government to use for more nefarious reasons.
In the end, there is some semblance of justice; bad guys are killed and good guys get away, but the sucker-punch comes in the form of realizing that the war on drugs cannot be won, and being lawful won't get you anywhere anymore.