Taylor Sheridan’s Sicario Remains a Streaming Hit on HBO Max

Jon Bernthal is having an exceptionally busy year. Following major roles in The Odyssey and Spider-Man: Brand New Day, the actor has solidified his standing as one of Hollywood’s most reliable supporting performers. Viewers revisiting his past work have plenty of highlights to choose from, including his breakout run in The Walking Dead, his starring turn in The Punisher across the Daredevil television universe, and roles in Ford v Ferrari, King Richard, and FX’s The Bear. Bernthal’s formal theater training and grounded acting style have sustained a career spanning well over a decade.

Now, one of Bernthal’s standout crime dramas is seeing a surge in home viewership. Denis Villeneuve’s 121-minute thriller from 2015 has found renewed momentum on streaming platforms in 2026.

Sicario climbs the HBO Max streaming charts

After arriving on HBO Max at the start of August, Sicario quickly entered the platform’s top ten rankings. According to data from FlixPatrol, the film hovered around the seventh spot earlier in the month before rising to number six by August 25.

Written by Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan, Sicario follows FBI agent Kate Macer (Emily Blunt) as she joins a covert task force led by CIA officer Matt Graver (Josh Brolin). Operating along the United States and Mexico border, the team targets a violent cartel, pulling Kate into increasingly ambiguous moral territory alongside the enigmatic operative Alejandro Gillick (Benicio del Toro). Bernthal appears in a supporting role as Ted, a police officer and love interest for Kate, delivering a memorable turn despite limited screen time.

Will Jon Bernthal return for another Sicario film?

Upon its original 2015 release, Sicario earned broad critical acclaim, securing a 91% score on Rotten Tomatoes alongside three Academy Award nominations for Best Cinematography, Best Original Score, and Best Sound Editing. The 2018 follow-up, Sicario: Day of the Soldado, brought back Brolin and del Toro, though it did not match the original film’s critical reception without Blunt or Villeneuve involved.

A third chapter, reportedly titled Sicario: Capos, has remained in development for years. Producers have expressed interest in bringing back Blunt, del Toro, and Brolin. Because Bernthal’s character played a minor part in the broader narrative, a return appears improbable, though not impossible.

Regardless of whether Ted reappears on screen, the resurgence of Sicario on HBO Max highlights the lasting strength of the film and Bernthal’s early catalog.

Sicario is currently streaming on HBO Max.

Source: Polygon