“Sicario” is an edge-of-your seat thriller about the drug war raging along the United States-Mexico border.

It is brutally-realistic, filmed in a realistic style and deserves several Oscar nominations.

“Sicario,” translated as hit man or hired killer referring to Latin American drug cartels, is taken from the Latin word, sicarius, for murderer, assassin or “dagger man,” dating to 1 AD when Jewish Zealots killed Roman citizens using a “sicae” (dagger).

The title gives you a sense of the crime-thriller directed by Denis Villeneuve (director, the overlooked but excellent “Prisoners,” 2013, that starred Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal) from a screenplay that keeps you guessing by Taylor Sheridan (actor, TV’s “Sons Of Anarchy,” 2008 - ‘10) in his theatrical screenplay debut.

Kate (Emily Blunt, deserving of an Oscar actress nomination) is an FBI agent who volunteers for an elite force tasked with tracking down a Mexican drug czar. Matt (Josh Brolin, always excellent) is an apparent CIA operative in charge of the operation, assisted by Alejandro (Benicio Del Toro, deserving an Oscar actor nomination), an enigmatic figure.

The film opens in Chandler, Ariz., said to be a heretofore tranquil community, more or less. The action continues in Nogales and Juarez, Mexico.

Brolin is really good at portraying a mean task force leader who is drug-war battle hardened.

Blunt is emotionally-translucent, embodying an innocent and inexperienced drug-war “soldier.” Her androgynous look, owl-like eyes, and dimpled chin serve well the character she portrays. Her journey becomes our journey. We see events unfold through her eyes.

Del Toro is a revelation as a seasoned drug-war agent who is battling his own conscience (to say more would ruin the screenplay’s twists and turns).

Solid in supporting roles Daniel Kaluuya as an FBI agent, Jon Bernthal as a police officer and Victor Garber as an FBI chief.

The cinematography by Roger Deakins (“No Country For Old Men,” 2007) is brilliant. There are numerous complicated tracking shots and character confrontations. Deakins handles all superbly, often choosing unusual and original camera placements.

The soundtrack of industrial music by Jóhann Jóhannsson (“The Theory Of Everything,” 2014; “Foxcatcher,” 2014; “Prisoners”) sets the grim and frenetic tone. Subtitles are used in some scenes when Spanish is spoken.

“Sicario” is a tension-filled drama, a taut thriller and a shocker. It should be seen.

“Sicario,” MPAA Rated R (Restricted. Children Under 17 Require Accompanying Parent or Adult Guardian.) for strong violence, grisly images, and language; Genre: Action, Crime, Drama; Run time: 2 hrs., 21 mins.; Distributed by Lionsgate.

Credit Readers Anonymous: “Sicario” was filmed in Albuquerque, N.M., and El Paso, Tex.

Box Office, Oct. 21: Movie-goers got “Goosebumps,” sending it to No. 1, $23.5 million, narrowly ending the two-week No. 1 run of ”The Martian,” dropping to No. 2, with $21.5 million, $143.7 million, three weeks, and keeping director Steven Spielberg’s and Tom Hanks’ “Bridge Of Spies” opening at No. 3, with $15.3 million, and director Guillermo del Toro’s “Crimson Peak” opening at No. 3, with $12.9 million.

5. “Hotel Transylvania 2,” $12.2 million, $136.4 million, four weeks; 6. “Pan,” $5.8 million, $25.7 million, two weeks; 7. “The Intern,” $5.4 million, $58.7 million, four weeks; 8. “Sicario,” $4.5 million, $34.6 million, five weeks; 9. “Woodlawn,” $4.1 million, opening; 10. “Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials,” $2.7 million, $75.4 million, five weeks.

Unreel, Oct. 23:

“Steve Jobs,” R: Danny Boyle directs Michael Fassbender in the title role, along with Kate Winslet, Seth Rogen and Jeff Daniels in the biography drama that may be the Apple of many movie-goers’ eyes.

“Rock The Kasbah,” R: Barry Levinson directs Bruce Willis, Zooey Deschanel, Kate Hudson and Bill Murray in the comedy about a music manager who discovers a teen-age girl singer in Afghanistan.

“Suffragette,” PG-13: Sarah Gavron directs Helena Bonham Carter, Carey Mulligan, Meryl Streep and Ben Whishaw in the drama about the early feminist movement.

“Burnt,” R: John Wells directs Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, Omar Sy and Daniel Brühl in the comedy about a chef who starts a new restaurant.

“Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension,” R: Gregory Plotkin directs Chris J. Murray, Brit Shaw, Ivy George and Dan Gill in the horror film about a camera that can see spirits.

“Jem And The Holograms,” PG: Jon M. Chu directs Ryan Guzman, Molly Ringwald, Stefanie Scott and Juliette Lewis in a fantasy adventure about a girl who becomes a global superstar.

“The Last Witch Hunter,” PG-13: Breck Eisner directs Vin Diesel, Rose Leslie, Elijah Wood and Michael Caine in an action fantasy film about fighting witches.

“I Smile Back,” Adam Salky directs Sarah Silverman, Josh Charles, Thomas Sadoski and Mia Barron in the drama about a self-destructive woman.

Three Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes