The arrival of Sicario in the Prime Video catalog on December 15 is an opportunity to rediscover the essential films of Canadian director Denis Villeneuve, cult masterpieces or little-known nuggets. Zoom on 3 of them, to see urgently!
In recent years, Denis Villeneuve has distinguished himself through his large-scale projects. After the superb First Contact and the sequel to Blade Runner, the director is completing the production of the second part of Dune. Rewarded by no less than six Oscars, the odyssey of Paul Atreides had as much seduced the spectators as the press.
To wait before the release of the long-awaited second opus, why not dive back into the director’s filmography through three emblematic works?
Sicario
The border area between the United States and Mexico has become lawless territory. Kate, an idealistic young FBI recruit, is enlisted there to help an elite task force in the fight against drug trafficking.
Led by an enigmatic consultant, the team embarks on a clandestine journey, forcing Kate to question her beliefs in order to survive.
After the very intimate and cryptic Enemy, Denis Villeneuve returns to a story full of tension and fury with Sicario.
Carried by the masterful interpretations of Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin and Benicio Del Toro, by the low and haunting music of Jóhann Jóhannsson (already behind the themes of Prisoners and Enemy) and the sublime images of Roger Deakins (faithful partner of Villeneuve and Sam Mendes), Sicario stands out as a must in the director’s filmography.
Condensed of his raw art, the film will seduce his admirers and will not leave neophytes indifferent.
prisoners
Denis Villeneuve fans are definitely spoiled for Prime Video this month: in addition to Sicario, Prisoners has also been available since December 1st. Frozen and chilling thriller, Prisoners recounts the strange disappearance of Anna and Joy, two 6-year-old girls.
Detective Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal at the top of his game) favors the thesis of kidnapping following the testimony of Keller, Anna’s father (Hugh Jackman, also impeccable as a desperate parent). Blinded by his pain, Keller then embarks on a race against time to find the missing children.
Labyrinthine plot, remarkable actors (in addition to Gyllenhaal and Jackman Paul Dano, Viola Davis or Terrence Howard) and atmosphere as striking as the great Pennsylvania cold… everything is there to guarantee you a breathless and unforgettable moment.
Maelstrom
Denis Villeneuve’s greatest admirers may be unbeatable on his unmissable works, but do they know Maelström, one of his very first films?
Bibiane Champagne (Marie-Josée Croze), a young woman of twenty-five, has everything she can dream of. At least, that’s what she thinks…
Her life changes one rainy night when she hits a passerby with her car. The injured, a 53-year-old fishmonger whom she abandoned on the asphalt, managed to return home to die quietly. For Bibiane, this is only the beginning of the chaos.
As intimate and minimalist as Enemy, as powerful in its stakes and its interpretation as Prisoners and Sicario, Maelström is a little unknown nugget that fans of the Canadian director will be keen to discover, if they haven’t already.
Sicario, Prisoners and Maelstrom are available on Prime Video.