AceShowbiz - Every major streaming platform has attempted to replicate the success of Taylor Sheridan’s acclaimed works, particularly his hit series Yellowstone. Although Netflix famously passed on Sheridan’s flagship show, it has since sought to develop family-oriented dramas targeting similar audiences. Despite these efforts, few have matched Sheridan’s consistent achievements, which are largely concentrated on the Paramount+ streaming service.

Before dominating streaming, Sheridan made his mark in cinema with a trilogy of neo-noir films connected by tone and theme. These films earned him critical praise and an Oscar nomination. The first entry, Sicario, was directed by Denis Villeneuve and starred Emily Blunt, Daniel Kaluuya, Josh Brolin, and Benicio Del Toro. It remains Sheridan’s only theatrical film to spawn a sequel.

The follow-up, Sicario: Day of the Soldado, released in 2018, is widely regarded as not living up to the original. Neither Villeneuve nor Blunt returned for the sequel, although Brolin and Del Toro reprised their roles. Directed by Stefano Sollima, the film garnered less favorable reviews and failed to match the worldwide box office earnings of the first installment.

Plans for a third film, tentatively titled Sicario: Capos, were announced, with Del Toro expected to return as the lead. Production was reportedly delayed by the industry-wide strikes in 2023, but the project remains active. Meanwhile, an unrelated group of filmmakers seized on the popularity of the Sicario name to release a movie many viewers have mistaken as the franchise’s next chapter.

This film, titled Night of the Sicario, premiered in 2021 and stars Natasha Henstridge, Costas Mandylor, and Addison Kendall. Its storyline, involving an agent protecting a young girl from drug cartels, bears a resemblance to the plot of Sicario 2. Directed by Joth Riggs, Night of the Sicario lacks a Rotten Tomatoes score and holds a low IMDb rating of 3.4 out of 10, reflecting widespread viewer dissatisfaction.

Many fans expressed frustration upon realizing the movie is not connected to Sheridan’s Sicario series. One viewer remarked, "I, among many, many others, got this movie because we thought it was the third in Taylor Sheridan's franchise." The confusion has been exacerbated by the fact that Night of the Sicario is streaming on Paramount+, the same platform that hosts Sheridan’s original works.

The film’s cast includes Costas Mandylor as Agent Cole Bennett, Natasha Henstridge as Taylor Ward, Manny Perez as Leon, and Roberto 'Sanz' Sanchez as Sid. Despite its thriller and action elements, the movie has not been well-received critically or commercially.

While Sheridan’s brand continues to grow, with fans eagerly awaiting the next official Sicario installment, the existence of unrelated productions like Night of the Sicario adds to the confusion surrounding the franchise.

Stay tuned to Collider for further updates on Taylor Sheridan’s upcoming works and developments in the Sicario series.