Soldado: The Soldier (2018) Ending Explained
TL;DR: Soldado: The Soldier (also known as Sicario: Day of the Soldado) concludes with a morally ambiguous and explosive finale. After a botched mission to escalate cartel violence, CIA operative Matt Graver (Josh Brolin) and hitman Alejandro Gillick (Benicio del Toro) find themselves at odds. Alejandro spares the life of Isabela Reyes (Isabela Merced), a cartel princess he was ordered to kill, and goes rogue. The film ends with Alejandro disappearing into Mexico, hinting at his transformation into a vengeful lone wolf. Meanwhile, the U.S. government covers up the failed operation, leaving the war on drugs even more chaotic. The ending sets up potential sequels while reflecting the cyclical, futile nature of the drug war.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending
The final act of Soldado sees Alejandro defying orders by refusing to execute Isabela, a young girl caught in the crossfire of the CIA's covert operation. This moment marks a turning point for his character, as his humanity resurfaces despite his brutal past. Meanwhile, Matt Graver, the pragmatic CIA operative, is forced to clean up the mess, burying evidence of their involvement. The U.S. government disavows the mission, and Alejandro is left for dead-until he resurfaces, wounded but alive, in the Mexican desert. The film's closing shot shows him walking away, suggesting his return to a shadowy, independent existence, possibly setting up a future confrontation with the cartels on his own terms.
Unresolved Questions & Possible Answers
- What happens to Isabela?
- She may return to her cartel family, now aware of U.S. interference.
- She could become a key figure in a sequel, either as a victim or a future player in the drug war.
- Will Alejandro seek revenge against the CIA?
- His survival suggests he'll operate outside the system, possibly targeting those who betrayed him.
- Alternatively, he may continue as a rogue vigilante, hunting cartel leaders independently.
- Does the U.S. government face consequences for the failed operation?
- Unlikely-the film emphasizes real-world bureaucratic cover-ups where accountability is rare.
- Will Matt Graver face repercussions?
- His career might be damaged, but his survival hints he'll continue working in the shadows.
Themes & Moral Ambiguity
The ending reinforces the film's central theme: the futility and moral decay of the war on drugs. The U.S. government's plan to manipulate cartel wars backfires spectacularly, leaving innocent lives ruined and operatives like Alejandro disillusioned. The film refuses to offer a clear hero or resolution, instead presenting a bleak cycle of violence where no side is truly "good." Alejandro's decision to spare Isabela is the closest thing to redemption, but his future remains shrouded in darkness, mirroring the endless conflict he's trapped in.
Potential Sequel Setup
The ambiguous ending leaves ample room for a continuation. Alejandro's survival and disappearance suggest he could return in a future film, possibly as a full-fledged antihero operating outside government control. Meanwhile, Isabela's fate could tie into a larger narrative about the next generation of cartel power. The film's producers have hinted at a potential third installment, which might explore Alejandro's quest for vengeance or a deeper conspiracy within the U.S. intelligence community.
Personal Opinion
Soldado's ending is gripping precisely because it refuses to tie things up neatly. Unlike the first Sicario, which had a more contained conclusion, this film embraces chaos, leaving characters in limbo and the audience questioning who, if anyone, "won." Benicio del Toro's performance as Alejandro is phenomenal, and his arc-from broken hitman to rogue avenger-is the film's emotional core. The lack of closure may frustrate some, but it fits the film's grim realism. If there's a flaw, it's that the plot sometimes feels too sprawling, but the ending's rawness makes up for it. A sequel could be incredible-if it maintains this level of moral complexity.
Would you watch a third film following Alejandro's next chapter?