Emily Blunt's character, Alice Bobbitt, serves as a moral compass for the audience, as she grapples with the moral implications of the task force's actions. Her character arc is significant, as she transitions from a naive and idealistic FBI agent to a more cynical and world-weary individual.
The film also explores the theme of masculinity, particularly through the characters of Graver and Herdia. Both characters embody a traditional masculine ideal, but as the story progresses, their facades are slowly stripped away, revealing more vulnerable and complex individuals.
The film's narrative is presented in a non-linear fashion, with a focus on the protagonist, Matt Graver (Josh Brolin), a US Department of Justice task force leader. The story begins with Graver's team, which includes FBI agent Alice Bobbitt (Emily Blunt), conducting a raid on a Mexican cartel. However, the operation goes awry, and Graver is forced to seek assistance from the CIA.