Michael Fassbender in the title lawyer role goes through the film increasingly distressed as a result of the Tex-Mex drug deal that engulfs him as a consequence of his corruption. Javier Bardem is evil as Reiner, a wheeler-dealer in the drug world, as is Brad Pitt as Westray. Cameron Diaz plays a slimy, seductress and drug operative named Malinka. The only character for whom one can remotely feel sympathy is Penélope Cruz as Laura, who is bonded with The Counselor and destined to be a victim of those seeking retribution against him.

Scott, with the McCarthy screenplay setting the tone, maximizes the scenes of violence, always ruthless, such as setting a trip wire across a highway to decapitate a motor cyclist, and putting a device around the neck of Westray that will tighten and strangle him in a blood-spurting death on a public street. Step by step the Counselor is increasingly isolated to await his doom.

In an especially strident sex scene, Diaz spreads her legs wide as she mounts an automobile and has sex rubbing against the windshield. We ogle her from outside and inside the car. Call it auto-eroticism.