Civil War (2024)
2024
R
109 Minutes
Action | Science Fiction | Drama
In the near future, a group of war journalists attempt to survive while reporting the truth as the United States stands on the brink of civil war.
User Review
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WHAT I LIKED: It would be possible to depict a modern-day American 'Civil War,' in many different ways, but Alex Garland's new film is simply devoted to translating the indiscriminate horror and insanity of war to its audience. That may be well-worn cinematic territory, but I can't think of any film that does the same job quite as urgently as this.
It helps of course that for many audiences the story literally brings the idea of war *home*. But the real reason it magnifies the horrors so well is because, for one, it barely touches on the reasons behind the fighting so it's just about its effects, and secondly because - rather than soldiers - the film is about a group of journalists observing those effects on *all* fighters and civilians.
Specifically, it follows the world renowned Lee (Kirsten Dunst) and Joel (Wagner Moura) along with the young aspiring Jessie (Cailee Spaeny) and Veteran Sammy (Stephen McKinley) on a journey closer and closer to the front lines of the Capital where rebel forces are advancing on a tyrannical president (Nick Offerman). We see ruined towns and cities with bodies lying round every corner, civilians camping out wherever they can find a haven, and the countless faces of determined but terrified men as they meet their ends in various bloody shoot-outs. Throughout that journey Garland is unflinching with the realism, as his battle scenes are incredibly tense, messy and chaotic, and the impact of every gunshot is felt thanks to the brilliant close-ups as well as Glenn Freemantle's deafening sound design.
All together that makes for an incredibly stark warning about how war is the worst possible outcome, and how we should be cautious of any viewpoint about dehumanising violence or dismantling the status quo.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: Perhaps a little more information on the reasons behind the conflict would have helped us to understand why the soldiers are putting their lives on the line.
VERDICT: Alex Garland's 'Civil War,' brings the horrors of war home with visceral urgency, and that makes for a real gut-punch of a warning.0 member like this review.
