Alex Garland, renowned for his exploration of division and conflict in Civil War, shifts his focus to the brutal realities of combat in his latest film, Warfare. The movie, co-directed by Garland and military veteran Ray Mendoza, immerses viewers in a harrowing 90-minute real-time account of a 2006 US Navy SEAL mission in Iraq. Starring Will Poulter, Cosmo Jarvis, and Charles Melton, the film pulls no punches in depicting the intense physical and emotional toll of war.
In one of the film’s most gut-wrenching moments, Joseph Quinn’s screams of pain echo throughout the scene, a relentless reminder of the severity of his injuries. His character’s leg, a gaping, bloody wound, underscores the film’s commitment to authenticity, presenting combat not as a series of events, but as an ongoing, traumatic experience that doesn’t spare the viewer. This raw approach is what makes Warfare stand out—its attention to detail, heightened by the real-world wars still unfolding in places like Gaza and Ukraine, gives the film a sense of urgency that feels incredibly timely.
While Civil War depicted a near-future, politically fractured America, Warfare keeps its focus on the reality of warfare itself, with no political affiliations or allegiances. The film’s depiction of a relatively minor operation in Iraq—a mission involving surveillance before a larger ground assault—becomes an intensely personal journey for each soldier involved.
The narrative begins with a group of SEALs quietly infiltrating a small Iraqi town. Tension builds as they seize control of a house, pulling its residents out of bed and preparing for the mission ahead. Soon, an al-Qaeda group is spotted, but the encounter turns deadly when a grenade shatters their position. What follows is a shocking and visceral sequence, highlighted by explosions, blood, and the overwhelming sound of suffering.
Garland and Mendoza’s commitment to realism is evident in the film’s documentary-style approach. The screenplay is based entirely on the testimonies of the men who were part of the real mission, with no invented plot twists or contrived drama. The soldiers’ dialogue is stripped down to the military lingo they would use in such a high-stakes scenario. Though the lack of backstory for the characters may seem cold, the actors’ powerful performances carry the emotional weight of the story.
Woon-A-Tai, playing Mendoza himself, stands out as a communications officer caught between the chaos of the battlefield and the responsibility of keeping the operation running smoothly. His role is crucial, as any failure in his communications could spell disaster for the team. Will Poulter plays the officer leading the SEALs, offering one of the few memorable lines: “Look for the blood and the smoke. We’re there.”
Joseph Quinn’s portrayal of a soldier under extreme duress is remarkable, with his performance turning from fear to pure agony as his character is severely injured. His constant, gut-wrenching screams serve as a haunting backdrop to the tactical maneuvers the other soldiers are forced to make as they attempt to save him.
Garland’s skill in crafting tension is showcased when the SEALs try to make their escape, only for another grenade to explode in the street, engulfing the scene in smoke and chaos. The aftermath is visceral—men are wounded, and a severed leg lies on the ground, a stark reminder of the brutal realities of war.
Unlike many war films that focus on political contexts, Warfare centers on the soldiers, presenting them as the true victims of the conflict. However, the film doesn’t ignore the larger implications of the war. The Iraqi civilians, though not central to the narrative, leave a powerful impact. In one harrowing scene, a family is held at gunpoint as their home is destroyed around them—merely a casualty of the SEALs’ mission. This moment serves as a reminder of the innocent lives affected by global conflicts, regardless of the country in question.
Apolitical as it may be, Warfare challenges the viewer to question the wisdom of solving conflicts with violence, exposing the human cost of war in its most intimate and brutal form.
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