Alex Garland’s Civil War takes us on a nightmarish journey into a frenetic world torn apart by fratricidal conflict, where the very fabric of society is unravelling amidst the chaos of battle. In this futurist-dystopian action thriller, Garland (Ex-Machina, Annihilation) stages a spectacular, yet strangely politically ambiguous, portrayal of civil unrest, where the true causes of the war remain shrouded in mystery
The film follows a group of intrepid war photographers, led by Lee (Kirsten Dunst), as they navigate a world destroyed by the folly of a nation engulfed in its self-destruction. Their mission is to capture the harrowing realities of war and, hopefully, the downfall of the Commander-in-chief.
The ensemble cast deliver strong performances, with Dunst commanding the screen as the seasoned veteran Lee, her expression a mix of PTSD and despair in the face of unspeakable horrors. Narcos alum Wagner Moura shines as Joel, the fearless reporter whose mission is to get an interview with the crumbling nation’s soon-to-be-defeated Commander in chief (played brilliantly by Nick Offerman). For her part Cailee Spaeny gives a breathtakingly precise performance as wide eyed ingenue Jessie, an aspiring photojournalist attempting to make a name for herself in a war where there are no winners.
Despite its thematic ambiguity, Civil War does delivers a tense and gripping climax—an intense Call of Duty-style invasion of the White House looks almost too real. Here, Garland offers a glimpse of believable horror and delirium which often echoes the madness of the January 6 Capitol attack.
This is a visceral and thought-provoking exploration of the human cost of conflict. While its reluctance to delve into the underlying causes of war may leave some questions unanswered, its haunting imagery and compelling performances ensure that it remains a captivating and unforgettable cinematic experience.
