Movies

Alex Garland’s Warfare: 3 Weeks Later, These Realities Still Haunt Me

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You know a film is exceptional when it lingers in your thoughts long after you’ve watched it. Three weeks have passed since my viewing of “Warfare,” directed by Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza, and I find myself still captivated by it. This movie was high on my list of anticipated films for the 2025 release schedule. The sound design was chilling, the performances were outstanding, but what truly left an indelible mark on me is how authentic the film felt.

I thoroughly enjoyed the film “Civil War” last year, so I was thrilled when I learned that Garland was planning a sequel titled “Warfare“. The way he portrayed journalists venturing into an ongoing conflict really captivated me. The ambiguous ending of “Civil War” sparked intriguing discussions, and I hoped his next project would be equally engaging. And indeed, it surpassed my expectations.

Hollywood Loves Making Sensational Movies About War

Let me clarify that I don’t have a military background myself, but I come from a family with members who served and friends who were in active duty or deployed to war zones. Our bond is strengthened by our mutual love for cinema, which often leads us to discuss the accuracy of war-themed movies. Despite our shared enthusiasm for action-packed, thrilling films about heroic missions, there’s a common consensus that most Hollywood war movies are far from realistic. We even compiled a list of great war movies, but some lean more towards fantasy than others.

Some outstanding war movies with a focus on realism truly resonate. For me, Black Hawk Down stands out. It vividly portrays the raw brutality and chaos of combat, showing us the fear and exhaustion soldiers experience. It also underscores the psychological toll that constant gunfire takes on them. What sets this film apart is its basis on the Battle of Mogadishu, a real-life event, lending an authenticity that avoids any glamorization of war, making it deeply moving.

In contrast, while there are many realistic films depicting the hardships and destruction of war, an abundance of films can be categorized as unbridled adventure stories for boys. These often feature large weapons, powerful firearms, and quick wit encapsulated in one-liners. The Rambo series is a prime example of war movies that I believe fall under this category, with their excessive violence and highly stylized portrayal. Similarly, any movie from the Expendables franchise showcases action that’s nonstop and orchestrated more like a dance routine than an authentic war scene.

While it’s thrilling to witness Arnold Schwarzenegger or Sylvester Stallone effortlessly escape a building explosion or defeat numerous adversaries without a hitch, such scenarios are far from what transpires in actuality. The flawless execution of unattainable stunts and excessive explosions may provide entertainment, but they hardly mirror real-life events.

We Are Seeing More Realism About War In TV And Film

In terms of war-themed films and series, I find myself particularly enthused when they show an attention to detail, even if not every aspect is perfectly realistic. A movie that exemplified this was “American Sniper”. In one scene, Chris Kyle (played by Bradley Cooper) notices a man with a bruised elbow. This might seem insignificant to some, but veterans understand that snipers often lie prone for extended periods, which can cause elbow bruising. It’s such specific details that resonate deeply with those who have experienced it. When discussing the film’s production, Garland mentioned in an interview with CNN:

“It’s an exercise in trying to recreate a real sequence of events as accurately as possible.”

Warfare Is Raw, Real, and Unapologetic

I was truly amazed by the uncensored and authentic portrayal of Warfare. In his review, our Eric Eisenberg acknowledged its striking realism. The actors in Warfare skillfully depicted the genuine responses men might have during war, with some showing fear while others maintained their composure. They were left battered and bruised, taking time before jumping back into the fray to kill more enemies.

On our adventure with the Alpha One Navy SEAL team, unexpected complications arise, forcing them to reassess their strategy. It’s during these challenging moments that Warfare truly shines, demonstrating the raw, intimidating, and non-glamorous nature of combat – a stark contrast to the typical portrayal in movies.

The Sounds In The Film Were Another Layer Of Realism

In Warfare, the way sounds are crafted significantly impacts the portrayal of action. Unlike traditional war films that bombard our ears with aggressive sounds, this narrative employs an unexpected approach, often immersing you in profound silence. This absence of sound can be unsettling, and at times, you find yourself enveloped by it, on edge. The sound design in Warfare is so powerful that it took my breath away, particularly during a scene where a grenade explodes and the subsequent silence leaves you feeling the full impact of the moment. It’s as if the weight of everything comes crushing down on you at that instant.

In contrast, certain scenes in the movie “Warfare” are so intensely loud they resonate in your very core. Twice, the display of force is invoked, and when the jets fly overhead, you’re instantly rooted to your seat. The sound is overwhelming, and the sight of the ground beneath being churned up by their passage underscores their immense power. Although there’s a good deal of gunfire and tank fire throughout the film, it doesn’t permeate the entire movie like some war films do. There are also harrowing screams from wounded soldiers that linger in my memory. The depiction of shock, fear, and agony was heart-rending and left nothing to the imagination about its brutality. It was far from beautiful.

War isn’t always noisy or filled with non-stop action as portrayed in many movies. A wise saying my friend once shared beautifully encapsulates this: “War is prolonged periods of monotony interspersed with instances of sheer terror.” In reality, warfare often involves long hours of waiting for commands, taking detailed notes, observing the surroundings, communicating via radio, and reporting on local activity. Mostly, it’s a lot of idle time until chaos erupts.

Warfare Is A Tribute To The Soldiers

After the conflict had ended, I paused for a brief spell to regain my composure. The duo of Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza, who jointly directed this film, achieved something extraordinary in just 95 minutes within this genre; an accomplishment I thought was beyond reach. It felt like a taste of military service, a reminder we all could use. This movie is gritty and graphic, leaving an indelible mark because it’s unvarnished. Rather than resorting to sensationalistic gore for effect, they presented authenticity – something I believe is far more impactful. In my view, authenticity delivers a punch that nothing else can match.

It’s been a while since we’ve seen a film that portrays combat realistically, capturing the challenges soldiers encounter. These individuals are not mere machines; they are family members – uncles, brothers, and partners. They are any man or woman who endured basic training, donned the uniform, and safeguarded our nation. The creation of Warfare is dedicated to them.

I too found the film’s finale thought-provoking. It didn’t have a typical Hollywood closure, serving as a stark reminder that war often ends without fairy tale resolutions. Regardless of where it takes place, conflict persists worldwide, and for those who serve, departing from the battlefield doesn’t necessarily mean escaping the strife.

After the closing credits, a glimpse into the film’s making process is provided, featuring some of the real-life individuals who inspired the movie. Watching them interact with the actors, like Cosmo Jarvis in Shōgun, and the rest of the cast was incredibly touching for me. It was evident that they were closely observing their actions and directions. The mutual respect between the cast and crew is palpable. Even the final picture of everyone flipping off the camera seems oddly endearing.

Go See Warfare in Theaters

As a cinema enthusiast, I can’t help but recommend “Warfare” as a must-see masterpiece on the big screen. This film powerfully portrays the heavy toll war takes on humanity, inviting you to delve deep into its narrative. If you’re searching for a movie that stirs both excitement and apprehension, “Warfare” certainly doesn’t disappoint. I truly believe there’s no more immersive way to witness it than in a theater setting. I must say, I’m impressed by the partnership between Alex Garland and A24, and I eagerly anticipate further collaborations from them in the upcoming A24 movie lineup.

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2025-05-03 23:09

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