Alex Garland’s Civil War Movie Review
Written by John Darius
A24 is an American independent entertainment company that was founded by Daniel Katz, David Fenkel, and John Hodges. Over the years, they’ve gone on in becoming a certified platform for indie filmmakers worldwide. Creating a safe space where original stories can be told. Many of the films A24 has produced have helped in gaining a large following by audiences and critics alike. While also going as far as being nominated as some of the Oscars best contenders to come in ages. Some films that have gotten such recognition to name a few are: Room (2015), The Lobster (2015), Moonlight (2016), Lady Bird (2017), The Disaster Artist (2017), The Lighthouse (2019), and of course most recently directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert’s Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022) which went on in winning six Oscars as well as Best Picture in 2023.
One other director that has helped A24 earn the name it’s well deserved within the last decade is none other than Alex Garland. From films in Ex Machina (2014), Annihilation (2018), and Men (2022). Garland has created masterpiece after masterpiece… Solidifying to audiences why he’s one of the best of the best working today. While also in the end, bringing new life into the sci-fi genre and cinema as a whole.
Now in 2024, Alex Garland is back with his new film Civil War. A story that may not lean too much into science fiction this time around, but instead more so reflecting our current times as a society, and how damaged our world has become these last recent years.
Civil War Synopsis:
In a dystopian future America, a team of military-embedded journalists races against time to reach Washington, D.C., before rebel factions descend upon the White House.
In his latest film, Garland showcases a distressed America that is at odds with itself. Different states at war with each other. Forming into different factions from Loyalist states, Western Forces, Florida Alliance, and New People’s Army. Each group serving a different cause from the next. Chaos has people living in fear with the country slowly deteriorating day by day. Journalists are now looked upon as a ray of hope at a time full of pain and sorrow. Many have begun to look to them for truth, and are need of healing. Wanting to put an end to a senseless war that has left their society broken, corrupt, and divided.
Our main protagonist Lee Smith (Kristen Dunst) is traveling to the white house alongside her colleagues Joel (Wagner Moura) and Sammy (Stephen McKinley Henderson) in hopes of finding the president and understanding what is the end goal for their country. An aspiring young photographer from Missouri by the name of Jessie (Caliee Spaeny) also accompanies them as an admirer of Lee, and is in hopes of finding out the truth of what’s going on at the heart of this massive warfare. Throughout the course of their journey the group runs into danger unlike anything they’ve ever seen before, and are put to the test coming across some of the most vicious people imaginable. Eager to put an end to this bloodshed, Lee and her team are driven by their determination and resilience in wanting to find meaning behind this conflict. While fighting for a better tomorrow. In the end, what they discover is even more than what they could have ever anticipated. A country plagued in darkness led by a government who at the center of it all has sadly lost its way.
Now being geared as one of the best films to come of 2024. Civil War is a MUST-SEE, and is a story that strongly reflects our bleak future if we as people are not careful with the leaders we chose to help govern this country. Throughout this movie, Garland showcases humanity at its lowest. Giving viewers an incredibly deeper insight into what we as individuals can evolve into over time. While revealing the ramifications of how fear itself can destroy us as human beings. The tension all through the course of this film is at its highest, and will surely leave one breathless from beginning to end. Both shocking and riveting at its core, Civil War places us as an audience at the forefront of war itself and raises questions on where our nation might be heading in the coming years… Beautiful cinematography done by Rob Hardy, and wonderful music bought in by Ben Salisbury and Geoff Barrow. Another massive hit by Garland and may very well be his best film to date!
The cast involved is absolutely phenomenal with rising star Caliee Spaeny quietly taking lead as one of the best actresses to come in her generation. Giving a performance that is both heartfelt and powerful for the story Garland has created. This film as a whole had some of the best acting I’ve seen all this year, and is unequivocally in a class of its own. Easily some of the best actors to come of 2024, and truly makes this watch worth every minute of its runtime.
If you haven’t already, I strongly advise everyone go see this masterfully well-made film directed and written by Alex Garland. It is a one of the most important features you’ll see all this year. Trust when I say, you won’t regret it.
Be sure to leave us your comments on what you thought of the film. We’d love to hear from you! Peace and love to all.
CIVIL WAR TRAILER:
DISCLAIMER:
NONE OF THE IMAGES USED IN THIS ARTICLE ARE OWNED BY WRITER OR WEBSITE!