‘Civil War’ Movie Review: Alex Garland’s Powerful, Brutal Warning & Ode To Journalism Is Unwaveringly Intense
Photo from A24
From Joe Peltzer
Alex Garland’s Men tested my patience with pervasive tension and uneasiness, especially in the third act. In Civil War, the unique filmmaker ratchets it all up to the maximum, resulting in test of endurance for heart rates and sweat glands alike. Without taking a side, Garland paints an acutely visceral and effective picture of the terrors of modern warfare through the apt narrative vehicles of journalists chasing the story.
Kirsten Dunst leads the cast as well-known photojournalist Lee, accompanied by Wagner Moura’s Joel as they hatch plans to take a risky trip to nation’s capital to interview the embattled United States president. Accompanied by Stephen Henderson’s Sammy and Cailee Spaeny’s Jessie, their journey takes them through a ravaged American terrain littered with the deceased and brimming with hostile dangers at every turn. At a time when the country is fully embattled in political vitriol and states are actively discussing secession, Civil War’s premise stirs nervous anticipation prior to sitting down for the start of the film.
Garland’s latest takes off from the very first scenes, launching like a bat of hell and never taking the foot off of the gas. Civil War is unapologetic in how in-your-face it is with the brutality and graphic depictions of a war-torn landscape. Dunst leads the way, her character’s experiences and intensity driving much of the narrative as Spaeny’s young up-and-coming photojournalist soaks in every ounce of wisdom. The juxtaposition of young and old, fresh and weathered, innocent and jaded lays the foundation for an interesting developmental trek that showcases journalistic vigor. For Dunst, her performance is a stunning follow-up to 2021’s The Power of the Dog (with husband and co-star Jesse Clemons making a statement in his short cameo in this film). Spaeny has quite simply never been better, her character challenged with an emotional journey that forces her to face realities no one should ever have to. Moura and Henderson round out the crew, both bringing humor and unique wisdom to the film’s central exploration and ultimate defense of journalism in general.
Garland never bows to the expectations that the film will take a political stand. Instead, save for a few jabs that are sure to lead to some raised eyebrows and real world associations, we’re never told what led to the conflict, nor what each of the fractured sects of the country stand for. The choice results in the focus remaining with the main protagonists, through whom we are confronted with the horrors and realities of deadly warfare. It is there that Civil War breeds anxiety, uneasiness, and pure dread that carries through from beginning to end. I can’t say that I didn’t want more shared about the history of the conflict, but the creative choice is effective nonetheless.
Technically Civil War is a marvel. The film’s most jarring and impactful moments are accentuated by a distinctive, powerful sound design; one moment in particular made me question whether I was having a heart attack (seriously). A haunting score further instigates the somber mood that sets a memorable, hard-to-forget tone. The cinematography takes you straight into the action, whether that is alongside the photojournalists as they risk life and limb for a monumental shot or we’re in the middle of bullets, bombs, and death.
Look, Civil War is the most intense film I have seen in forever, a terrifyingly realistic look at a ruptured republic that does not shy away from its warnings through its powerful delivery. It’s one that I cannot stop thinking about to this very moment of writing and one that will stick with audiences far and wide for a long time to come. The film also cements Garland as one of the best modern filmmakers of our time.
Rating: 4.5/5
Civil War hits theaters on Friday.
