Civil War (2024) movie review

Civil War is not a commentary on war. Neither is it a movie about current politics. Writer-director Alex Garland has expertly created an alternate world where America is undergoing political turmoil resulting in a civil war. This genius move makes the movie timeless and a comment on our society. 

The movie begins in the middle of the war as the American President (Nick Offerman) prepares to give a speech on national TV. He is a controversial character who is quite naturally the cause of the war. He hasn’t given an interview for the last 18 months.

The protagonists Lee (Kirsten Dunst) and Joel (Wagner Moura) intend to get the ultimate scoop by interviewing the President, travelling from New York to D.C. Lee is a seasoned and celebrated photojournalist who has covered war-torn regions in other parts of the world. She is one of the heroes of the young Jessie (Cailee Spaeny) who also aspires to be a photojournalist and has left her farm life in Missouri to cover the Civil War. Jessie and Sammy (Stephen McKinley Henderson) join Lee and Joel on their trip to D.C., despite Lee’s protests about Jessie being on the trip given the risks involved in their mission.

The group bonds through the beautiful American landscape while witnessing the decline of their society. The slow escalation of the intensity in the film is extremely effective.

Seeing a war unfold in a powerful, stable nation with such vividity is unusual and the result is harrowing. Since the movie revolves around photojournalism, Rob Hardy, the cinematographer, takes cues from war photographers giving the movie a realistic texture reminiscent of the film Full Metal Jacket. Each image is clear and precise and hence, striking. Complementary to the photography is the sound as each gunshot hits hard and leaves a mark. The music in the movie is also effectively offbeat.

The movie has several great moments like the one shown in the trailer with Jesse Plemons. It’s an incredible scene and like the movie, it’s best to be experienced without spoilers. One of the most hard-hitting movie climaxes seen in recent times, the flux of emotions Civil War takes you through leaves a lasting impact.

The War brings chaos of political affiliations, and at times people are unaware who they’re shooting at. The fact that our main characters are journalists barely keeps them safe. Lee, Joel and Sammy are used to seeing violence up close but Jessie has a difficult time, despite her passion for journalism. Spaeny’s performance evokes empathy for Jessie, capturing her transformation throughout the movie.

Moura continues to affirm his range by playing Joel; a cool, hippyish, upstanding journalist addicted to the rush of working in battle zones. Henderson, usually seen in smaller roles, has a much meatier part here as Sammy. Sammy is the wise, old member of the group who provides nuggets of wisdom with his experience and instinct and shares a closer bond with Lee. 

Lee is showing signs that her profession is taking a toll on her and is experiencing a bit of a crisis, She is dismayed by the state of her country. Her protective instincts kick in around Jessie though, adding purpose to her journey. Dunst has a certain intelligence in her eyes that’s perfectly suited for Lee. Her embodiment of Lee is so absolute that it’s hard to envision another actor doing a better job in this role. In a career that spans four decades, this is an actor at the top of their game delivering one of their most memorable performances.

The movie’s quieter moments are just as potent thanks to Garland’s astute writing. At one point during their journey, the group enter a town that seems untouched by the ongoing war. With most of the country being battle-scarred, a shopkeeper from the town explains that they prefer to simply stay out of it. In a sense, the movie looks realistic because it is real. People are always at war in some part of the world while the rest of us turn a blind eye to it not unlike the shopkeeper.

Alex Garland has made a staggering film that packs enough punches to leave you gasping for breath. Like his other work, Civil War is a conversation starter. It is not only an important film, but also film-making at its finest, and without a doubt the best movie of 2024 so far.