Alex Garland’s previous film, Civil War, created an immersive experience for audiences to explore an alternate reality through the perspective of journalists covering a fictional modern American Civil War. His latest film, Warfare, takes a different approach on the immersive spectrum by presenting a brutally realistic portrayal of a U.S. Navy SEAL platoon during the Battle of Ramadi in the Iraq War. Based on a true event that co-writer and co-director Ray Mendoza experienced during his service, Warfare combines Mendoza’s military background with Garland’s neutral and captivating style. This collaboration results in a unique and enthralling film, anchored by a talented ensemble cast and enhanced by overstimulating audio and visuals.
There isn’t much of a story in Warfare beyond experiencing the challenges faced by a SEAL squad in the heat of battle. This film retells a dangerous mission involving a Navy SEALs platoon headed by leading Officer Erik (Will Poulter) as they get trapped behind enemy lines. Conceptually, it is similar to Black Hawk Down, but it never strays from the immediate area of combat. The focus remains entirely on the squad in real-time, creating an anxiety-inducing style of filmmaking that most audiences may not be accustomed to, especially in a war setting. Many war films will often shift focus away from the action to provide a momentary narrative break, but Warfare does not allow for such breaks. You are thrust into the experience of this US Navy SEAL team, immersed in the reality of their situation.
The sense of realism in the film Warfare is heightened by its lack of a musical score. It opens with a wholesome scene of brotherly camaraderie, featuring soldiers dancing to Eric Prydz’s “Call on Me.” The film concludes with another song, “Dancing and Blood” by Low. Warfare is devoid of a score and is instead filled with the sounds of the environment of war. Ambient sounds, such as locals yelling, dogs barking, and footsteps getting louder, serve as audio cues—not only for the characters but also for the audience—emphasizing that everything we hear is intentional.
This lack of a musical score contributes to the film’s realistic depiction of a day in the life of a U.S. Navy SEAL in battle. In real life, there is no dramatic orchestra playing in the background; all you hear are the sounds of war. The audio in Warfare almost seems exaggerated at times, with deafening gunfire and tinnitus-inducing explosions. This serves as a reminder that firearms are very loud, and audiences have become accustomed to unrealistic gun sounds in action films.
Mendoza and Garland want to convey the reality of what guns truly sound like, along with the repercussions of being near gunfire. One of the film’s most shocking scenes is particularly effective because of its incredible sound design. As a result, it delivers a more frightening jump scare than many modern horror movies could achieve.
The sound design in Warfare is not only memorable but also complemented by an impressive cast that includes Charles Melton, Joseph Quinn, D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Will Poulter, Cosmo Jarvis, and Michael Gandolfini. This could go down as Once Upon a Time in Hollywood level of casting. With a blend of rising stars and established actors, each performer brought a distinct identity to their character, making it easy to differentiate among them in such a chaotic film. Mendoza initially considered hiring actual military personnel to portray the characters, similar to the approach taken in The 15:17 to Paris. However, Garland noted that due to time constraints and the need for actors to navigate extensive scenes, they ultimately required the professionalism and experience of seasoned actors.
This ended up working out because even though actual military personnel have experienced these kinds of battles, the sheer emotional training and perseverance that the actors can portray needs that level of acting training, and the cast of Warfare did just that. The intense vernacular of military code, the effects of PTSD, and the sheer agony of pain are just some of the things that these actors had to embody, and everybody did their part. There was one performance that I initially found hard to believe due to how young the character looked, and his actions seemed less genuine at first. However, it’s important to remember that the military is filled with young recruits who have just enlisted, and sometimes this is their first experience in combat. The level of shock they experience can be difficult to emulate. Nevertheless, D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai evolved into his role and became increasingly convincing as the film progressed.
There’s a strong argument to be had about whether Warfare is an anti-war or pro-war film. But watching these kids, barely 18 to 20 years old, caught up in the chaos of battle, really makes you think about what they go through when trauma hits. Most war films don’t dig into that aspect, but Warfare hits differently. My limited knowledge of the Iraq War, paired with its gritty realism, makes me feel for these young men risking everything. Sure, you could say this applies to any war, but Warfare is the first film that really got to me on that level. It’s powerful stuff that sticks with you long after the credits roll.
Final Thoughts:
Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza have set a new standard in portraying the intense realities of war. With gripping sound effects and raw performances, they capture the essence of warfare in a way that will be difficult to replicate. Ray Mendoza has found his calling as an advisor for these types of films, drawing from his military experiences. Although war films can be divisive from various viewpoints, I believe that as long as Mendoza is involved, the project will be in good hands.
4.5/5
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Ever since my mom took me to go see The Blair Witch Project in theaters when I was 7 years old I’ve been obsessed with not just movies but the horror genre. When I’m not watching movies you can find me thrifting, attending a local horror convention, or collecting physical media. I attended the University of Central Florida with a degree in Cinema Studies and use my degree to rant about movies online.
MY FAVORITE MOVIES: The Cabin in the Woods, Cabaret, Seven Samurai, The Blair Witch Project, Inglourious Basterds