Alex Garland is an incredibly philosophical filmmaker. From films such as Ex Machina and Men, and including his work as a writer on 28 Days Later and Sunshine, Garland has crafted some truly unique existential stories. He contemplates certain allegories such as being human, the origins of mankind and the future of mankind. Garland is extremely careful and selective when it comes to the stories he wants to tell and that makes his latest film Civil War all the more enticing.
Civil War is an unflinching look at a parallel reality where the United States of America is suffering a huge civil war, one that has clearly divided the country and shows the best and the worst parts of American life. The biggest draw with the film is the focus isn't on the military aspect of this war but instead of a group of photojournalists who are travelling across the country in an attempt to speak to the President. Actors Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, Cailee Spaeny and Stephen McKinley Henderson play this group of people. Each one of them giving a sense of depth and morality to each character, their fate in this world uncertain as danger lurks around every corner.
Civil War is a drama and also a thriller. The action elements are grounded, the sound work is sharp and loud with no music dictating how the certain scenes should feel, and instead we’re glued in to the action as it happens in real time. This adds to the tension as you don’t know how to feel and it creates an atmosphere that is completely unnerving. The best scene that captures this feeling is one where Jesse Plemons plays a soldier and is debating on whether to let this group of journalists live or die. The scene has no music and the characters feel like they’re in severe danger and it translates to the screen incredibly well. There are other moments like this in the film and it is a testament to Garland’s abilities as a filmmaker that he’s able to manipulate the audiences emotions in such a visual way.
A24, the studio which distributed this film, has invested a lot of money and has honoured the filmmakers creativity in this project. The result is something you won’t see elsewhere in the cinematic landscape. The film feels like a huge risk with some very important themes on display which are very relevant to modern politics. Civil War has scope too with some gorgeous visuals showing a destroyed America that feels very post-apocalyptic. Yet, the style and tone that the film conveys is not something you’ve seen before. It feels modern and yet it could also be the future. With little focus on technology, Civil War could easily be a snapshot into what tomorrow could look like. Civil War will create and draw up conversations on the modern age, the value of humanity and just how war affects the world around us. I believe you won’t get any other film quite like this one and it is definitely a piece of cinema you don’t want to miss.
★★★★★
5/5
Final Verdict:
Civil War is a masterpiece in storytelling. The camera work, cinematography and sound design all create an immersive experience that almost makes this feel like a true story. All the characters feel raw and alive with everyone delivering a truly authentic depiction of what living in a country suffering from a civil war feels like. The film is extremely urgent and timely with parts of the world currently suffering the harsh conditions of war. Civil War highlights the true nature of a divided society and the film acts as a true cautionary tale of the effects war has on both politics and more importantly humanity.
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Alex Murray, the Head of Eyesight Productions