Amid an intense civil war in the United States, a team of journalists embark on a cross-country journey to capture the upcoming attack on the White House. Accompanied by a young and inexperienced newbie, they will witness the horrors first-hand while documenting the entire event, putting their own lives at risk in the process.
Written and directed by Alex Garland, Civil War is an exhilarating ride, not for the faint of heart, as it places you in the middle of a war-torn America. Though it takes place in a dystopian future, it feels so grounded in reality that the horrifying revelations are palpable. Sadly, it’s a very timely film as well.
The movie is full of anxiety-inducing scenes from start to finish; you won’t find a moment of calmness to leave the edge of your seat. Garland expertly captures every bit of tension and uncertainty throughout the film, with several scenes that leave you breathless. Even leaving the entire theater in silence in moments of sheer shock that Garland allows you to stew in — you could hear a pin drop
The film features Kirsten Dunst as Lee, a renowned war photojournalist, alongside Wagner Moura and Stephen McKinley Henderson, who play her colleagues. Through their characters, the movie provides a close-up view of what it’s like to be a spectator of war. As you watch, you become increasingly disturbed by the atrocities committed and the fact that no one intervenes.
The three, particularly Lee, have become somewhat desensitized. Their objective is clear: to document the destruction and casualties so that others can witness it themselves. Without their efforts, the world would remain in the dark, but their actions can also raise ethical questions regarding their practices to capture the perfect shot.
New to their crew is Jessie, portrayed by Cailee Spaeny. She is a naive photographer who idolizes Lee and jumps at the chance to shadow her hero. Jessie is eager to follow in Lee’s career footsteps, but Lee doesn’t sugarcoat the reality of the situations they will face.
In general, the cast of the movie is exceptional. Dunst and Spaeny deliver incredible performances, navigating through intense subject matter and exhaustive scenes with ease, while building a deeper connection between their characters — almost sisterly. But Dunst really does an impeccable job portraying a character unlike anything she’s played before.
I also must mention Nick Offerman‘s brief but fantastic performance as the President of the United States. He is truly unrecognizable as the character and he does so effortlessly.
It’s easy to assume that Civil War would be a very divisive film, but interestingly, it does not aim to depict two sides in a tangible sense. While it alludes to a real incident from several years ago, it remains neutral and doesn’t take sides. While you can make assumptions, no clear motives or personas are given. You won’t find yourself sitting there trying to figure out whose side you’re on or who is right. The story is solely about exposing the horrors of war and the photojournalists who capture it all.
You may find it unusual to see a British filmmaker directing a highly dramatized American thriller, but I think there’s value in having an outside perspective that provides an intriguing outlook. Especially after so many contentious years where it feels like we’re on the precipice of something similar. Which is why the film is such a thought-provoking experience.
Civil War is a film that will leave you thinking about it long after watching it. On the surface, it appears to be an action-packed thrill ride that will get your blood pumping. However, when you sit and unpack what you’ve seen, you’ll come out with a different mindset. As someone who is not a fan of war films, this movie certainly stood out to me and was one of the most impressive films I saw at SXSW.
Civil War hits theaters April 12
Jordy Reviews It 
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