CIVIL WAR (2024) – My rating: 9/10

“Civil War” is an epic dystopian action war film written and directed by Alex Garland. It follows a team of journalists traveling across the United States during a civil war that has engulfed the nation.

The trailers were quite interesting and the plot motivated me to see this gripping, modern tale that could, very well, be where we are heading. “Civil War” was a real eye-opener.

A civil war has erupted between an authoritarian United States government and various regional factions. The president (Nick Offerman), who is serving a third term, claims that victory is close at hand. Renowned war photographer Lee Smith (Kirsten Dunst) saves aspiring photojournalist Jessie Cullen (Cailee Spaeny) from a suicide bombing in Brooklyn.

Map depicting the division of the United States in the movie
Loyalist states
Western Forces
Florida Alliance
New People’s Army

Lee and her colleague Joel intend to travel to Washington, D.C., to interview and photograph the president before the city falls. Lee’s mentor Sammy (Stephen McKinley Henderson) asks to accompany them as far as Charlottesville, where the Western Forces (“WF”) of Texas and California are assembling. Despite Lee’s hesitance, she and Joel (Wagner Moura) agree. Unbeknownst to Lee, Jessie convinces Joel to take her with them.

After departing the city, the group stops at a rural gas station protected by armed men, not police or military. Lee successfully negotiates a purchase of fuel with Canadian dollars. Meanwhile, Jessie wanders off to a nearby car wash she saw on the road. There she finds two men being tortured by the owners, who claim that the men are looters. One owner follows Jessie, but Lee defuses the situation by taking a photo of the man posed with his victims. After leaving, Jessie berates herself for being too scared to take photos.

“Civil War” is a cinematic exploration of the consequences of division within a nation. Its narrative echoes what happens when we don’t learn from historical events. It serves as a cautionary tale, illustrating the potential chaos that could ensue from a fractured society. The movie portrays a dystopian scenario where trust is a rarity, and societal collapse mirrors the anarchy seen in shows like “The Walking Dead.” It’s a stark reminder of the value of law and order, and the dangers of a society where everyone is armed and suspicion reigns. The film delves into the complexities of human behavior during times of conflict, suggesting that even the military could become a divided force. “Civil War” invites viewers to reflect on the importance of unity and the perils of a divided nation, urging us to consider the implications of our choices on democracy and freedom. It’s a plea for awareness and prevention of a tragedy that could befall any nation, emphasizing the need for dialogue and understanding to maintain the fabric of society. What is freedom and what does it look like? A dictatorship takes away the meaning of freedom. I hope everyone goes to see this movie, it is truly worth the watch. “Civil War” is currently playing in theaters — Check it Out!

WHO’s WHO:
(Kirsten Dunst) – Lee Smith:
A renowned war photojournalist from Colorado. She is said to be the youngest-ever member of the Magnum Photos cooperative. The character’s first name is a reference to famed World War II photojournalist Lee Miller

(Wagner Moura) – Joel:
A Reuters journalist from Florida and Lee’s colleague

(Cailee Spaeny) – Jessie Cullen:
An aspiring young photographer from Missouri who accompanies Lee and Joel on their journey

(Stephen McKinley Henderson) – Sammy:
A veteran journalist for The New York Times and Lee’s mentor

(Nick Offerman) – the President of the United States:
A dictatorial president currently serving his third term

(Sonoya Mizuno – Anya):
A British reporter embedded with the Western Forces’ advance on the capital
Jefferson White as Dave, Anya’s cameraman

(Nelson Lee) – Tony:
A Hongkonger reporter who is good friends with Lee and Joel

(Evan Lai) – Bohai:
A Hongkonger reporter who is a colleague of Tony

(Jesse Plemons) – Militant Soldier:
An ultra-nationalist militant who holds the journalists at gunpoint.

(Karl Glusman) – A spotter:

(Jin Ha) – A sniper:

(Jojo T. Gibbs) – WF Sergeant:
A Western Forces Sergeant involved in the attack on the White House
Juani Feliz as Secret Service Agent Joy Butler

(James Yaegashi) – Commercial Corporal:
The leader of a militia group that assaults a loyalist position

(Greg Hill) – Pete:
An armed man guarding a gas station

(Edmund Donovan) – Eddie:
Another of the armed men at the gas station

(Jess Matney) – a checkpoint soldier:

As of April 20, 2024, Civil War has grossed $37 million in the United States and Canada and $4.5 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $41.5 million.

Following the South by Southwest premiere, review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes noted that critics called the film “a gorgeously shot cautionary tale full of big ideas and a fantastic performance by Kirsten Dunst, but it may surprise some viewers”. Critics praised the “beauty and intensity of the dystopian drama” while noting its “potential for controversy and disappointment” due to the effectiveness of its messages.  On the site, 80% of 316 critics’ reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.5/10. The website’s critical consensus reads: “Tough and unsettling by design, Civil War is a gripping close-up look at the violent uncertainty of life in a nation in crisis.”