'Warfare' review: A brutal, unflinching look at the true cost of combat

Courtesy of A24

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In the wake of last year’s ambitious and engrossing “Civil War”—a film that arrived at a pivotal moment for Western society—writer-director Alex Garland returns with “Warfare,” an equally harrowing and, tragically, all-too-real exploration of the physical and psychological aftermath of war. Like “Civil War,” “Warfare” doesn’t aim to glamorize its subject matter. It’s raw, unflinching, and deeply immersive. Co-directed by Garland and American veteran Ray Mendoza—whose own experiences inspired the film—“Warfare” plunges viewers into the visceral chaos of combat, offering perhaps the closest thing to a real war experience without ever stepping foot in a conflict zone or lifting a weapon.

Of course, no cinematic portrayal can fully replicate the lived experience of soldiers, especially those who endured the trauma of the Iraq War. Nearly two decades later, that conflict has been widely reexamined as a devastating misuse of American lives and resources. “Warfare” doesn’t shy away from this reality. It doesn’t sensationalize violence, and it certainly won’t be featured at military recruiting events anytime soon. Instead, it presents war with brutal honesty.

This is not a commercial war movie in the vein of “American Sniper.” Rather, “Warfare” dramatizes a singular event during the Iraq War in 2006—a Navy SEAL squad trapped in a house, attempting to evacuate after a surprise attack by insurgents. It’s a stark, unromanticized depiction of how even minor tactical decisions can escalate into life-or-death situations. In light of ongoing global conflicts—from the war in Gaza to leaked military chats—“Warfare” resonates as a sobering reminder of how detached decision-makers can casually determine the fate of those on the ground. The soldiers depicted here are little more than blips on a chopper gunner’s radar, awaiting extraction. And by the end, the film lingers on a haunting thought: What was this all for?

The film doesn’t spend time fleshing out the 13 Navy SEALs beyond their names, but they’re brought to life by a powerhouse ensemble of rising stars. Cosmo Jarvis (“Shogun”), Will Poulter, Joseph Quinn (“Stranger Things” and “Gladiator II”), Kit Connor, and Charles Melton (“May December”), among others, imbue their roles with just enough humanity for us to care deeply when the chaos unfolds. When everything goes sideways, you genuinely fear for them.

What makes “Warfare” especially unique is its foundation in memory. Mendoza, with input from fellow soldiers, reconstructed the story from real-life experience. Everything depicted is said to have happened in real time—and based on the film’s relentless intensity, especially when experienced in IMAX with its thunderous sound and stark visuals, there’s no reason to doubt its authenticity.

Some viewers may take issue with the film’s refusal to take a firm stance on whether it’s “pro” or “anti” war. But that’s precisely the point. “Warfare” isn’t here to moralize. It presents the experience of combat with striking neutrality, allowing viewers to draw their own conclusions. And while the events it depicts are nearly two decades old, the film’s message remains urgent: history has a way of repeating itself, and “Warfare” is a timely, haunting reminder of why it shouldn’t.

Grade: A-

WARFARE is now playing in theaters.