‘Warfare’ Review: A24’s Star-Studded War Movie Is Brutal and Unforgiving

Imagine the intensity of the Jesse Plemons scene in Civil War for 90 minutes straight. That’s what you’ll get with Warfare, Alex Garland’s follow-up to his hit 2024 thriller. Garland is joined in the director’s chair by first-time filmmaker and Iraq war veteran Ray Mendoza who draws from his own memory while serving in 2006 to create a relentless, brutal, and at times upsetting war film, that strives to capture the horrors of war with as much authenticity as possible.

Warfare may be an action film, but if you are looking for a good time with cool kills that you can watch while stuffing your face full of popcorn, you might be better off at A Working Man. Garland and Mendoza’s movie is far from an easy watch, but it’s a gripping and bold vision that will go down as one of the most unforgettable cinematic experiences of the year. This is the kind of film that needs to be seen on the big screen.

‘Warfare’ Is More About the Experience Rather Than Telling a Story

In the mid-2010s, we saw movies like American Sniper, Lone Survivor, and 13 Hours, attract massive audiences. While Warfare may attract a similar crowd, it’s a very different movie. D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai plays a younger version of Ray Mendoza, as the film recounts an event in November 2006 that saw his platoon of Navy SEALs ambushed by jihadists while on a mission. Much of Warfare largely takes place inside the home of an Iraqi family, who the squadron has tucked away in the basement. After setting up camp, the young men are attacked, leaving two of them mortally wounded.

Outside of the opening scene where we see the film’s ensemble celebrating while watching the music video for “Call on Me,” Garland and Mendoza escalate the tension with each passing minute. Even when the carnage starts, you’ll find yourself feeling unnerved; you’re just waiting for something bad to happen. This isn’t some “Rah-Rah, America” film pushing Bush-era politics that some have already assumed it to be, it sets out to show just how unforgiving and evil war gets.

There’s not much characterization of any of the soldiers. Woon-A-Tai’s Mendoza occasionally serves as our eyes and ears as he watches over his fellow marines, but we don’t get a lot of background. Largely, because it’s not needed. Warfare doesn’t fall victim to the clichés of other war movies, where we see characters lovingly talk about how much they miss their wife and kids. The tone already renders so unfiltered that it feels like we’re already there with these men.

Garland and Mendoza also make the bold choice not to include any musical score. The sound design is more than enough, as every explosion, every gunshot, and every blood-curdling scream is all that we need to get to the point. It’s unlike any other war film set in the Middle East. It also just goes to show that Warfare is far less an action movie than it is a horror movie.

Much of the imagery of Warfare is disturbing, but it never feels too over-the-top. While Garland has lazily gone for shock value in the past (his on-the-nose and one-note horror movie Men), he doesn’t do that here. The movie commits to being as raw as humanly possible, and it probably helps that Mendoza co-directed the film. Yes, Mendoza is a first-time filmmaker, but he pairs perfectly with Garland’s knack for building suspense. 

Joseph Quinn and Cosmo Jarvis Leave the Biggest Impressions

While Warfare does lack characterization or even a true main character, that doesn’t stop the cast from delivering some strong performances. Joseph Quinn is a major standout as Sam, the leading Petty Officer. Quinn never once makes his performance feel too theatrical or melodramatic. His acting is haunting, and his character’s journey adds an extra heft of emotion to an already overwhelming experience.

Cosmo Jarvis also leaves a strong impression as the unit’s sniper Elliot Miller. Much like Quinn, Jarvis’ role feels grounded and steeped in humanity, as we see him going from one of the more confident and cocky soldiers to someone much more vulnerable. Woon-A-Tai, Will Poulter, Kit Connor, Michael Gandolfini, and Charles Melton also deliver some great work, even if they feel overshadowed by Quinn and Jarvis.

‘Warfare’ Is the Kind of Movie That Refuses To Leave Your Mind

Warfare is not the kind of movie that you’ll want to watch again and again. As stated previously, this isn’t some patriotic puff piece. Much like Civil War had a pretty broad message in regards to the current state of US politics, this film also has a pretty simple message: war is Hell, and it says this aggressively.

Without revealing too much, the final moments of the movie do feel abrupt, and at odds with the majority of the film’s concept of being told entirely from Mendoza’s memory. Thankfully, the rest of the movie is effective.

Warfare is an overwhelming watch, one that isn’t going to be for everyone or those with weak stomachs. It’s a haunting, unforgiving film that is one of the most brutal war films to release in the last several decades.

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