Let me preface this by saying I’m a huge Alex Garland fan. Ex Machina blew my mind with its exploration of artificial consciousness and the blurred lines between human and machine. Annihilation’s haunting beauty and nightmarish landscapes stayed with me long after the credits rolled, leaving me pondering the nature of existence and the power of the unknown. So, when I heard about Civil War, his latest sci-fi offering, I was practically vibrating with anticipation.

CIVIL WAR
Here’s the thing – Civil War isn’t quite what I expected, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s a departure from Garland’s previous work, a shift towards a more grounded, character-driven story set against the backdrop of a dystopian war. While I missed the mind-bending concepts of his earlier films, Civil War’s raw humanity and unflinching portrayal of war resonated in a whole new way.
A War Story Shrouded in Mystery
Civil War throws us into a future America fractured by an unnamed conflict. The remnants of a once-great nation lie in ruins, concrete giants scarred by battles long past. We follow a team of journalists – the cynical veteran Sammy (Stephen McKinley Henderson), the wide-eyed rookie Jessie (Cailee Spaeny), and the stoic Lee (Kirsten Dunst) – embedded with a military unit. Their mission: reach Washington D.C. before the rebels overrun the White House.
The journey is a desperate scramble for survival. The journalists find themselves caught in a warzone, forced to navigate desolate landscapes ravaged by bombings and skirmishes. The enemy remains unseen, a constant threat lurking just beyond the horizon. Information is scarce, filtered through layers of propaganda. Garland masterfully builds suspense, weaving a sense of unease throughout the film. We never truly understand the conflict’s cause, which some reviewers found frustrating. Personally, I found it oddly refreshing. It forced me to focus on the human element – the desperation, the fear, the camaraderie that blossoms between strangers thrown together in a hostile world. It’s a war story stripped bare, devoid of the usual justifications and grand narratives. Here, war is simply a brutal reality, a constant threat that shapes every aspect of life.
Characters You Can Root For (and Against)
The performances are phenomenal. Kirsten Dunst delivers a powerful performance as Lee, a woman hardened by experience who carries a dark secret. Her eyes convey a haunted weariness, a constant reminder of the horrors she’s witnessed. Dunst portrays Lee’s internal conflict with remarkable subtlety – the hardened cynicism battling with a flicker of hope that she desperately tries to suppress.
Stephen McKinley Henderson is equally impressive as Sammy, the grizzled veteran who’s seen it all. He brings a world-weary wisdom to the role, his gruff exterior masking a deep well of empathy. Sammy serves as a mentor to Jessie, the wide-eyed rookie played with remarkable nuance by Cailee Spaeny. Spaeny portrays Jessie’s transformation from idealistic newcomer to hardened journalist with a believable vulnerability. We see the horrors of war slowly chip away at her innocence, but her spirit never fully breaks.
The supporting cast, even with limited screen time, adds depth and realism to the story. There’s Kim Engelbrecht as the stoic Captain Rhodes, haunted by the ghosts of her past, and Nicholas Bakare as the enigmatic White House official who offers cryptic clues about the conflict’s origins. Each character feels fully realized, adding another layer of complexity to Garland’s dystopian world.
A Feast for the Senses (But Maybe Not for the Faint of Heart)
The visuals are stunning. The war-torn landscapes are desolate yet strangely beautiful, and the action sequences are visceral and intense. The sound design deserves special mention. The constant hum of drones overhead creates a persistent feeling of unease, and the sudden bursts of gunfire are genuinely jarring.
Here’s where I have to warn you – Civil War isn’t for the faint of heart. The violence is brutal and unflinching. It’s not gratuitous, but it serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of war.
A Thought-Provoking Ending (Without All the Answers)
The ending left me pondering. It’s ambiguous, open to interpretation, which some might find frustrating. But for me, it resonated. Civil War isn’t a film that spoon-feeds you answers. It raises questions about war, journalism, and the nature of truth, leaving you to grapple with them long after the credits roll.
A Different Garland Film, But Still Worth the Watch
Civil War isn’t Ex Machina or Annihilation. It’s a different beast entirely. It’s a war film, a thriller, a meditation on the human condition wrapped in a sci-fi package. It’s not perfect. The lack of clarity on the larger conflict might leave some viewers wanting, and the violence is undoubtedly intense.
However, if you’re looking for a thought-provoking film with stellar performances, stunning visuals, and a unique take on war, then Civil War is worth checking out. Just be prepared to be challenged and maybe a little unsettled.
Civil War is a film that will stay with you long after you leave the theater. It’s not a traditional popcorn flick, but for those looking for something different, something that will make you think and feel, it’s definitely worth your time.