War is hell, and every once in a while, a film comes along that drags you through that hell in a way that’ll leave you utterly shell shocked. Warfare is among the most harrowing, visceral and realistic war movies of all time. Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza have crafted a brutal recount of true events that needs to be experienced in theatres.
Set in 2006, we follow a young group of U.S. Navy Seals stationed in Iraq during a surveillance mission gone wrong. The opening scene (featuring Eric Prydz’s “Call on Me” thumping on full blast) is extremely effective in giving us one of the few moments of levity throughout the entire film. The slow mounting tension leading up to the main conflict had my heart racing and palms firmly gripping the armrest. With a bare bones narrative stripped of any excess, this movie gets right to the point by throwing us directly into these soldiers’ boots. The specifics of the mission aren’t stated. You won’t find any exposition. Warfare sets out to realistically depict the horrific ordeal these men went through, and it accomplishes that in spades.
Co-written and directed by Alex Garland and former Navy Seal and Iraq Veteran Ray Medoza, the level of realism and attention to detail is unmatched. The tactics, military lingo, and firefights all feel grounded in ways we rarely get to experience. There is action, yes, but it’s not cool or traditionally exciting. There aren’t any cinematic acts of heroism or narrative twists. Nothing is glorified. We’re here to experience a relentlessly horrifying battle as it unfolds in real time. It’s powerful, immersive and unforgettable because it’s anything but your typical action movie. I’m not easily phased by violence, but this film shook me to my core. The sound design is spectacular, further surrounding you in the chaos of war. Every gunshot shook my seat, and the sound of a fighter jet ripping through the skies above the battle gave me goosebumps.
The whole cast deliver excellent performances, capturing the vast range of emotional and physical whiplash these soldiers experienced. These soldiers were basically just kids in their early to mid twenties, being put through something nobody should ever have to experience. Will Poulter, Cosmo Jarvis and especially Joseph Quinn really stood out with the way they captured their characters’ unimaginable anguish. There’s a point where an injured soldier is screaming in pain for what feels like an eternity, that had me on the verge of tears because of how authentic the performance felt.
Warfare is a raw, unflinching and completely visceral war film that pulls audiences into a hell they may not be prepared to handle. Immaculate sound design paired with an unprecedented level of realism make for the first must see theatrical experience of the year - even though it’s not an easy one to watch.
4.5/5