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Warfare | Review by: Gal Balaban

 


The film is raw and immersive, the camera knowing when to immerse you into the “action” while at other times when to simply stay put and observe from afar. Similar to Alex Garland’s last film Civil War, the film is devoid of the romanticization of violence we see in many films about war and combat, rather a film about what happens when conflict and death become a daily reality for young men, including the bond and language it creates for them out of necessity for survival. 

The excellent ensemble cast shines, particularly D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, along with Will Poulter, Joseph Quinn, and Cosmo Jarvis. The sound design in particular is stunning and adds to the immersion of what unfolds in this film, trying its very best to bring its audience into a battlefield where certain doom is only meters or seconds away. It doesn’t relent when it comes to the intensity and terror of battle, including the gore and stakes which are upped, while using every minute of its 90-minute runtime wisely, having something to say in the quietest and loudest of moments about its lead soldiers, as well as through a family whose home is forced to become a surveillance spot for the SEALs. The final shot in particular is chilling and unforgettable, and it’s a difficult one to shake off for those ready for a swift yet powerful film experience.

4.5/5

Review by: Gal Balaban

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