From writer/director Ray Mendoza (an actual war veteran) and Alex Garland (Civil War) comes an incredible film that offers the audience an immersive experience of what it feels like to be in wartime battle. This movie is not feel-good, patriotic, or jingoist material. The film gives its audience a realistic glimpse into the harrowing experience of being in a war. This movie is an absolute technical marvel. I have never, before, witnessed such a realistic portrayal of war previously. That said, there is not a lot of storytelling here. Warfare is simply what it promises–war in all of its ugliness with a disturbing and traumatic impact.
The film follows a unit of Navy SEALs charged with securing a multistory house in Iraq. The unit goes through its routine of reconnaissance and remains pretty safely held up until its enemies launch a surprise attack against them. The movie displays rather viscerally how the team responds to the attack and how they attempt to escape what is essentially a bunker situation.
This movie blew me away. I cannot recall a film that feels so close to reality as this one. However, the character development is lacking. This fact matters little, as these warriors could be anyone involved in a frightening war. Ray Mendoza uses his real-life experiences as a veteran, and Alex Garland and his crew and cast do exceptional work to make this movie an unforgettable experience.
Garland and his casting team have assembled an incredible lineup of great actors who give their all to their performances. Warfare features such actors as D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Will Poulter, Cosmo Jarvis, Joseph Quinn, Kit Connor, Finn Bennett, Taylor John Smith, Michael Gandofinin, Charles Melton, and others who are absolutely amazing in this movie.
Again, Warfare, like the real deal, is not for the faint of heart or the squeamish. In fact, this movie might be too traumatic and disturbing for anyone who has had similar experiences in combat. Still, I am so astounded by how genuine this movie feels. It literally plays out like a high-budget documentary in real-time.