Civil War

⭐ 9.0/10

(Originally written by Tim)

This one was intense. Alex Garland makes sci-fi, so I was kind of expecting a supernatural twist or something, but this is a full on war movie. The sound design is very good, or maybe it was just the theatre I was in, but I felt every gunshot in my soul. The movie I was thinking most about while watching this was Apocalypse Now, where a group sets off on a journey with a clear destination, with lots of crazy stops and detours on the way. Like that movie every stop is violent and disturbing, and when they reach the end it is not really satisfying.

I should back up - this is about journalists and photographers documenting a civil war in the states, trekking from New York to DC to get to the president. I thought it was really interesting how this movie doesn't give you any set up. You don't know what sparked this, you don't even really know what side correlates to liberal/conservative (although there are some hints, those words are never used). Part of me doesn't love that this feels like a direct reaction to Trump or Jan 6, being like, see what could happen! But I also think a well made war movie on familiar soil is very effective at hammering home how terrible war is. Despite having some moving war scenes I think this movie is very anti-war.

I thought pairing the hardened photographer with the young up-and-comer who loses her innocence was good, especially as you watch as she gets more bold and enjoys the rush of battle. I thought the ending with the two of them was a bit corny, but it made sense and felt inevitable. I'm not sure what this movie thinks about photographers/journalists, since it seems to idolize them a bit and definitely thinks what they do is important, but they also kind of suck as these bystanders who get a rush being on the front lines. Also, why take photos instead of video? Why are they wearing jeans and not armour like the TV journalists at the end?

Not many beats you haven't seen in other movies here, but I thought it was really effective. A terrifying world full of violence with seemingly no reason. Every set piece was really well staged, and I was quite anxious watching this. My favourite scene was their first real skirmish as a group with the grisly execution at the end, the cutting of still photography into the live action was very effective. I think out of theatres this movie ranks a bit lower, but it was a visceral experience I won't soon forget. Dark and foreboding stuff.