What is frightening about Civil War, is how believable it is. There is something enticing and horrific about a Western nation (like the United States), at war. It makes sense, since the world is both fascinated and tired of the messiness of U.S. politics. It reminds us that there is never a shortage of disappointment and disbelief in government decisions and officials. The movie’s portrayal of a divided U.S. shows that there is no longer room for fraternity in a country where there is civil unrest and governmental mistrust. With Kristen Dunst, Wagner Moura and Cailee Spaeny, Civil War creeps viewers into the dark corners of modern day politics, warfare and journalism.

Movie Information:

Genre:
Thriller

Main Cast:
Kirsten Dunst
Wagner Moura
Cailee Spaeny
Stephen McKinley Henderson
Nick Offerman

Distributed By:
A24 & Entertainment Film Distributions

Duration:
1 hour and 49 minutes

Movie Rating:
8.0/10

Movie Plot:

In a near-future dystopia, the United States are plagued by a war between four separate divisions. The cause is a third-term president, that threatens the principles on which the political system of the country was founded on ever since its creation. A group of photographers and journalists head out to Washington D.C. in order to interview the president before the Western Forces of Texas and California invade the capital. Joining them is a newcomer photographer and together they are caught in the midst of the chaos that is spreading across the U.S.

Directing and Writing:

Director and writer Alex Garland does something extraordinary with this movie. He does not direct the audience’s attention to the ongoing conflict between the waring forces in the U.S.

Instead, he is more interested in showing its palpitating intensity via the point of view of the journalists, especially through the characters of Lee (Dunst) and Jessie (Spaeny). By following them in their trip towards Washington D.C., we experience a frightening (and all too familiar) U.S. It is painfully evident that there is no room for sentimentality in this kind of situation.

The constant reminder of the war can be felt in the movie, either by the subtle presentation of the bodies of fallen soldiers on the road, either by the striking cinematography that is accompanied by the sharp U.S. landscapes or vibrant, as well, as muted colors.

Characters:

Not much is known about the personal lives of the movie’s characters. It is ultimately more important to know them through their work.

However, in some occasions we are given a glimpse of their past, especially with Lee and Jessie. What is most evident is Lee’s, Joel’s (Wagner Moura) and Sammy’s (Stephen McKinley Henderson) approach towards the civil war.

On the one hand we see in Lee an apathy towards the conflict, only focusing on her job as a photographer. Likewise, Joel is also more interest in his work as a journalist, even though he is seen masking his fears by being excited about putting himself amidst the action of war. Sammy on the other hand is more optimistic and cautious, believing that there is still good in the world, despite his colleagues believing otherwise.

And finally there is Jessie. A newcomer, she begins in the film as both excited and unprepared of the grewsome events that will unfold in front of her eyes. Lee is her role model, and one can see that as the movie progresses, their roles slowly switch.

On a personal note, what impressed me with this film was the concept of neutrality. It is heavily seen throughout the duration of it, especially between the characters of Lee and Jessie. As a veteran and a newcomer photographer, their reactions to the brutalities of war are what makes this film all the more interesting to watch. The characters in general never gave too much about their life. But that was exactly the point. The movie showcased their work personas and asked two ageless questions: “Is journalism dead?” “Can it actually make a difference in the world?”

The directorial style allowed viewers to immerse themselves in uncomfortable scenes with ambushes or shootings. Director and writer Alex Garland masterfully showed that the journey to Washington D.C is more important than the overall war that is plaguing a nation. As such, every cast member of Civil War embodies this concept, showcasing the hardships of being in the front lines while collecting footage. What adds to the experience of the movie are the long pauses of silence and the black and white camera shots that position us in the point of view of the journalists themselves.

Overall, Civil War is definitely a movie to put on your list. The plot is enthralling and jittery. If you find yourself in need to watch something that is sophisticated, filled with suspense and packed with action and realistic horror, this is the movie for you.

Written by Demetris Bougiouris