Carl Roberts 
“Warfare takes the war movie and gives it a frighteningly real feeling, Brutal, uncompromising, raw, emotional, and unnerving.”
There are war movies. And then there’s Warfare. There are movies based on true events. And then there’s Warfare. This isn’t your Hollywood blockbuster starring the latest hot property in the lead, dodging bullets before triumphing against the odds at the end. This is all too frighteningly real. Written and directed by Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland, the film is a re-enactment of an encounter Mendoza and his platoon experienced on November 19, 2006, in the wake of the Battle of Ramadi. The script is based solely on recollections from those involved. There are no heroics here. This is a tale of a true event that not only left scars on the participants but will leave an indelible mark on the audience.
PREMISE
Written and directed by Iraq War veteran Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland (Civil War, 28 Days Later), Warfare embeds audiences with a platoon of American Navy SEALs in the home of an Iraqi family. Overwatching the movement of US forces through insurgent territory. A visceral, boots-on-the-ground story of modern warfare, told like never before. In real-time and based on the memory of the people who lived it.
THOUGHTS
The film stars D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Will Poulter, Cosmo Jarvis, Kit Connor, Finn Bennett, Taylor John Smith, Michael Gandolfini, Adain Bradley, Noah Centineo, Evan Holtzman, Henrique Zaga, with Joseph Quinn, and Charles Melton. From the outset, we will follow these men during the entire running time. Making them become all too human for us. We know we are watching actors recreate the events of the battle, but throughout, we feel we are in the middle of the action, watching real soldiers fighting for their lives. From a quiet opening featuring the men gathered around a TV set watching a music video, until the final scene, we are joined at the hip with these soldiers. 
From such a quiet opening, we know that something serious will happen. When it comes, it comes as a shock. Suddenly, all the fun and playfulness are gone, replaced by men fighting for their lives. Doing what they are trained for. Think about the opening to Saving Private Ryan and how it pulled no punches when it came to showing the real brutality of war. This film goes in the same direction and vein. This shows war at its most brutal, unedited and raw.
AN ENSEMBLE PIECE
There’s no John Wayne or similar actor here, storming the trenches and winning the battle and the war single-handed. This is an ensemble piece, showing the truth behind the battles we hear about on the news. It is powerful, shocking and uncompromising. Even when a soldier accidentally steps on an injured colleague. Something that would normally elicit a laugh instead has us wincing, calling the guilty party an idiot. This isn’t something to laugh at; this is something that rightfully revolts us. For all the Hollywood make-up pretending to be a real injury, here, we actually believe what we are seeing is all too real.
D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai portrays Mendoza himself in a superb performance. In fact, all assembled here are terrific in their respective roles. Each fully embraces the person they are portraying on screen. Each displays the true emotions their real counterparts experienced. Whether it be shock at what is happening, the death of a colleague, the discombobulation of what’s happening and how to deal with it. It is all here, laid bare for the world to see. Of all the cast, it is Cosmo Jarvis as Elliott Miller, a Corpsman/lead sniper (to whom the film is dedicated), who impresses the most. The end credits feature some footage of the real Miller on the set of the film. Many of the real protagonists did not go public with their identities. But their actions are here for all to see.
WRITING AND DIRECTION
Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland complement each other’s talents to perfection here. Garland, an established writer and director, shares the load with Mendoza, allowing him to recreate the events in his screenplay, his memories and what we see on screen. We would be mistaken in thinking that Mendoza is a true filmmaker in his own right with what he gives us here. Both make us see the brutality, the futility at times of the event. They pull no punches, showing us in graphic detail what happened. They also show the true characters of the protagonists, the courage and bravery they showed against their aggressors. Some CGI is needed in a few areas to demonstrate the events. But these scenes fit seamlessly into a film that amazes.
We won’t find much colour here either. The colours we see are what the battleground actually looked like to all concerned. The main colour, beige, represents the surrounding area where the outside battle is fought. The sand shines through, accentuating the colours of the men’s uniforms. The other colours represent the aggressor’s clothing of choice. Far from blending in with their surroundings, they stand out. But these people don’t care. They are single-minded in their desire to kill the SEAL platoon.
VERDICT
Brutal, uncompromising, raw, emotional, and unnerving, Warfare takes the war movie and gives it a frighteningly real feeling. We know, going in, that what we are about to see is real. Yes, it is a recreation, but it is a true and genuine one. We find ourselves simply stunned at what we are witnessing, attempting to put ourselves in the shoes of the SEAL team as the events, which occur in real time here, are played out. Of course, we can’t and we never will. But that doesn’t stop us from hoping against all odds that these men survive the onslaught against them. All our hopes and fears shine through as we watch the events unfold.
Warfare isn’t simply one of the best war films ever made based on a true story. It isn’t simply one of the best war movies we’ve ever seen. It is an early contender for the best film of the year. This isn’t popcorn entertainment; this is what cinema was made for. It showcases something we can never really imagine in our worst nightmares. That it actually happened frightens us more than the brilliant sound mix the film contains. And the sound plays a huge part in what we experience. Explosions, guns firing and bullet casings hitting the ground have never sounded so clear or so loud. Again, this is a recreation of what the men heard during the battle.
A MASTERPIECE
Alex Garland has a fantastic reputation for delivering brilliant films. Here, though, we have what could easily become his masterpiece. For that is what the film is, a masterpiece of filmmaking. Its quality shines through from beginning to end. By the time we reach the end credits, we have been through the wringer in a way we’ve not experienced before. We have felt every emotion there is possible. If there is any justice in this world, the film will be recognised as a sure-fire Oscar winner. The film truly deserves the plaudits it has been getting and continues to get. As do the real-life men who went through the battle itself. Strap in for something truly frightening. And truly superb.
Warfare is in cinemas now, courtesy of A24.
Introducing Carl! As the News Editor at Future of the Force, Carl has been an invaluable member of our team since early 2016. His expertise and dedication have made him an integral part of our editorial staff. Beyond his professional role, Carl is a fervent supporter of Liverpool F.C. and an avid follower of pop culture. He has a deep passion for Halloween, Friday the 13th, and the iconic movie franchises Star Wars and Star Trek.
He can be found either at his neighborhood cinema, enjoying the latest releases on the big screen, or at home streaming the newest blockbuster movies.
