Warfare (2025) - Film Review

      Warfare, 2025.

      Written and Directed by Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland.

      Featuring D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Will Poulter, Joseph Quinn, Charles Melton, Cosmo Jarvis, Kit Connor, Noah Centineo, Taylor John Smith, Michael Gandolfini, Finn Bennett, Henry Zaga, Adain Bradley, Alex Brockdorff, Evan Holtzman, Aaron Mackenzie, Joe Macaulay, Laurie Duncan, Jake Lampert, Aaron Deakins, Heider Ali, Sima Pollitt, Nathan Altai, Aso Sherabayani, Amira Dutton, and Inbal Amram.

      SYNOPSIS:

      A team of Navy SEALs embarks on a perilous operation in Ramadi, Iraq, recounting the disorder and camaraderie of war through their recollections of the experience.

      Iraq Navy SEALs veteran and co-director Ray Mendoza is not using Warfare to present a conventional war story. Partnering with Civil War director Alex Garland (whom he encountered while working as a military consultant on that film and later chose to help portray this exceptionally harrowing experience from an artistic cinematic perspective), this work recreates a traumatic field event directly drawn from memories, expressed in a visceral, authentic, and grotesquely intricate manner that it could not possibly originate from Alex Garland or any filmmaker. This approach distinctly sets it apart from the typical “inspired by a true story” pre-movie text, as every moment is derived from a squadmate-verified memory, resulting in a characteristically minimalist portrayal.

      Breaking free from standard characterization and familiar storytelling arcs is a bold and potentially risky endeavor, but Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland have faith that the compelling ensemble of mostly emerging talent will uncover the emotional truths within the relentless chaos. The soldiers, largely indistinguishable from one another (with Will Poulter as the most recognizable face, although recent breakout stars like Charles Melton and Joseph Quinn may also catch attention), convey a wealth of humanity and transparency, whether they are joking around during the dull stakeout before chaos erupts, responding to the heartrending screams of the severely injured, or showing genuine brotherhood as they strive to protect each other and assist the wounded.

      This is not a jingoistic glorification of violence. Clearly, the Navy SEALs, stationed and under fire in this home circa 2006, await backup and rescue while strategically attacking Al Qaeda when necessary. Yet Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland have commendably and respectfully chosen to limit the bloodshed and graphic injuries to the Navy SEALs themselves. While avoiding overt political statements, the film is subtly aware that the destruction and warfare inflict profound pain and tragedy on the Iraqi populace, occasionally checking in on a family sheltered in the home, without veering into emotional manipulation.

      Much of the injury and trauma is embodied by Eliott (Cosmo Jarvis, under heavy, disturbingly graphic makeup), who is primarily cared for by the seemingly inexperienced communications officer Ray (D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, effectively portraying someone overwhelmed by shock), bravely facing horror amid fraying nerves and the cacophony of distant screams, gunfire, low-flying aircraft, explosions, and frantic chatter about their rescue. David J. Thompson's sharp cinematography captures not only the harrowing visuals of injured soldiers and close-ups of terrified troops, whose hearts race as they contemplate their next move, but also ensures that the warfare is portrayed clearly, with no ambiguity about the positioning of the action.

      The extraordinary detail and authenticity arguably enhance the intensity of Warfare the most; there is an inventive yet graphic use of a tourniquet, alongside a touch of gallows humor regarding morphine. This proves to be a reflection of the soldiers’ anxiety, effectively conveyed through a dynamic sound mix that oscillates between nearly headache-inducing loudness and silence, typically illustrating the audible aftermath of an explosion or concussion. Warfare delivers a stunning sensory overload of heart-pounding immersion, creating a memory for audiences that will likely remain unforgettable.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

      Robert Kojder is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association, Critics Choice Association, and Online Film Critics Society. He serves as the Flickering Myth Reviews Editor. Check here for new reviews and follow my BlueSky or Letterboxd.