In our current political climate, itoften feels as though Americans are at war with themselves, and A24’s Civil War explores what would happen if this feeling became reality. This feature film follows the journey of a group of journalists and war photographers, played by Kirsten Dunst and Wagner Moura, among others; on their journey to photograph and report the ongoing war between the ‘Western Forces’ (Texas and California) and the ‘Loyalist states’ (majority of the rest of the country). This movie uses various storytelling techniques, switching between still-life photography and action shots to portray the brutal reality of the ensuing carnage. For photography enthusiasts, this film is a must-watch; several niche cameras are mentioned, and their subsequent shots are displayed.
Along their route to the White House, where journalist Joel (Moura) intends to interview the failing president, heralded war photographer Lee (Dunst) begrudgingly begins to mentor aspiring young photographer Jessie (played by Pacific Rim’s Cailee Spaeny), who has tagged along for the journey against Lee’s will. This film follows a diverse band of complex characters with whom the director, Alex Garland, helps us develop a deep emotional connection through the backdrop of this gruesome war. Civil war asks the question to all journalists alike: How far would you go for a scoop or picture?
This movie is rated R for a reason, filmed through the lens of a war documentary, it depicts very surreal, graphic scenes of a vicious war. This movie is not for everybody but is a visually beautiful commentary on what could lie in our future if America’s political landscape stays on its current trajectory of ideological polarization, unrelenting negativity and violence. Garland pairs heavy, emotionally intense scenes, with lighthearted moments riddled throughout. Jamilsom Fernandes ’26 agrees with this sentiment, saying, “It’s very heavy at the beginning… but then as you settle into the movie more you start to pick up on smaller details which makes it so amazing.”
Though the brutality this movie portrays adds layers to the overarching plot, some may feel as if a piece of the puzzle is missing. Despite this film being filled with political nuance, it lacks depth regarding the overall historical context and story background, leaving the viewers wondering what events lead up to its main conflict. This movie does come off as confusing at times, parts of this film are left up for interpretation, but this doesn’t take away from the stunning visuals and overall message of an America left divided.
The biggest takeaway from this movie is the power of journalism during times of conflict, specifically photojournalism and the message one image can carry. A24 yet again succeeds in highlighting a somewhat niche subject matter, uplifting it to a broader audience. The chilling scenes pierced right through this movie and hit home in a “cannot look” way, leading viewers to wonder: What would you do if America had a Civil War at this very moment?
