Civil War
Civil War
An adrenaline-fueled thrill ride through a near-future fractured America balanced on the razor's edge. A group of journalists must race through battlefields to the White House before DC falls. Featuring Kirsten Dunst, Cailee Spaeny, Wagner Moura, Stephen McKinley Henderson and Nick Offerman.
lubbi reviewedApril 29, 2025
Look, I just got out of Civil War, and I'm wrestling with it. There's no denying the sheer impact of what Alex Garland has put on screen. This isn't your typical escapist cinema; it's a raw, often uncomfortable, and disturbingly plausible look at a United States fractured by internal conflict. Garland throws you headfirst into this near-future nightmare, and the intensity rarely wavers.
What struck me most was the almost clinical lens through which the story unfolds, primarily through the eyes of war photographers Lee (Kirsten Dunst) and Joel (Wagner Moura). Their job isn't to take sides but to document the brutal reality, and this detached perspective, while powerful, also creates a certain emotional distance. Dunst is exceptional as the hardened Lee, conveying a weariness and resilience with incredible subtlety. Moura brings a frantic energy, and Cailee Spaeny as the young, idealistic Jessie is also a standout. The performances are undoubtedly a major strength.
The visuals are stark and unforgettable – the familiar American landscape twisted by the ravages of war. The bursts of violence are jarring and realistic, and the quieter moments are imbued with a palpable sense of unease. The sound design is also incredibly effective, immersing you in the cacophony of a nation at war.
However, and this is where the film falls short of a higher rating for me, is its deliberate ambiguity regarding the specifics of the conflict. While I understand the intention might be to focus on the universal horrors of war, I found myself wanting a deeper understanding of the ideological fault lines that led to this level of societal collapse. The "why" felt somewhat glossed over, which, at times, made it harder to fully connect with the stakes beyond the immediate survival of the characters.
Furthermore, while the film is undeniably gripping and unsettling, the emotional resonance felt somewhat muted due to the observational stance of the protagonists. I appreciated the lack of clear heroes or villains, reflecting the messy reality of conflict, but it also kept me at arm's length emotionally.
Ultimately, Civil War is a powerful and undeniably well-crafted film. It's a visceral and thought-provoking experience that lingers in your mind. However, its deliberate detachment and lack of deeper political context prevent it from reaching its full potential.
Rating: I'd give Civil War a 3 out of 5 stars. It's a significant cinematic achievement in terms of its execution and performances, but its narrative choices left me wanting more in terms of emotional connection and contextual depth.