Civil War
Directed by Alex GarlandAn 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.
Civil War Ratings & Reviews
- Ryan and Story JohnsonNovember 5, 2025It was OK. Predictable, the acting was weird but the cinematography was kinda good. Mediocre story and acting. It's a good set and setting through the film though!
- Paul BufanoOctober 14, 2025Fantastic ending.
- HakihikoOctober 11, 2025Visually Bold but Emotionally Reserved Alex Garland’s "Civil War" is a meticulously crafted thriller that impresses with its striking visual style and tense atmosphere. Garland leans into minimalism, using composition, lighting, and sound design to create a world that feels immediate and unsettling without relying on overt spectacle. The performances are strong and grounded. Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, and Cailee Spaeny bring credibility and nuance to their roles, each delivering moments of quiet intensity that anchor the film’s larger themes. The tension is consistently maintained, and Garland’s direction ensures the audience feels the weight of the story’s stakes even without explicit action. Technically, the film is exceptional. The cinematography captures both the beauty and harshness of Garland’s envisioned world, while the soundscape subtly enhances the sense of unease. Yet, the emotional impact is somewhat muted. The narrative’s focus on atmosphere and conceptual tension sometimes leaves character development and deeper emotional engagement on the sidelines. In conclusion, "Civil War" is a thought-provoking, visually compelling film that succeeds in style and tone but doesn’t fully resonate on an emotional level. For viewers seeking an intelligent, atmospheric thriller, it offers a rewarding, if slightly reserved, experience.
- ayayronApril 5, 2025One boomer, two millennials and a Gen Zer risking it all for the gram
- NukeLifeSeptember 18, 2025Piss poor attempt to make the media look good in a time their credibility is lost.
- TanalienNovember 2, 2024Given the movie’s foreboding title, I predicted it would be a timely document about how present-day America fell into a downward spiral, with the story following the new factions growing out of the chaos. While Civil War depicts what happens when the rule of law cracks, writer-director Alex Garland forged this story with a much higher purpose in mind.
- jackmeatMarch 2, 2025My quick rating - 7.0/10. This film grabs us by the shoulders and screams, "If it is a Civil War you want, I'll put it on a giant IMAX screen and dare you to cheer." In the near future, a group of war journalists will attempt to survive while reporting the truth as the United States stands on the brink of civil war. The flick offers a gripping and immersive journey across a dystopian America, following a team of military-embedded journalists as they race against time to reach Washington, D.C., before rebel factions descend upon the White House. The movie is marked by great choreography and believable scenes that draw the audience into the chaos and urgency of the situation. The action sequences are well-executed, providing a visceral sense of the danger and unpredictability faced by the characters. The realistic depiction of combat and the stark portrayal of a nation in turmoil make for a compelling viewing experience. The acting is solid throughout, with Kirsten Dunst delivering a standout performance. Her portrayal of a determined and resilient journalist adds depth and believability to the narrative. The ensemble cast complements her well, each bringing their own strengths to their roles and contributing to the film’s overall impact. The story is both timely and thought-provoking, exploring themes of truth, survival, and the ethical complexities faced by those who document war. As the journalists navigate through hostile territories and encounter various factions, the film raises important questions about the role of media in conflict and the personal cost of pursuing the truth. I thought it succeeded in creating a believable and haunting vision of a fractured America. The dystopian setting is convincingly portrayed, and the tension is palpable as the team of journalists pushes forward despite the overwhelming odds. The film’s pacing keeps you interested, balancing intense action with moments of introspection and character development. In conclusion, the flick is a well-crafted and impactful film that combines excellent choreography, strong acting, and a compelling narrative. Dunst shines in her role, and Nick Offerman is great but not used very much. The movie effectively captures the perilous journey of war journalists in a near-future America. It’s a thought-provoking and entertaining watch that leaves a lasting impression. This film will be awarded, there is no doubt. Alex Garland has broken new ground, and his script, actors, and cinematography deserve all the accolades they get.
- filmaddict007May 13, 2025Civil War is one of the most intense and unforgettable movie experiences in recent years. It grabs you from the first scene and doesn’t let go. The way it handles war feels incredibly real—chaotic, emotional, and disturbing without being over-the-top. It shows the human side of conflict while still keeping the tension high throughout. The acting is phenomenal. Every performance feels grounded and raw, like the actors are actually living through it. These are powerhouse performances that carry the emotional weight of the film and make you feel every moment. One of the biggest standouts is the sound design. The movie is LOUD in the best way possible—gunfire, explosions, even silence—it all hits hard. You feel every shot, every moment of tension, and it makes the whole thing way more immersive. If you’re going to watch Civil War, see it in a theater. Seriously—find the biggest screen and best sound system you can. This is the kind of movie that deserves to be seen and heard properly. It’s intense, it’s gripping, and it sticks with you.
- Scott SmithFebruary 8, 2025This movie was made as a cautionary tale after the first Trump administration...that we barely made it out of. Now with a second and more damaging Trump term, it's looking more prophetic than ever. I hope we get the same ending. Bang!
- SixpaxMay 11, 2025Too early to classify this as a doco? It's a Vietnam "follow the news reporters" war movie set in a "current" USA. It's not an enjoyable movie, but that is not saying it isn't a good movie.
- Manuel FrangisApril 8, 2025I just watched Civil War and I give it 4 out of 5 stars. This movie hit way harder than I expected. It is intense, gritty, and sometimes uncomfortable in a way that feels too real. It is not a movie that holds your hand or tries to make you feel safe. It drops you into a version of America that feels broken, chaotic, and way too possible. You feel the tension from the very first scene, and it does not let go. This is not some over the top action war movie. It is more grounded, more personal. You see the story through the lens of journalists who are trying to capture what is happening as the country tears itself apart. That perspective makes it feel raw and immediate. You are not watching big speeches or political debates. You are watching the aftermath of a nation divided, and the people just trying to survive through it. Kirsten Dunst is amazing in this. Her performance is subtle but powerful. You can tell her character has seen too much and is just trying to hold it together. She plays a photojournalist who has been through war zones around the world, but now she is watching her own country fall apart. That part hit me hard. There is something especially haunting about watching a story like this set in places that look familiar. The rest of the cast is great too. You get a mix of younger characters seeing this kind of chaos for the first time and older ones who are just trying to keep going. Their conversations feel real. Quiet, tense, and sometimes totally silent. The movie trusts you to feel it without explaining everything. The cinematography stands out. A lot of the movie is handheld, which makes you feel like you are right there with them. It is not always comfortable to watch, and I think that is the point. You are not supposed to feel removed. You are supposed to feel like you are witnessing something fragile, something scary, and something that could easily go too far. The way it is shot gives the whole thing this gritty documentary vibe that just works. There are action scenes, but they are not the focus. When they do happen, they are fast, loud, and messy. It is not polished or heroic. It is chaotic and ugly. The movie does not glorify any of it. It just shows what happens when things fall apart and people stop listening to each other. The reason I give it 4 out of 5 instead of 5 is because I do wish it had just a little more depth in certain places. You get glimpses of the world and what caused everything, but it leaves a lot of that off screen. I get that it is supposed to feel like a snapshot in time, but I was hoping for a little more context. Even just a few more moments showing how we got here would have made it feel more complete. I give Civil War 4 out of 5 stars because it is bold, intense, and emotional. It does not try to be comfortable. It just shows a world that feels way too close to real and asks you to sit with it. Overall Civil War is a powerful and haunting film that sticks with you. It is about journalism, truth, and what it means to capture the world when everything is falling apart. I walked away thinking a lot about the choices we make and how easily things can break.
- brian.ho93July 27, 2025What a stupid aimless movie.
- AngelSeptember 9, 2025Getting tired of yourself and using dissonance as irony seems to be the latest trend. *Devs* was a masterpiece; this is a reverberation of the same, filtered through ears that no longer understand euphony. Or maybe it's the result of an obscene sum from the Democratic party for the production of propaganda, because ads no longer reach the Zoomers. Who knows... in the end, it's always a bit of everything, like in any recipe that stinks. It’s the typical can of preserves, packed with the necessary messages to scare people. A little bit of spice here and there, heat it all up, and as long as it’s digestible, it’s considered food. Shots copied from the war masterpieces of the last century that pale in comparison when you simply rewatch *Apocalypse Now*. Supporting characters appearing out of nowhere—because of course, we all know what happens to supporting characters who walk into a scene without context in the middle of a horror movie. The master who sacrifices himself to fix his apprentice's mistake; twice, yes, *twice*—I know. The "truth" of half the American population repeated over and over again amidst "explosions" and "deaths." All so very original. Antithetical songs laid over slow-motion shots to accentuate the absurdity. The absurdity of what? Of the war? Of focusing on only one side? Of this specific moment in the film? Of the creation of the film itself? Everything is so rotten that not even contradictions create harmony; it only conveys a ridiculous spiral of desperation. And no, Garland, I'm sorry, but the visuals don't save you from mediocrity when you don't know how to weave them together with everything else. It’s as if he's laughing at himself while filming this trash. Maybe he's trying to send us a message by sabotaging his own campaign ad, or maybe money blinds you so much that in the end you just do what you're told in order to live well. It doesn't matter which it is. Another one has just fallen. Nolan and Villeneuve have better withstood the stench of decay that floods the screen when the goal is to influence the viewer. We will have to return to a time when cinema is insignificant so that creators can once again piss on the orders of "Mr. Money." The time has come to start spending my time on something that actually makes sense, and to escape this torment I'm in for refusing to accept that what we are witnessing these years is, quite simply, the end of the United States' reign over the Seventh Art. The Seventh Art is dead. Long live the Seventh Art.
- brian6583April 7, 2025Kirsten Dunst follows various soldiers around while taking pictures for nearly 2 feckin hours.
- Chris CSeptember 8, 2025This isn't an easy movie to watch in many ways, with incredibly tense and emotionally heavy scenes. It's not an action movie, though there are a number of very action-heavy scenes. It's also not a political movie, despite what might be expected based on the premise. What you get here is really about war correspondent journalists and a pursuit of chronicling what happens, leaving it up to their viewer or reader to draw conclusions. There are excellent performances from the cast particularly Wagner Moura and Cailee Spaeny, but there wasn't a bad one in the film. The sound design in this film is phenomenal, from early quiet scenes to the chaotic (and loud!) urban battle in the third act. Civil War feels at once fantastical and all too plausible.
Civil War Trivia
Civil War was released on April 10, 2024.
Civil War was directed by Alex Garland.
Civil War has a runtime of 1 hr 48 min.
Civil War was produced by Andrew Macdonald, Allon Reich, Gregory Goodman.
The key characters in Civil War are Lee (Kirsten Dunst), Joel (Wagner Moura), Jessie (Cailee Spaeny).
Civil War is rated R.
Civil War is an Action, War, Thriller film.
Civil War has an audience rating of 6.9 out of 10.