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Civil War
2024 109 min Finland, United Kingdom, United States of America R 18+
★7.1
War, Action, Drama
Director: Alex Garland
Trailers
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Description
In the near future, a group of war journalists attempt to survive while reporting the truth as the United States stands on the brink of civil war.
Budget:
$50M
US Gross:
$68.76M
Worldwide:
$126.54M
Starring
Kirsten Dunst
Actor
Wagner Moura
Actor
Cailee Spaeny
Actor
Awards
Saturn Awards 2025
— Best Thriller
Saturn Awards 2025
— Best Film Editing
Key opinion
Alex Garland's 'Civil War' is a technically polished and visceral depiction of conflict that prioritizes the harrowing experiences of war photojournalists over political exposition. While many critics praise the film's immersive atmosphere and standout acting, others remain frustrated by its lack of narrative context and refusal to explore the ideological origins of the depicted war.
| Cinematography | The film features immersive, technically impressive cinematography and powerful sound design that heighten the visceral nature of the conflict. | |
| Acting | Jesse Plemons delivers a brief but standout, chilling performance that provides one of the film's most memorable moments. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay is criticized for lacking necessary context, as the film intentionally avoids explaining the ideological origins or specific political causes of the conflict. | |
| Pacing | The narrative structure feels disjointed and episodic, with some viewers perceiving the road-trip format as a series of repetitive, game-like scenarios. | |
| Theme | Critics are divided on the film's refusal to provide political substance: some view this as an effective way to highlight the universal, chaotic nature of violence, while others find it hollow, superficial, and politically aimless. | |
| Acting | Opinions on the lead performances vary, with some finding Kirsten Dunst and the ensemble compelling, while others feel the characters are poorly developed and hindered by a deficient script. |