Warfare is a reminder of the horrors of war, making it an intense and extremely tough watch. It is sure to leave audiences shaken to their core.
Warfare is the best war movie to grace the screen in a long, long time. Directors Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland commit to showing the horrors of war rather than sugar coating it. This is an intense and extremely tough watch. I saw the majority of the film through my fingers, which I truly believe is the point.
This movie follows a platoon of American Navy SEALS through what was one of the most horrific days of their lives. It starts off with the boys having some fun, but things take a shift early on and it quickly becomes one of the most intense war movies I have ever seen.
I have never been in an audience, at a theater, that is so quiet and hanging onto every single moment. You could hear a pin drop, and I am fairly certain I was not the only one holding my breath. The horrors that are playing out on screen are a reminder as to why war is so terrible. And with the way the world is right now, this was an even more terrifying watch than I expected.
Part of the reason Warfare works as well as it does is because of the incredible ensemble cast. They need to portray the bond of a brotherhood that is created during tough situations, and they do exactly that. There are certainly some big name actors – Will Poulter, Charles Melton, and Joseph Quinn to name a few – but every single person on screen knows what they are doing and are fully committed to their roles.
While the majority of the movie takes place in one location, it never feels stale or drags. It is a high-octane, heart-pounding experience from start to finish. It might be only ninety-five minutes, but if I did not know that, I would have thought it was less than an hour long. It somehow both flies by but also has audiences living in certain moments for what feels like far too long.
Warfare is based solely on the memories of this Navy SEAL team, which is incredibly impressive. Once things really get going, there is no going back. There is a lot of blood and gore involved and quite a few stomach-turning moments. If you are squeamish, be warned, because this movie is not afraid to go there.
If you have concerns that Warfare includes politics, do not worry, as it leaves them at the door. That is not what this movie is about, rather, it is a way to honor those who have served without making anyone the hero or the villain. The point of this film is to bring these soldiers’ memories to the screen, as heartbreaking as they are at times.
Warfare should absolutely be seen on the biggest screen possible, in a theater with the best surround sound imaginable. This will create the immersive experience that the film deserves. Turn off your phone and allow yourself to be transported. As difficult as it can be to get through at times, do not turn away from the screen. Really soak it all in.
This movie left me shaken to my core. It is something that will stick with me for a very long time.
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About Warfare
Written and directed by Iraq War veteran Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland (Civil War, 28 Days Later), Warfare embeds audiences with a platoon of American Navy SEALs on a surveillance mission gone wrong in insurgent territory. A visceral, boots-on-the-ground story of modern warfare and brotherhood, told like never before: in real time and based on the memory of the people who lived it.
Warfare comes to theaters on April 11.
Warfare is a reminder of the horrors of war, making it an intense and extremely tough watch. It is sure to leave audiences shaken to their core.
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Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. On Camera personality and TV / Film Critic with 10+ years of experience in video editing, writing, editing, moderating, and hosting.