'Warfare' Review: An Intense, Shocking and Unique Portrayal of Combat
- Jack Ransom
- 5 hours ago
- 2 min read
By Jack Ransom - April 21, 2025
Hot on the heels of his successful yet undeniably divisive Civil War from last year, Alex Garland returns, this time as a co-director/writer alongside real life Navy Seal Ray Mendoza, of whom this film’s situation he was a part of.
Warfare sees a platoon of Navy SEALs embark on a dangerous mission in Ramadi, Iraq, with the chaos and brotherhood of war retold through their memories of the event.
Intense, stressful, exhausting and terrifying are just some of the words that can be used to describe Warfare. It’s quite a tricky film to review traditionally, as the film itself doesn’t follow any traditional three act structure or character arc/development. It’s essentially the equivalent of being a fly-on-the-wall or a body-cam as we witness the events play out in real time in a procedural manner with no shying away from the patience involved, as well as the foot-tap inducing anxiety and unpredictability of surveying and staking out a potential conflict outbreak.
This real time presentation is effortlessly and effectively utilised here. From the unit’s upbeat and wild introduction (and only glimpse of optimism) through to their quiet, palm-sweating and (intentionally) mundane surveillance duty as they are packed together in a partially abandoned building. Despite nothing happening outright before our eyes, the constant wave of alertness, the mostly muted, deadpan military-lingo filled interactions, blazing sun and palpable heat, as well as the reason for their placement instantaneously caused my heart-rate and breathing to become noticeable before the inevitable trigger.
Once the IED detonates all hell breaks loose. Firstly, I can’t not mention how staggeringly impressive the sound design is, and how incredible it must sound in IMAX or Dolby Atmos. From the cracks of gunfire, the thunderous fighter jets, the clunking weightiness of the Bradley’s and the horrifying muted, muffled confusion of the post-IED fallout. The practical effect-work does not shy away from the horrors, as wince-inducing injury detail and bloody remains swamp the screen. The gritty, handheld/documentary-esque shooting style coupled with Garland's bigger budget bravado makes for a uniquely cinematic, yet still grounded visual style.
As previously mentioned, there isn’t traditional character work here, as essentially this is borderline documentary footage. That being said the cast are all very committed and throw themselves into trauma, panic, fear and rage of the situation. Familiar faces Will Poulter, Joseph Quinn and Michael Gandolfini to name but a few leave a strong impression, as does D’Pharoah Woon-A-Tai (who actually plays Ray in this), Alex Brockdorff and Kit Connor. Honestly, though, everyone is strong here.
Warfare is an intense, gruelling, bloody, shocking and unique portrayal of combat that utilises its real time gimmick to great effect. It may test some viewer’s patience with this method and its distance from getting heavily involved in its characters, however from a sonic, visual and atmosphere perspective it’s a brilliant achievement.
Warfare is out now in cinemas
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