Warfare, the highly anticipated film from A24, promises to delve deep into the complexities of modern combat. Directed by Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza, a former Navy SEAL, this gripping narrative follows Garland’s critically acclaimed work in the dystopian thriller, Civil War. Mendoza’s firsthand military experience heavily influences the film, having served as the military supervisor on Garland’s previous projects.
Warfare is positioning itself as a striking successor to Civil War, which was released in 2024 and earned praise for its unique storytelling. Garnering a robust early Rotten Tomatoes score that has already eclipsed its predecessor, expectations are running high. Initial audience reactions indicate that Warfare is set to align with the acclaimed benchmarks of Garland’s filmography, delivering a powerful and thought-provoking cinematic experience.
Early Critical Reception of Warfare
Positive First Impressions Abound
Critics have widely praised Warfare for its authenticity. With Mendoza’s real-world insights combined with Garland’s distinctive filmmaking expertise, the film delivers a profoundly accurate portrayal of the psychological and emotional trials faced by soldiers in today’s combat. Reviewers have noted the action is described as “relentless,””brutal,”and “visceral,”capturing the unyielding tension as soldiers navigate a perilous urban war zone.
The narrative closely mirrors a specific real-time Navy SEAL mission from 2006, providing an additional layer of gritty realism to the film.
Mary Kassel from ScreenRant highlights the immersive quality of the movie. The framing mimics real-time action, enhancing the intensity of the viewing experience:
If there’s one thing that can’t be denied about Warfare, it’s that it’s immersive, and there’s no escape from the onslaught of sound, gore, and anxiety that pervade the film.
Critics are also commending the film for its raw honesty—while it doesn’t deliver overt anti-war messages, the relentless portrayal of wartime realities may naturally evoke such sentiments among viewers. As Mendoza articulated in an interview with Empire Magazine: “If you watch that and you’re like, ‘F***, yeah, war is awesome,’ then there’s probably something wrong with you. This is what war looks like.”
Building on the Foundation of Civil War
Highlighting the Harsh Realities of War
While Civil War focused on the societal and political fabric of dystopian America, Warfare digs deeper into the visceral experiences of combatants, leaving the explore of political motivations aside. The film immerses audiences entirely in the dread, chaos, and anxiety that define modern warfare, emphasizing survival as the ultimate objective.
Early Reception and Rotten Tomatoes Score
A Promising Start in Critical Reception
As of now, Warfare holds an impressive Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score of 94% based on the reviews of 34 verified critics. While this score reflects a high level of praise, it is still subject to change over time. In contrast, Civil War currently boasts a score of 81% after receiving a total of 398 reviews. It’s noteworthy that Garland’s innovative storytelling often attracts a polarized response from audiences, which could account for the differing audience scores.
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Overview of Alex Garland’s Directorial Works |
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|---|---|---|---|
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Title |
Year Released |
RT Tomatometer Score |
RT Audience Score |
|
Ex Machina |
2014 |
92% |
86% |
|
Annihilation |
2018 |
88% |
67% |
|
Men |
2022 |
69% |
40% |
|
Civil War |
2024 |
81% |
69% |
Warfare is set to release in theaters on April 11, 2025, with early screenings scheduled for April 10. As more reviews come in, the film’s Tomatometer score may fluctuate. Based on its positive reception, however, Warfare shows the potential to be one of Garland’s most esteemed directorial efforts.
Source: Empire Magazine, Rotten Tomatoes