Deep Connections Formed During the Filming of Warfare
Charles Melton and the cast of Warfare discovered meaningful ways to connect while working on this A24 film, which dramatizes a real-life Navy SEALs mission during the Iraq War.
The film debuted with its first screening at the Hollywood Legion Theater in Los Angeles on Wednesday. This exclusive event enabled military veterans to be among the earliest audiences to experience the movie before its theatrical release on April 11. Following the screening, co-directors Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland shared the stage with cast members, including Melton and D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, alongside veterans who were involved in the actual events of 2006.
Intensive Preparation for Authenticity
Melton highlighted that the cast participated in a rigorous three-month “immersive boot camp” designed to instill the mindset and operational tactics of Navy SEALs. “We learned how to move, the specific terminology, military tactics, and communications—our days were packed from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.,” he shared. As part of their bonding experience, all the cast members received buzz cuts and even got matching tattoos.
A Unique Tattoo and Lasting Bonds
Woon-A-Tai humorously revealed that he chose a tattoo reading “Call on Me,” positioned just under his underwear, joking about his reluctance to participate in sex scenes. He added, “Sometimes, I wake up naked and see it. I think to myself, ‘I miss these guys.'” This playful perspective underscores the camaraderie forged through their shared experiences.
Stewart Cook/A24 via Getty Images
A Brotherhood Beyond the Screen
Reflecting on his experience, Woon-A-Tai expressed, “I really built a brotherhood with these guys in the very short span of a few months.” The film’s cast also features other talents, including Will Poulter, Cosmo Jarvis, Kit Connor, Michael Gandolfini, Noah Centineo, and Joseph Quinn.
From Real Experiences to the Big Screen
Warfare was co-written by Mendoza, who draws from his own experiences in the Iraq War. The script is informed by interviews with actual members of his platoon, and, interestingly, Mendoza and Garland forged a partnership while working together on Garland’s previous film Civil War, where Mendoza served as a military advisor.
“More than anything, this film embodies honesty,” Garland commented on the true essence of Warfare. “Its raw and unflinching approach is a testament to its authenticity.”
Mendoza, passionate about sharing the veterans’ stories, emphasized the challenge many face in conveying their wartime memories to civilians. “One day, I was determined to create my own film, to take responsibility for those narratives, and offer a voice to those who struggle to articulate their experiences,” he stated.