A24’s gripping war drama Warfare draws inspiration from the incredible real-life experiences of former Navy SEAL Ray Mendoza. His journey—from the tumultuous streets of Iraq to the helm of a major Hollywood production—highlights a remarkable narrative. The film recreates a harrowing engagement that Mendoza and his platoon encountered in November 2006, contextualizing the fallout of the Battle of Ramadi during the Iraq War. Every aspect of the film’s narrative has been meticulously crafted from the firsthand accounts of Mendoza and his comrades, ensuring an unparalleled level of authenticity.
This film marks the directorial and writing debut of Mendoza, who has quietly built a name for himself in Hollywood over the past decade. Although veteran filmmaker Alex Garland is credited as a co-director, he has transparently positioned himself in a supporting role, effectively nurturing Mendoza’s artistic vision. Notably, despite Mendoza’s initial lack of directorial experience, Warfare has been breaking records on Rotten Tomatoes, celebrated for its impactful realism and immersive storytelling. This film represents a transformative chapter in Mendoza’s career, paving the way for significant future endeavors in filmmaking.
Ray Mendoza Left The Military In 2014, Eight Years After The Events Portrayed In Warfare
A Proven Leader During Critical Operations
Image via A24
Ray Mendoza enlisted in the Navy in 1997 and dedicated approximately 16 years of service, establishing himself as a formidable soldier long before the events depicted in Warfare unfolded. This experience is vividly portrayed in the film, where D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai embodies Mendoza’s character as laser-focused amidst chaos. During the time of the incident, Mendoza held the crucial position of Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC), responsible for coordinating communications and directing military aircraft to support ground forces effectively.
Prior to his journey behind the camera, Mendoza’s entertainment aspirations began with his role in the 2012 action film Act of Valor, which featured real active-duty Navy SEALs and SWCC personnel. This early exposure to the film industry ignited Mendoza’s passion for storytelling and laid the groundwork for his post-military career.
Ray Mendoza’s Extensive Contribution to Film and Television Since 2013
A Multifaceted Role in Hollywood Productions
According to Stars and Stripes, Mendoza’s journey to the director’s chair has not been without challenges. Following his departure from military service in 2014, he took on roles as a military advisor for high-profile films such as Lone Survivor, which chronicles the harrowing experiences of fellow SEAL veteran Marcus Luttrell in Afghanistan. This collaboration, particularly with director Peter Berg, helped launch Mendoza into further advisory roles across multiple projects.
|
Warfare – Key Details |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Release Date |
Budget |
RT Tomatometer Score |
RT Popcornmeter Score |
Metacritic Metascore |
Metacritic User Score |
|
April 11th, 2025 |
$20 million |
94% |
93% |
76 |
7.5/10 |
Initially, Mendoza’s behind-the-scenes tasks did not yield substantial financial rewards, and building recognition in those roles proved to be challenging. Nevertheless, he persisted and eventually worked on notable films and series, including Jurassic World, Mile 22, and The Outpost. Moreover, he contributed his skills to the popular video game Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, demonstrating his versatility in both film and interactive media. Mendoza also made appearances in the short film Operation Pawn and the Prime Video series The Terminal List, where he served as a technical guide.
Ray Mendoza’s Experience on Civil War Set the Stage for Co-Directing Warfare
Culminating in a Collaborative Creative Partnership
After spending a decade honing his craft and preparing for the next step, Mendoza collaborated with the renowned Alex Garland on the 2024 film Civil War. This experience proved pivotal in Mendoza’s career trajectory. During the film’s climactic scene depicting the assault on the White House, Garland allowed Mendoza to take the lead in directing, a clear testament to their productive working relationship. Mendoza’s commitment to real-time storytelling showcased his unique perspective on military combat, impressing Garland and inspiring him to inquire about military stories that would depart from typical Hollywood representations of time during battle sequences.
The outcome is Warfare, which unfolds in real time from the very beginning of the film. In a similar vein to Civil War, Garland embraced a supportive role, permitting Mendoza to unfurl his creative vision. Feedback from veterans has been overwhelmingly positive, underscoring the film’s authenticity and contributing to its exceptional critical acclaim. As the success of Warfare indicates, Ray Mendoza’s filmmaking career is on a promising upward trajectory.
Source: Stripes