Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza’s gripping war drama, Warfare, is making waves at the box office and gaining significant acclaim. Currently screening in theaters nationwide, the film provides a raw and immersive look at the chaos experienced during the Iraq War, capturing the audience’s attention through its intense realism. Drawing inspiration from Mendoza’s personal experiences and those of his fellow soldiers, the film focuses squarely on the soldiers’ perspectives, eschewing broader narratives about the conflict itself.
Despite inevitable comparisons to other Iraq War films, Warfare stands out by choosing a concise, real-time portrayal of a specific event over a lengthy fictional storyline. This unique approach allows the filmmaking techniques to shine, creating an engaging experience that both critics and viewers have warmly received. With several Rotten Tomatoes records already shattered, it remains to be seen if the film will achieve its most significant milestone to date.
Breaking Records: Warfare & Rotten Tomatoes
Top Scores for Cast and Crew
Image via A24
With a verified count of 124 critic reviews, Warfare proudly holds a Certified Fresh status on Rotten Tomatoes, boasting an impressive 94% Tomatometer Score. As the film continues its theatrical run, it has simultaneously earned a Verified Hot Popcornmeter Score of 93%, demonstrating remarkable consensus among both critics and audiences—a rarity in contemporary cinema. This notable score represents a personal best for several members of the production team, although it falls short of the highest ratings achieved by stars D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai and Will Poulter in previous films.
| Person | Role in Warfare | Previous Rotten Tomatoes Score |
|---|---|---|
| Alex Garland | Director, Writer | Ex Machina (92%) |
| Ray Mendoza | Director, Writer | The Outpost (91%) |
| Taylor John Smith | Frank | The Outpost (91%) |
| Michael Gandolfini | Lt. McDonald | The Many Saints of Newark (72%) |
| Adain Bradley | Sgt. Laerrus | Wrong Turn (64%) |
| Henry Zaga | Aaron | Queer (77%) |
| Charles Melton | Jake | May December (91%) |
Warfare marks Ray Mendoza’s directorial and writing debut, although he has previously served as a military consultant on prominent films and shows, including the critically acclaimed yet underappreciated The Outpost. For Alex Garland, achieving the highest score with Warfare is an extraordinary milestone in a distinguished career that includes acclaimed works like Ex Machina, Annihilation, and 28 Days Later.
Chasing the Top Spot: Warfare‘s Rotten Tomatoes Aspirations
The Film It Trails: An Oscar Winner
Over the past four decades, numerous films have depicted America’s military engagements in the Middle East, particularly during the early 2000s in Iraq and Afghanistan. Warfare focuses on a pivotal incident shortly after the Battle of Ramadi, which occurred from March to November 2006. While Garland and Mendoza share directorial duties, Garland has emphasized his supportive role in bringing Mendoza’s vision to life.
Currently, Warfare stands just 2% below the highest Rotten Tomatoes score for any Iraq War film. That honor is held by Kathryn Bigelow’s celebrated 2008 thriller, The Hurt Locker, which features an all-star cast led by Jeremy Renner and Anthony Mackie. Although The Hurt Locker draws inspiration from real events in Iraq, it presents a fictionalized narrative, unlike the strictly realistic approach of Warfare. The Hurt Locker currently boasts a Tomatometer Score of 96% based on a larger pool of over 287 verified critic reviews.
Competing with a Best Picture Winner: A Remarkable Challenge
An Incredible Benchmark
As Warfare embarks on the early days of its theatrical release, it retains the potential for its Rotten Tomatoes score to fluctuate as more critics share their insights. With The Hurt Locker‘s score rooted in comprehensive reviews, achieving or surpassing such a reputation would be monumental for Warfare. Winning six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, famously puts a spotlight on the film’s impact. However, Warfare seeks to address criticisms directed at The Hurt Locker concerning its portrayal of soldiers’ realities, delivering a narrative that prioritizes authentic experiences based on the memories shared by those who endured the war.
For more about Warfare, check out its official page on Rotten Tomatoes.