Alex Garland’s latest film, “Civil War,” is his most explicitly political movie yet and studio A24’s most expensive project to date. The film portrays the chaos of a contemporary internal conflict in the United States through the eyes of journalists, led by Kirsten Dunst as war photographer Lee Miller. The crew embarks on a perilous road trip from New York to Washington D.C., where the President (Nick Offerman) is soon to be violently deposed by the “Western Alliance.”
Garland masterfully handles the story’s often-horrific collisions and standoffs with armed strangers in the quartet’s attempt to survive. On this road trip, the group has nervy encounters with all manners of psychopaths and warriors. The dialogue is credible, the cast’s acting skills are impeccable, and Garland’s attention to detail keeps your heart racing throughout the entire movie. The film is visually stunning, with beautiful moments captured in a burning forest that will leave you on the edge of your seat.
Despite the danger they face, Garland has expressed a desire to celebrate journalists in his promotion of the film, who are often seen as targets in an age of dwindling media funding and mistrust of journalists. However, the film may end up glamorizing them a little too much, presenting them as unstoppable beacons of truth. While none of the quartet’s characters is perfect, the soldiers often allow them to follow them into the most dangerous situations. This fact remains an irritating truth in such a bloodbath.
Despite quibbles, “Civil War” is a staggering achievement in spectacle and sound, with vast swathes of the US convincingly up in smoke. The reality of the protagonists is enthralling and very human, and Garland skillfully avoids any hint of computer-generated imagery. While Garland may have ruffled feathers during the film’s press by denouncing ideological arguments over politics as “fucking idiotic,” the movie’s neutrality prevents it from polarizing opinion. Regardless, “Civil War” is a significant accomplishment for Garland and a must-see for any moviegoer.
“Civil War” is set to release in cinemas on April 12th. The film is directed by Alex Garland, stars Kirsten Dunst, Cailee Spaeny, and Nick Offerman
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