Is ‘Warfare’ the Most Authentic War Movie Ever Made?

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A year after Alex Garland mentioned his plan to stop directing following the premiere of “Civil War”, he’s returned with a new project. This upcoming weekend will see the debut of “Warfare“, a film that Garland co-directed with Ray Mendoza, who served as the military supervisor on “Civil War”. The movie is heavily influenced by Mendoza’s real experiences as a Navy SEAL during the Iraq War. Nearly all of it unfolds in real-time, and “Warfare” tells the story of a platoon undertaking a mission in hostile territory, where things start to unravel rapidly.

So far, the film “Warfare” has been highly praised; at present, it holds a 93% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Many have observed that the movie shares similarities with “Civil War”, focusing more on action immersion rather than delving into the politics that sparked the conflict (it remains to be seen if this film will stir up as much controversy). However, what truly stands out is Mendoza and Garland’s remarkable commitment to authenticity and precision in their work, potentially making “Warfare” one of the most realistic war films in recent memory.

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‘Warfare’ Was Largely Inspired by Memory

In the role as a veteran, Mendoza placed utmost importance on authenticity when it came to warfare portrayal in the film. Notably, scenes from a real combat mission in Ramadi, which Mendoza was part of, were meticulously recreated based on his personal memories of the conflict. Particularly significant is the character of Elliott Miller, one of Mendoza’s squad members, who sustained severe injuries during the mission and now has fuzzy memories of it. The film takes great care to accurately represent Elliott’s experiences.

In a recent discussion, Alex Garland pointed out that memory is intricate and not like video or photographs. It’s influenced significantly by time, stress, trauma, and even concussions. Contrary to popular belief, Mendoza was not interested in personal therapy. Instead, he and Garland interviewed numerous individuals associated with the conflict, aiming to paint as authentic a picture of the events as they could.

Warfare in this portrayal doesn’t follow a conventional storyline but provides a real-time account of the entire military operation from start to finish. Characters are not extensively developed, mirroring Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk, where our compassion for the soldiers arises primarily from the desire for their survival. This approach creates an anti-war sentiment less through emotional drama and more by plunging viewers into a vivid portrayal of war’s unescapable horror.

According to Julian Roman’s review on MovieWeb, Mendoza and Garland convey a harsh reality indirectly. They question why these heroes, their translators, and the uninvolved family had to endure living Hell itself. Did they significantly impact the Iraq War? Was their mission justified considering the cost of life lost? Regrettably, it appears that the answer is a definite no. The filmmakers expose the raw truth. It’s inappropriate to send our young soldiers into dangerous situations without clear motives and goals. Essentially, Warfare is a powerful anti-war movie throughout its entirety.

‘Warfare’ Prioritized Total Technical Accuracy

Mendoza’s commitment to authenticity in portraying his experiences in the movie “Warfare” extended beyond just the narrative aspects. Prior to filming, the main cast, including D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Will Poulter, Joseph Quinn, Kit Connor, Michael Gandolfini, and Charles Melton, all participated in a three-week intensive training program modeled after Navy SEALs’ regular training. This included mastering the use of machine guns, learning effective radio communication, and fostering teamwork and camaraderie as a squadron. Such dedication to detail would undoubtedly impress Michael Mann.

Mendoza carefully portrayed the intense battles he had witnessed, focusing on their chaotic and disorienting aspects. During a press event, he expressed, “If you’ve ever been in a firefight, you know the confusion that ensues. How do I capture the chaos… Where is the gunfire coming from? What does it sound like? Every shot, every burst, I didn’t just add them randomly… it’s purposeful, it’s driven.

Additionally, these aspects influenced the choices made by the camera operator, sound technicians, and scene designers. To create a sense of immersion, most shots are extended takes that capture the chaos unfolding with the squadron as mayhem ensues. Conversely, Mendoza and Garland opted to omit a conventional score in pursuit of authenticity, while they meticulously manipulated gunfire sounds for realism during post-production. Notably, the house where the squadron is pinned down in the movie was specifically constructed from scratch, mirroring Mendoza’s real-life experiences, even replicating the exact positioning of bloodstains and sniper holes.

In essence, Warfare stands out as one of the most technically accurate war films in recent years, skillfully eschewing the typical blockbuster-like depiction of combat scenes. It’s unusual because we hope for the gunfights to be avoided in this movie, and that speaks volumes about Mendoza’s vision. Warfare maintains its deep personal touch while being intensely terrifying almost all the time. Warfare is set to hit theaters on April 11.

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2025-04-11 00:03