Civil War follows a group of journalists and photojournalists to interview the President of America. It’s essentially just a road trip to Washington DC.
There’s a fictitious civil war going on between America and the Western Forces (a group of militias from California and Texas).
There is an ambiguity that allows you to add your own interpretations about what is going on, why and how the civil was started. But it shows a dystopian future in America.
The events are unexpected. It’s a little unclear who the enemy is or what triggered the civil war and fighting. But some of the soldiers have gone rogue and started making up their own rules.
The shooting and gunfire are punctured by the sounds of insects and nature. The stark contrast excels in these scenes. You might wonder what the characters are thinking in these private downtime moments.
Every so often we get the viewpoint of what it’s like to take photographs in a dangerous situation. As an avid photographer, I found this interesting and effective.
The group portray being traumatized and numb from their experiences. The acting is good especially experienced photographer, Lee (Kirsten Dunst).
Some scenes are quite graphic and designed to shock. It’s not a film for anyone who is easily offended or dislikes blatant racism.
Perhaps one song was the wrong choice. Why doesn’t anyone grab the camera? And surely, the real president has a secret pathway underneath the building to escape in emergencies!
If Civil War sounds like your jam, then you’ll definitely want to see it in the cinema.
About Civil War
From writer/director Alex Garland and starring Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, Stephen McKinley Henderson, and Cailee Spaeny. Australian release date of 11 April 2024.