This is a review of the movie "Civil War" directed by Alex Garland. The film is an immersive depiction of war, but lacks emotional connection. A critique of Alex Garland's film "Civil War" which presents a powerful representation of war, yet falls short in eliciting emotional investment.

In “Civil War,” the highly anticipated dystopian drama by Alex Garland, the film addresses a divided America torn apart by military conflict. It begins with the president (played by Nick Offerman) preparing to make a speech to the nation, with footage of recent news intertwined. This includes images of riot gear, heavily armed police, and clashes between protestors and authorities. Despite not showing much from the future, Garland (known for his sci-fi successes “Ex Machina” and “Annihilation”) effectively conveys the grim reality of the current state of affairs.

This news is a relief for those who were concerned that Civil War would mirror the current polarizing climate of the election year. It avoids exploiting the oversaturated presence and influence of Donald Trump and instead focuses on the experience of combat journalists in the morally complicated war zone. Despite the high tensions and fear of the current year, Civil War remains impartial and uninvolved, intentionally avoiding any clear connection to current politics or any politics in general.

The movie starts in the midst of a war between Texas and California, who have formed an alliance known as the “Western Front.” Florida has also joined in on this conflict against the federal government. It is revealed through stilted dialogue among journalists that the three-term president has authorized drone attacks on innocent civilians and has disbanded the FBI. In this war, both sides have their own military forces and there is a lack of clear ideologies besides a desire to win. The main characters in the movie, tough and experienced Lee (played brilliantly by Kirsten Dunst), thrill-seeker Joel (Wagner Moura), enthusiastic rookie Jessie (Priscilla’s Cailee Spaeny), and mentor Sammy (Stephen McKinley Henderson), are solely focused on their tasks and missions in this ongoing conflict, which involves capturing evidence.

The film Civil War combines elements of a road movie and a war movie, as the reporters journey through contested areas, from New York to the Western Front in Charlottesville and Washington D.C. Their ultimate goal is to interview the president, an extremely risky task in a zone where journalists are often shot. The movie is successful in creating a suspenseful atmosphere, fully immersing viewers in the conflict and highlighting the mutual distrust between strangers. It is also notably the most expensive production by A24, and the high production value is evident. Director Garland masterfully portrays the devastation of suburban America, showcasing both its haunting beauty and its shocking horrors – from a damaged JC Penney’s store to gruesome images on highway overpasses to a deserted Christmas festival in the summer. These scenes serve as a disturbing commentary on the fragile stability of American society.

The movie Civil War is primarily viewed as an intellectual exercise, presenting the horrors of war and trauma through the perspective of journalists who are portrayed as unsentimental heroes. The film relies on the audience to fill in their own assumptions about American politics, rather than clearly depicting reality. However, this detachment can also be frustrating at times, as the audience may find themselves more stimulated by the action rather than emotionally invested in the characters. The logic of the story may also feel inconsistent, as it is unclear who the journalists are trying to reach without access to cell service or the internet. Furthermore, in a future where shared reality is lost, it seems unlikely that the images captured by these journalists would hold much significance. It is also strange that none of the journalists show any signs of empathy or compassion.

Although righteousness may seem insignificant to those experiencing the violence of war, it’s worth noting that Civil War’s indifference to motivation is somewhat bothersome when considering the intense ideological divide between political parties in current times. When reflecting on America’s historical Civil War, which was fundamentally fought over the topic of slavery and eventually sanitized into a narrative of “states’ rights” over the years, this indifference becomes even more troubling. Garland’s depiction of the Civil War lacks depth in both characterization and world-building, resulting in primarily impactful yet limited visual stimuli, such as the destruction of the capital, desolate highways, and a gripping shootout at the White House. While the harrowing realities of war are effectively captured, the complex emotions and thoughts of those involved are seemingly overlooked.