It’s not a coincidence that the most intense war film I’ve ever experienced was written and directed by an Iraq War veteran. Ray Mendoza teams up with Alex Garland to deliver Warfare, the most realistic and dramatic war operation you’re going to see on film.
The film embeds audiences with a platoon of American Navy SEALs on a surveillance mission gone wrong. For sight and sound, it’s an absolute must-see experience in IMAX. The SEALs are staked out in Ramadi, Iraq, seemingly commandeering whichever residence would give them an advantage. After their location is compromised, it’ll take every soldier working on one accord to survive the oncoming assault and make their way to safety.
The film opens to loud outfits and wild hair, teeming with the essence of late-90s jazzercise. The oddly placed aerobic video is interrupted by the sight of a group of men in fatigues, huddled around a meager television set, cheering in support. As awkward as it initially appeared, the other side of the coin gives a glimpse of camaraderie amongst the men before everything they know goes haywire.
Every second of the film oozes authenticity, something that was extremely important to Ray Mendoza. “We made this film as a reminder to the people who make the decisions to go to war that there are people that will answer that call so others don’t have to – and usually it’s the youth of America,” said Mendoza. “The film is not only an immersive experience of warfare, but also a bridge to communication about the subject of combat.” Mendoza and Alex Garland addressed the press during a Q&A session after a screening. Two powerful takeaways from the conversation were the importance of communication and what was necessary to make the film.
“Oftentimes a veteran of active military person wants to talk about war, or a loved one wants to understand it,” Mendoza explained. “But conveying the confusion of combat or seeing a friend wounded; those are hard things to talk about.” He continued to explain how young they were when they fought in Ramadi and how ill-equipped they were for expressing themselves. This absence of tools is part of the reason why it’s difficult for some veterans to seek help. “We didn’t have the tools or dialogue to talk about these things until 20 years later.”
Another interesting factoid was learning how they filmed the action and how much went into each sequence. A host of former SEALs who were part of the operation featured in the movie were on set during filming. They offered a wealth of knowledge, demonstrating how to enter new spaces, communicate on radios, and how to properly handle weapons. A powerful explanation was given as to how the film was reconstructed using their experiences as a collective. Garland told us how a cluster of soldiers could remember a battle taking place, but couldn’t remember who was there. There were many situations where Person A was on a rooftop with two other people, but couldn’t remember who. Sometimes it would take piecing together accounts from all of them to figure out who accompanied whom and where.
The film is extremely violent and quite loud. I would issue a stern word of warning for any veteran who may be struggling with PTSD or other mental health disorders. The sound of an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) exploding at point-blank range, a “display of force” (when a fighter jet flies low over an area and creates what sounds like a sonic boom), or consistent noise from guns and radio calls might be triggering. It’s not just the sights you take in that create a visceral experience, but the copious sounds you take in simultaneously are almost too much to bear.
The cast for the film includes an A-list of young Hollywood talent who impressed throughout: Will Poulter, Kit Connor, Noah Centineo, Taylor John Smith, Adain Bradley, Charles Melton, Tom Dunne, Joseph Quinn, D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Cosmo Jarvis, Aaron Mackenzie, Alex Brockdorff, Finn Bennett, Evan Holtzman, Michael Gandolfini, Joe Macaulay, Laurie Duncan, Jake Lampert, Aaron Deakins, and Henrique Zaga.
Warfare gets a 9.5 out of 10. Never in my life have I experienced a film so mentally stirring. The suspense runs consistently throughout the film and doesn’t let up. If you’re ready for an experience like never before, Warfare is your reason to hit the theater this Friday. An outstanding film and incredibly powerful. Chalk this up as another win for A24.
Warfare premieres in theaters this Friday, April 11.
-Jon Jones
Photos: Courtesy of A24
Genre: Action, Drama, War
Rating: R
Runtime: 1 hr 35 mins
Trailer: Watch
U.S. Release Date: April 11, 2025