Explosions. Gunshots. Echoes.
Although these sounds may be unfamiliar to normal citizens walking to school, these sounds are the reality for the group of people on frontlines of war: our soldiers. Our bravest have to face active war zones and areas of conflict. But that reality often goes unnoticed by civilians, and it's troubling to imagine what it could be like.
But for those who have seen Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland's new A24 film, "Warfare," it becomes much more of a reality. Starring Will Poulter, Kit Connor and Cosmo Jarvis, the film is a look into what it truly means to be on the frontlines of war. Set in Iraq in 2006, the film follows a day in the life of a military unit of nine and the action-packed events that unfold.
The movie also focuses on the Iraqi occupation, and how families in Iraq were affected by the war. The family is devastated to see their home destroyed by both the American and Iraqi fighters, their lives are left shaken by the film's events.
War movies have been done before — but not in the way that this movie depicts it. There is no hero here, just a bunch of regular guys that have signed up to fight for their country. They are scared but also courageous. They are just normal people but with completely different lives.
The movie captures every fear, pain and feeling of guilt that being in an environment like that could create. It definitely still runs short of what it actually feels like, but it comes pretty close.
Only running for 1 hour and 35 minutes, the film keeps you on your toes the entire time. The cinematography is captivating — sound effects and makeup make the audience feel like they are right next to each of the soldiers in real-time. Explosions are loud, along with the sonic boom of ears ringing and faded hearing abilities. Each decision point is full of tension, asking audience members to be gut-wrenchingly present inside the film.
These decision points also urge the audience to ask themselves what they would do in the given situation. For civilians in the audience, hesitating to make even one of these hard decisions could cost lives.
The film also depicts the fear behind each of these soldiers' eyes. After a triggering explosion happens in the first 30 minutes of the movie, the unexpected injuries and casualties cause each of the men to lock into their surroundings. But with each of the heavy traumatic occurrences comes disassociation and complete panic for what could be next.
The film portrays all the tropes of typical military fashion — but in this movie, it's real. The feeling of being part of what is happening and staying tuned to how each character reacts to the moment signifies the complete range of emotions when their lives are at stake.
A24 films have been known to invoke hard-hitting lessons and difficult decisions. This movie does exactly that, in a context that is both misunderstood and yet eerily familiar.
"Warfare" is a testament to our nation's bravest souls that have been through hell and back.
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Editor's note: The opinions presented in this review are the author's and do not imply any endorsement from The State Press or its editors.
Edited by Andrew Dirst, Sophia Ramirez and Natalia Jarrett.
Reach the reporter at gachatht@asu.edu.
Like The State Press on Facebook and follow @statepress on X.
Gokul is a sophomore studying actuarial science. This is his fourth semester with The State Press.
