Movie Review: ‘Warfare’ – Breaking Down War-Movie Clichés in a Chilling Portrait of Combat
In a cinematic landscape often saturated with glorified battles and heroic narratives, Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland’s “Warfare” emerges as a provocative counter-narrative. Instead of indulging in the familiar tropes of war films, this gripping account immerses us in the visceral reality of military engagement, marked by a stark absence of cliché.
A Raw Exploration of the Iraq War
“Warfare” transports viewers to Iraq in 2006, focusing on a squad of Navy SEALs on what appears to be a routine mission. As they navigate the dimly lit streets of Ramadi, the film refrains from providing a grand narrative or expository backstories about its characters. “I like this house,” says one soldier, hinting at a fleeting moment of humor amid the tension. But as dawn breaks, the mission unfolds into chaos, revealing the grim seriousness of warfare.
Dismantling War Tropes
One of the film’s defining strengths lies in its commitment to stripping away the traditional narrative fluff associated with military films. Gone are the sentimental monologues about family and homesickness. Instead, we experience the raw intensity through the SEALs’ grim reality, where coherence is as scarce as the dramatization itself. As they set up their position in a civilian apartment, the tension escalates with the presence of suspected jihadists. The film’s immersive quality crafts a chilling atmosphere, as the lines between the soldiers and the civilians blur.
An Authentic Portrayal of Combat
In the heart of “Warfare,” Mendoza and Garland create an intense, almost documentarian experience through a calculated depiction of sound and visuals. The cries and explosions reverberate throughout the film, grounding viewers in the chaos of battle. With minimal dialogue, largely confined to technical Navy jargon, the haunting sound design envelops the audience, pulling them deeper into the immersive conflict.
Confronting the Human Cost of War
At the film’s climax, the narrative takes a dark turn, leaving a haunting question lingering in the air: “Why?” This poignant moment encapsulates the essence of war — its incomprehensible tragedy and the often-unanswered pleas of those affected. The filmmaking duo effectively eludes romanticism, emphasizing instead the grim humanity lost within the chaos.
Despite the lack of sentimental storytelling, “Warfare” does not shy away from showcasing the soldiers’ camaraderie. Characters like sniper Elliott (Cosmo Jarvis) and others — Eric (Will Poulter), Tommy (Kit Connor), Sam (Joseph Quinn), and Ray (D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai) — emerge as honorable fighters bound by loyalty, even as the film offers little in the way of personal backstories.
Striking Images and Sonic Craftsmanship
With production design by Mark Digby, the meticulous recreation of Ramadi becomes a character in its own right, visually narrating the treacherous landscape. The sound design, helmed by Glenn Freemantle, crafts a claustrophobic soundscape that feels palpably real. After a barrage disrupts the battalion, the film shifts into a disorienting state that reflects the mental toll of war on soldiers’ psyches.
The Impact of Real-Life Soldiers
Yet, the film’s conclusion does pose one slight inconsistency. As it rolls into credits, audiences are confronted with images of the actual SEALs involved, some faces blurred, alongside behind-the-scenes footage. While it’s admirable to honor these soldiers, this moment feels jarring, contrasting sharply with the raw immersion experienced throughout the film.
A Paradigm Shift in War Films
“Warfare” goes beyond merely presenting a tribute; it dares to showcase combat in its truest form — messy, chaotic, and often senseless. It examines the cost of war not just on soldiers, but on civilians caught in the crossfire, an aspect frequently overlooked in mainstream narratives. “Warfare” challenges the notion that films can ever be entirely anti-war; instead, it boldly asserts that war’s awful realism cannot be glamorized.
Final Verdict
“Warfare,” an R-rated release from A24, is a heart-stopping vision of combat that engages both the mind and emotions. With a runtime of 107 minutes and a powerful narrative that resists glorification, it stands as a compelling addition to the war film genre. Rating: 3 out of 4 stars.
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