Civil War was written and directed by the inimitable Alex Garland, and it explores an alternate near future where the United States has fractured under the fascistic leadership of a President (Nick Offerman) in his third term of office. This has led to a civil war between the Western Forces (led by Texas and California) and Washington D.C, with society in between collapsing.

 

Garland made the interesting choice of addressing this setting through the perspectives of his journalist main characters, the lead of which is a photojournalist, allowing for the exploration of ideas and scenarios without an apparent opinion or judgment being provided to the audience by the film.

 

Kirsten Dunst plays Lee Smith, a celebrated war photographer, who has seen so much of the darkest side of humanity, but now has to reckon with this same darkness within the borders of her home country. Dunst is excellent here, with her character’s attitude feeling like the only appropriate reaction to the kind of world this America is, until Smith is challenged by the naivety and eagerness of Jessie (Cailee Spaeny), an aspiring young photojournalist to whom Smith is a hero.

 

Civil War is the kind of film that you’ll keep thinking about for a few days after viewing. How its premise seems both far fetched yet unnervingly possible; how it is such a huge movie, yet its story small; how striking and disturbing its representation of the breakdown of the social fabric of the United States is. Also, how the film uses classic songs over moments of violence and disarray - creative yet jarring juxtaposition.

 

The film also looks stunning, with frequent Garland collaborator cinematographer Rob Hardy providing striking images of what a divided America could look and feel like. The sound design of the film is thoroughly impressive too, making the theatrical experience that much more visceral and impactful.

 

Civil War is another masterful film from writer/director Alex Garland, with an engaging lead performance from Kirsten Dunst and striking imagery from cinematographer Rob Hardy. Though the depth of Civil War’s impact may not reveal itself until thinking about its ideas for a few days.