X
In Theaters Now
- 2024
- R
- A24
- 1 h 49 m
- 2024
- R
- A24
- 1 h 49 m
Summary From filmmaker Alex Garland comes a journey across a dystopian future America, following a team of military-embedded journalists as they race against time to reach DC before rebel factions descend upon the White House.
Directed By: Alex Garland
Written By: Alex Garland
In Theaters Now
- 2024
- R
- A24
- 1 h 49 m
- 2024
- R
- A24
- 1 h 49 m
Civil War
75
6.2
Where to Watch
Summary From filmmaker Alex Garland comes a journey across a dystopian future America, following a team of military-embedded journalists as they race against time to reach DC before rebel factions descend upon the White House.
Directed By: Alex Garland
Written By: Alex Garland
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 64 Critic Reviews
75
77% Positive
49 Reviews
49 Reviews
22% Mixed
14 Reviews
14 Reviews
2% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 64 Critic Reviews
75
77% Positive
49 Reviews
49 Reviews
22% Mixed
14 Reviews
14 Reviews
2% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
Forget such questions of whether 'Civil War' is good or bad, fresh or rotten, and any other gradation scale that comes to mind. This film is mandatory.
By Charlotte Simmons
FULL REVIEW
Civil War enflames our discomfort by bringing the conflict to our own backyard.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 399 User Ratings
6.2
59% Positive
236 Ratings
236 Ratings
19% Mixed
75 Ratings
75 Ratings
22% Negative
88 Ratings
88 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 399 User Ratings
6.2
59% Positive
236 Ratings
236 Ratings
19% Mixed
75 Ratings
75 Ratings
22% Negative
88 Ratings
88 Ratings
This movie portrays a hypothetical future where the current civil political strife in the USA goes out of control into civil war. The movie showcases the current situation and conclusion of the war and leaves the audience to wonder how and why the war started. A stunning reminder to all in the present to think what they have got to lose if the current divisions in society to go out of control.
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One of the best films I have ever seen is a searing indictment of the current free fall of the USA and an eerie harbinger of possible days to come. It takes tremendous courage to put together a film like this that challenges notions of comfort and stability and throws into question the existential assurance of the empire itself. Enemies foreign and extraterrestrial, natural and bizarre, are all welcome fodder on cinema screens, but enemies domestic tearing each other apart in the most brutal, inhumane manner is something many will find difficult to accept. The rage of the Western forces depicted here is unnerving—one wonders what factors today are seeping into the psyche to create such anger and what the trigger point might be. I have not felt this helpless in a movie journey since the peerless ‘The Road’ with Viggo Mortensen. The action sequences are breathtaking, like scenes of a modern warfare game. The urban combat endgame is breathtaking in tension and outcome. Visually stunning, this movie is a feast for the eyes across the entire landscape and journey of war-torn USA. I must give hats off to the cast. Kirsten Dunst delivers the mature, introspective performance of a war journalist who is deeply haunted by her demons and seeking a noble exit. Wagner Moura plays a jaded joker who tries to laugh or drink off his demons. Breakout star Cailee Spaeny lays a driven young protege who sacrifices all for the shot. Stephen McKinley is the calm voice of age and wisdom, no less courageous than the rest. I will not forget this movie anytime soon.
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With horrific wars raging in other parts of the world, and with politically charged violence part of the fabric of this country, “Civil War” will hit home no matter where you live.
This is a movie I was somewhat dreading—its premise just seems too possible in these fractious days—yet Garland managed to imbue Civil War with a solemnity and maturity that made me grateful for it. Let’s hope it remains a warning, not a weather vane.
It is a film about journalistic ethics and, in its own way, the interpretation of images is grounded in [Dunst’s] outstanding performance. It isn’t an easy role to inhabit, but she does so perfectly.
Civil War works on the level of intellectual exercise: a film clear-eyed on the horrors of war and trauma in which journalists are the unsentimental heroes, and which relies on the audience to supply their own assumptions of American politics rather than spoon-feed reality. But the distance makes for an at times frustrating watch – stimulating on the level of adrenaline, not emotions.
The plot plods along — they drive a bit, guy gets shot, they drive some more, guy gets shot — and the dialogue is bottom of the barrel.
I really don’t know how anyone can not like this movie. It was super intense, super well done and my favorite movie of the year so far. The complaints from people are ridiculous.
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Civil War has such an interesting and even insane concept. The American states are becoming divided because of a fascist president and are now split into multiple factions. You think they will explore how it got to this, all the ideals of the differing factions and how on Earth would Texas and California be willing to team up. Sadly, this movie doesn't go into depth about any of the political stuff and keeps it vague. Civil War is actually more of an exploration of war photography than the war itself. The characters are all one-dimensional archetypes with the jaded main character, the old wise teacher figure, the cool drunk guy and the newbie. It never goes beyond with the story. Nevertheless, the action set pieces are incredible. The visuals and soundtrack are also terrific but if you wanted something bold then this is sadly not it.
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I was really looking forward to watching Civil War, it looked very intriguing from the trailer & looked like the movie for the zeitgeist enveloping the US.
The movie gets the vibe right & gets the message across well.
The cinematography is excellent, looked great in Dolby Vision.
However it's very slow paced for my liking. I'd have hated watching this in the cinema, which I initially planned to do. It was made way more enjoyable by watching the movie in 2x Speed. It ran like a 60fps game, very smooth. Perfect for 'dead scenes' where there was little to no dialogue. The movie lacks dialogue in general but it works for what's being conveyed.
Inadvertently for the majority of it's a run time, I was ironically thinking, this is a great advert for cameras & photography as the majority of the movie is journalists just taking pics of the madness.
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This movie had so much potential that was just flushed down the toilet to become a movie glorifying journalists.
The trailers were a lie and only showed the best parts of the movie that they knew would pull you in but when you actually watch it, it's nothing but disappointment.
The setting is great but is ultimately ruined by terrible acting and a plot that makes zero sense.
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Production Company
A24,
DNA Films,
IPR.VC
Release Date Apr 12, 2024
Duration 1 h 49 m
Rating R
Tagline Welcome to the frontline
Awards
Astra Midseason Movie Awards
• 6 Nominations
Golden Trailer Awards
• 2 Nominations
SXSW Film Festival
• 1 Nomination