Film Review: Warfare

What do Warfare, 1917, Dunkirk and All Quiet On the Western Front have in common? They’re all war stories, but this feature takes a slightly different approach… 

When the trailer for this film was released, many people probably felt the same way—here lies another movie glorifying the horrors of war. And, I’ll admit, I had that initial reaction too. But sitting in the cinema, watching along with the rest of the audience, I was somewhat surprised by the difference I saw from what this war piece depicted on screen. 

Directed by Alex Garland and former US Navy Seal Ray Mendoza, Warfare is a captivating combat film like no other. It focuses on Mendoza and his platoon’s recollections from the Iraq war, zoning in on their experience as US Navy SEALs on November 19, 2006, following the battle of Ramadi. During a surveillance mission in insurgent territory, we follow the soldiers performing overwatch in support of the US Marines' operation in the area. Of course, what can go wrong does, as an increase of unwanted activity begins to worry the team, leading them to take action. 

Think military terms like “Alpha team, Bravo one, come in, over” along with coordinated attacks, ranks, strategic manoeuvres, and snipers all moving in tandem. There’s the odd shot here and there of blown-apart appendages, bloody soldiers, but nothing shy of what a war film usually portrays. It presents typical war tropes, but these are just the building blocks for something more nuanced. 

What makes Warfare stand out from the rest is its retelling in real time based on the memories of the actual soldiers who experienced it, including Mendoza's. The isolated recounting of combat war is something I appreciated, as it kept the film captivating instead of jumping from one location to the next. Unlike most conventional war stories, where there’s the patriotism to serve God and country or a heart-warming attachment we have for that one character, what our directors provide here is a brutal, gritty and intense driven film. There’s no backstory, just us (the audience) thrown in to experience boots-on-the-ground realities of war.

The casting involves some of the best and brightest male rising stars, especially Elliot (Cosmo Jarvis), a man of few words and Sam (Joseph Quinn), brash and wise-cracking, who both deliver nerve-wrenching performances that will leave you gripping the edge of your seat. We also have Canadian actor (D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai) playing the watchful, yet weighty presence of the younger Mendoza, on whose memories the film is largely based. Peppered with the rest of the cast of heartthrob gentlemen, including Will Poulter, Kit Conner and Charles Melton, to name a few, was interesting because it felt nothing was majorly required from them, except to experience pain. That’s not to say this group of men didn’t bring anything to this film; they did. They fit together so effortlessly, showing sheer force of brotherhood and a strong bond when circumstances took grave turns. 

But Warfare’s true main character was definitely the sound design, which was insanely visceral and jarring that my ears were left ringing long after the credits. From earth-shattering explosions twinned with a military operation named ‘show of force’ intended to intimidate and warn the opposing opponent, was scarily loud but necessary. Only made more effective by the opening scene’s choice of music provides a juxtaposed approach to what the audience is actually in for. 

If you’ve watched too many war films and are expecting (or wanting) something similar to traditional Hollywood war movies filled with valour, glory, duty and celebratory trappings…then this might not be the film for you. Warfare takes a more nuanced approach to the typical war-driven narrative, immersing you in a brutally realistic environment that pulls no punches. It presents war in a raw and undesirable manner, evoking the harsh realities of conflict. 

Strangely, Warfare is almost refreshing, in an unpleasant way. A narrative forcing you to face that this is war, whether you like it or not. 

Warfare is now showing at Broadway and Savoy cinemas.