WARFARE Review
More terrifying than any horror movie
If you ever wondered what it would feel like to be physically tackled by a movie, Alex Garland’s Warfare answers that question with a two-hour adrenaline overdose. Forget slow-burn tension—this is war cinema on steroids, a film that grabs you by the collar and screams, “Are you paying attention?!”
We’re talking heart pumping tension like you’ve never experienced.
Welcome to the Apocalypse (Again)
At this point, Alex Garland (Ex Machina, Annihilation, Men) has made it very clear that he loves throwing people into terrifying, high-stress situations. But while his previous films gave us existential dread and body horror, Warfare strips all that down to pure gut-punching action. Think Black Hawk Down after three Red Bulls, or Saving Private Ryan if it was directed by a guy who just lost his last ounce of patience.
Set in a near-future America that looks suspiciously like next Tuesday, the film drops us straight into a civil war so intense it makes Mad Max look like a casual road trip. These guys aren’t just fighting a war—they’re surviving it, in real-time, while you, the audience, are left wondering if you should be wearing a helmet.
Action That Feels Too Real (In a Good Way?)
Forget the glossy, choreographed battles of Hollywood’s past. Warfare throws you into the dirt and expects you to keep up. The cinematography is so intense that by the end, you might actually need to catch your breath. Bullets don’t just whiz past—they scream. Explosions aren’t distant CGI fireballs—they’re right there in your face. If this film had a smell, it would be gunpowder and sheer panic.
The most real depiction of war ever put to screen.
Garland’s direction is unapologetically raw, blending documentary-style realism with maximum chaos. It’s like he watched 1917 and thought, “Not intense enough.” The shaky-cam is so aggressive that at times, it feels like the camera operator is also actively dodging gunfire.
Performances That Hit Like a Sucker Punch
An all star cast with standouts Will Poulter and Joseph Quinn - there’s no Hollywood glamour here—just pure, unfiltered exhaustion, fear, and split-second decision-making that makes you question whether you could survive five minutes in this world. (Spoiler: You couldn’t.)
The supporting cast brings just as much weight to the chaos, portraying soldiers who are equal parts tough and absolutely terrified. No one is a cartoonish action hero—these are real people, trapped in a situation that is way beyond their control. And that’s the scariest part.
Final Verdict: Do You Have the Nerve?
Warfare is an absolute assault on the senses—and I mean that as a compliment. It’s a masterclass in tension, action, and making audiences feel deeply uncomfortable in the best way possible. If you’re ready for a film that feels like an actual warzone, buckle up. Just don’t expect to leave with your nerves—or your sanity—fully intact.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½
