Review: Warfare (2025): A Relentless, Unflinching Masterclass

Warfare (2025)

Warfare, co-directed by Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza, is one of the most realistic war films I’ve ever seen. This isn’t a stylized action piece or a patriotic spectacle. It’s raw, immersive, and hauntingly grounded. Garland’s continued collaboration with Mendoza, a former Navy SEAL, has birthed a visceral experience that demands to be seen on the biggest screen possible. Don’t wait for streaming. If you see ANYTHING in the theater this month, please see this. This movie is built for a dark theater, where the sound rattles your chest and every explosion feels personal.

The film’s dialogue is sparse and dry by design, reflecting how soldiers realistically communicate in the field: brief, tactical, and often silent. It’s not a dialogue-driven film, and that may catch some viewers off guard. But it’s all the more intense because of it. From beginning to end, Warfare maintains a fierce, suffocating pace, putting the viewer right in the boots of those on the ground.

Each scene demonstrates attention to authenticity, and the final credit sequence, which reveals the real military personnel behind each performance, adds a layer of emotional weight while you're already feeling pretty raw.

If Civil War passed you by in theaters, don’t make the same mistake with Warfare. This isn’t just a film; it’s an experience that will echo in your mind long after the credits roll.

4/5