A24’s upcoming film “Warfare” immerses audiences in the intense and harrowing experiences of a U.S. Navy SEAL platoon during the Iraq War. Directed by combat veteran Ray Mendoza and filmmaker Alex Garland, the movie is a real-time re-enactment based on a 2006 surveillance operation that went awry. The narrative is deeply rooted in the memories of Mendoza and the soldiers who participated in the mission. The film’s authenticity is underscored by its commitment to recount the events without any embellishments or dramatic exaggerations, a rare approach in war films that often romanticize combat.
“Warfare” stars an impressive ensemble, including Cosmo Jarvis, Will Poulter, Charles Melton, Joseph Quinn, Kit Connor, and D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai. The film pays tribute to Elliott Miller, a sniper who was wounded during the operation. Jarvis portrays Miller, whose recollections of the fateful events are sparse, emphasizing the emotional weight of the story. Mendoza shared that the inspiration behind the film came from his desire to create a work that could help Miller, who has long struggled with his memories of the mission.
Mendoza and Garland focused on presenting the events as accurately as possible, avoiding any fictionalized or heightened aspects. Their aim was to present the stark reality of warfare, stripping away the typical dramatization often found in war movies. The film follows the SEALs as they take up positions in a residential building at night and experience the chaos of combat as they attempt to evacuate wounded comrades under heavy fire.
The cast underwent rigorous training for the film, including a three-week boot camp to learn military tactics, weapons handling, and specific military language. Poulter, who plays an officer leading the operation, emphasized the importance of respecting the real-life individuals they portrayed and the responsibility they felt in accurately depicting the events in Ramadi.
At its core, “Warfare” is about the humanity behind the soldiers, focusing on the emotional and physical toll of warfare. Michael Gandolfini, who plays Lieutenant Macdonald, highlighted that the film explores the human consequences of war, with the audience walking away not just feeling the pain of the events but also the deep humanity of those involved.
“Warfare” will be released globally on April 10.
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