Writer/Director Alex Garland (Ex Machina, Annihilation) branches from sci-fi to a broader, ambitious canvas in Civil War, a realistic depiction of the United States at war within itself. Certain to raise debate and controversy, this is an effective, hypothetical conflict featuring strong performances.
The United States is under civil war dividing the country while the President has vowed to defeat the resistance. Veteran photojournalist, Lee Smith (Kirsten Dunst), and a cobbled group of journalists drive cross country to reach Washington, D.C., to interview the President before opposing forces attack. A young photographer named Jessie (Cailee Spaeny) tags along, and soon, the group must navigate eerily quiet towns, burned out vehicles, and war zones where death can happen anytime. As they approach the nation’s capital, fighting intensifies and their attempt to reach the President grows untenable.
This is not a message film, but it is a story told strictly from the perspective of photojournalists. The crux of the plot shows the hardened, veteran Lee mentoring and looking after Jessie from beginning to the fateful ending. Some impressive moments include a particularly disturbing scene with a death squad and a pulse pounding, climactic battle in DC. The film may divide audiences with its frightening scenario while making no attempt to explain what causes the war nor does it take a side. Instead, it is concerned with the visceral, horrific experience of war while focusing on the journalists as they witness the last bastions of civil order. Despite minimal character development, Dunst and Spaeny are standouts.
The
film’s lack of explanation may frustrate some as it settles for a superficial, yet
harrowing journey and an ironic, though not unexpected ending. It wants to provoke serious discussion but could have been emboldened to take a more
challenging narrative.
****
of ***** stars
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