Civil War (2024)

Alex Garland, the philosophical writer of series like Ex Machina and Annihilation, continues to bring a work full of psychological weight in Civil War (2024). Premiered at SXSW Festival on March 14, 2024 and released in April of the same year, the film opens up the prospect of America being fractured, engulfed in a fictional civil war between the all-powerful central government and separatist forces from the West like California and Texas. The film follows four war correspondents: Lee (Kirsten Dunst), Joel (Wagner Moura), Sammy (Stephen McKinley Henderson) and Jessie (Cailee Spaeny). They travel from New York to Washington, D.C. with the goal of photographing and interviewing the president before the republic collapses. Along the way, they witness the devastation of war: from refugee camps, bloody battlegrounds, to haunting scenes at the White House – where Lee sacrificed himself to save Jessie, and Jessie herself captured that moment.

One of the prominent themes of the film is the apathy of journalists during war. The film does not focus on the political source, but rather exploits the effect of war photography on people. Reporters weave through chaos with minds programmed to “scoop” – a phrase that Roger Ebert commented that “the press craves as a holy land of dopamine”. Vulture also commented that the film asks the question “why don’t we feel anything” in the midst of brutal scenes, reflecting the viewer’s insensitivity to images of war.

The cinematography of Civil War is impressive, with direct angles, vivid sound and epic shots – especially the final scene at the White House, when the group of reporters arrives at the exact moment of the incident. The cast is also convincing: Kirsten Dunst brings the image of a seasoned but still introspective reporter, while Cailee Spaeny stands out with her journey from idealism to trauma. Jesse Plemons has a cameo, making a strong impression with a haunting scene. Critical response was positive: Rotten Tomatoes has an approval rating of about 81%, and the global gross reached more than $127 million - becoming A24's second successful work. Many critics consider this not only a war film, but also a warning about modern media and the callousness of tragedy.

In short, Civil War is not a political action film, but a profound film about human nature at its worst. It does not ask the question of "who is right and who is wrong", but focuses on "how we feel" when faced with violence. This is a haunting and thoughtful work – one of the must-see and discuss films of 2024.