Warfare

War is hell, and for those who have lived to tell about their experiences, we know this through their stories. When it comes to portraying war in cinematic form, more than a few films have left a lasting impression—Apocalypse Now, Come and See, and Saving Private Ryan are some that come to mind for me. Now, Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza’s new film, Warfare, earns a place on that list.

In 2006, a group of Navy SEALs in Ramadi, Iraq are sent on a dangerous mission. They are led by Erik (Will Poulter) and take refuge in a house as they wait for the operation to begin. As time passes, the residents of the house are confined to a bedroom under guard, while things outside begin to shift. One SEAL maintains a sniper position, observing the activity in a building across the street, while others keep an eye on potential threats on surrounding rooftops.

The fragile calm is soon shattered. A grenade is thrown through a hole in the wall—created as a vantage point—and the SEALs are suddenly in the thick of a fight. They defend themselves and prepare to evacuate, with two armored vehicles awaiting them. But during the escape attempt, an explosion renders the withdrawal impossible. Forced to retreat back to the house, Erik calls for nearby SEAL teams to regroup at their location.

What follows is an intense, relentless depiction of survival. Based on memories from Mendoza and the SEALs involved, Warfare is immersive and visceral—an experience that leaves a deep impression. Garland foregoes a traditional score, allowing the raw sounds of gunfire and explosions to pierce with brutal realism. Combined with perfectly composed, visually powerful shots, the film makes the chaos of war feel immediate and tangible.

For 95 minutes, you’re in it. This isn’t a non-stop barrage of action—much of it is waiting, holding positions, scanning for threats. It captures the anxiety and monotony of a soldier’s life just as much as the intensity of combat.

Warfare offers a raw, unfiltered insight into the reality of war like few films ever have. It’s intimate and immersive. While the narrative may be simple, the experience is anything but. Its pulse-pounding realism may overwhelm some, but that’s the point—it’s meant to be felt. The stellar ensemble cast—Poulter, Cosmo Jarvis, Michael Gandolfini, Charles Melton, and D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai—all bring authenticity to the screen. They embody well-trained soldiers facing real life-or-death stakes. No single actor steals the spotlight; instead, they function as a cohesive unit, just as their characters would in combat.

Warfare strips away the politics and even the mission details, placing you in the boots of these men whose sole focus is survival. War truly is hell—and as history continues to show, humanity keeps finding excuses to ignite it. Perhaps the most powerful way to depict its horror is to ditch the metaphors, skip the sentimentality, and simply drop us in the middle of it—exactly what Warfare does, and does so masterfully.