Warfare: An Analysis of the Devastating Effects of War

Iraq War memorial. Photo by J Correia via Flickr.

The newest addition to the world of war depictions in film is “Warfare.” The A24 film, directed by Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza, depicts a team of Navy SEALS on a surveillance mission in 2006 in Iraq. The team overtook two private homes in the area, and the mission resulted in an ambush, severely injuring multiple soldiers. The plot is based on the memories of the soldiers and citizens affected. 

However, this film was not by any means a typical, heroic war adaptation. The movie portrays a raw, graphic and traumatic view of war rather than a typical epic. There are no side plots or backstories; it is all war. From the mundane, unexciting waiting around to the scramble of planning an evacuation whilst gunfire and gut-wrenching screams from the injured soldiers echo, the viewer is given a front row seat to both the horrors faced and brotherhood amongst the soldiers. 

Garland is well known in the industry, having previously directed “Civil War,” a film released in 2024 which depicted similar themes of wartime difficulties. He faced backlash after this project due to its message of a modern-day civil war in America during a tumultuous election year. Garland responded to the film's release by saying, “What’s the consequence of not saying things? What’s the consequence of silence? Of silencing oneself or silencing other people?'”

Co-Director Mendoza was a main source of information in the film’s making as he was a SEAL present on the mission. The Hollywood military advisor felt neglected by past war movies, even feeling embarrassed by how inaccurately the soldiers were depicted. He said, “People have asked, ‘are you worried that ‘Warfare’ may trigger veterans and active-duty military?’ I think it does the opposite. It’s saying you’re not forgotten – you are seen. Oftentimes, what is more triggering is seeing what we go through not accurately represented.”

The pair agreed on a joint mission to create the most accurate war movie, taking a “detective-like” approach. Mendoza said, “We wanted to make a really honest film, so if it didn’t exist in someone’s memory, it did not go into the story. Memories were our bumpers.” 

The film has faced controversy since its release, facing claims that the film's attempt to depict the experience of American troops during the Iraq War neglected the effects of the war on Iraqi citizens. Many online have voiced how the film focuses on the struggles of the soldiers rather than the civilians affected by the war.

Attitudes within the United States toward the Iraq War’s purpose are divided. 62% of Americans consider the war to have been not worth fighting, including many veterans of the war, with evidence showing that the perceived threats of terrorism in the country were not accurate and based on lies. 

However, the plot does not stray away from addressing the impact on Iraqi civilians. While it is not a focus of the film, the families whose homes are taken over are shown frequently and are witnesses to the tragedies throughout the film. One of the concluding scenes depicts one of the civilians screaming at the soldiers as the troops are leaving the now-destroyed house, haunted by the violent memories that now live in it. The soldier, played by Will Poulter, can do nothing except profusely apologize to the woman while simultaneously leaving the warzone that their home has become. 

While not ignoring the devastating effects of the war on Iraq and civilians, the focus of the film is the experience of the American soldiers. The beginning of the film depicts the soldiers in uniform preparing for the mission by watching Eric Prydz’s music video for his song “Call On Me.” The camaraderie and friendship between the men in this scene are palpable as they gather around a computer screen, jumping and singing collectively. However, this scene is the first and last depiction of comfort during the 90-minute run time. 

In conjunction with the director’s attempt to depict war as accurately as possible, this is the only song used in the score until the credits. “There’s no score for a reason: adding music, I can lead you to believe what I want you to believe or I can make you feel what I want you to feel – sad, angry, and so on,” said Mendoza. 

This film is jam-packed with complexities, from the horrors of war for both the soldiers and civilians to the overall analysis of the Iraq War. “It isn’t meant to fit into some political box,” said Mendoza. “But if you watch this and say ‘I think war is a good thing,’ then you should reassess how you view things.”