8 Reasons Reviews For A24’s New Dystopian War Movie Are So Good

The latest provocative drama from A24, Alex Garland’s Civil War, has already begun to receive high praise from some of the industry’s top critics, and has led to an uncommonly high Rotten Tomatoes score. Garland acts as both writer and director on Civil War, and the movie’s success follows a familiar pattern for the filmmaker who made his auspicious debut with the groundbreaking horror classic 28 Days Later all the way back in 2002. Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura and Cailee Spaeny headline the cast as a group of journalists traveling through the newly war-torn America.

The war epic will mark A24’s most expensive project to date, making Civil War a $50M gamble with more significant risk tied to it than A24’s typical low-budget successes. Word-of-mouth should all but eliminate any concerns about Civil War‘s profitability, as early critic reviews after the film’s debut at SXSW are almost universally positive. Despite the larger budget, critics seem to agree that Civil War holds on to most of the elite filmmaking elements that define A24 films, thanks in large part to Alex Garland’s work with the script and direction.

8
Civil War Is Genuinely Unsettling

The movie doesn’t shy away from the savagery of war.

While critics across the board are effusive in their praise of Civil War, they all make it clear that while it’s not a war movie in the traditional sense, the imagery and violence is just as difficult to watch as something like Hacksaw Ridge or Saving Private Ryan. Matt Donato of Collider noted in his review that “Garland may have just delivered one of the most vicious and unrelenting watches of the year.” The fact that the movie places the violence on American soil as opposed to a far-off desert or jungle makes it even more haunting.

7
Civil War Contains Potent Themes

It’s far deeper than a run-of-the-mill action movie.

While Civil War certainly includes plenty of action, the thematic depth of Civil War is what critics are responding to most. Matthew Jackson of the AV Club said in his review that Garland showcases, “The importance of a free press willing to do the hard work, get deep into the blood and guts, and document the reality of the moment.” While it doesn’t delve into the politics of the conflict, it makes it clear how important journalism and a free press element is to preventing the future depicted in Civil War, while also questioning journalistic ethics as a whole.

6
Civil War’s Premise Seems Frighteningly Possible

The narrative remains disturbingly close to reality.

Rocco T. Thompson of Slant summarized one of the eeriest elements of Civil War in his review, saying that, “The scariest part of writer-director Alex Garland’s Civil War is how normal it all feels.” Civil War makes sure that the America it shows is terrifyingly close to the one in which the audience lives. Critics are applauding the film for never venturing too far away from what seems possible, especially in a world where an insurrection in the nation’s capital is possible and snipers on rooftops are commonplace, not the stuff of far-off fiction.

5
Civil War Asks Questions That Spark Debate

The movie inspires necessary conversation.

Critics are in agreement that Civil War will stick with viewers long after they leave the theater, and will force them to ask questions that don’t have a comfortable answer. David Crow of Den of Geek notes that, “The picture will be debated in news columns, dismissed by talking heads on cable, and reviled by some quarters of social media.” Its powerful imagery and difficult-to-watch action will likely be controversial in some circles, which is not something that should be avoided. The conversation won’t end when the theater lights flicker back on, which is a rare feat in modern cinema.

4
Alex Garland’s Direction Is Precise and Powerful

Garland’s immersive direction consumes viewers.

Alex Garland has established himself as one of the premier filmmakers when it comes to precision direction, as evidenced by his thought-provoking and visually intoxicating films Ex Machina and Annihilation. Meagan Navarro of Bloody Disgusting stated in her review that, “Stunning compositions, breathtaking visual flourishes, and tactile details further highlight the diseased sense of beauty to Civil War.” Critics applauded Garland’s use of handheld camera work that bring a realism and dynamism to the action sequences, and make for a more immersive experience. Critics are in agreement that Garland is at his very best as a director in Civil War.

3
Civil War Balances Blockbuster Action With Intimacy

Elements of a war epic blend seamlessly with the subtleties of individual experience.

Perri Nemiroff claimed in her review that Civil War is “…an epic but deeply intimate piece,” a sentiment which was echoed by many critics. Some of the most impactful scenes in Civil War are one-on-one conversations, or interactions between small groups of individuals. Those are juxtaposed with sweeping epic war sequences and high-octane battle scenes to create something unique and powerful, especially in the current sociopolitical climate. Judging by the early reviews, Civil War is able to deftly move between character-driven scenes and large-scale action to create an engrossing narrative.

2
Civil War Is A Visual Spectacle

While the canvas might be bleak, the visuals are awe-inspiring.

As dark and unsettling as the subject is, critics agree that it’s a visual masterpiece on multiple levels. Siddhant Adlakha of Inverse eloquently summarized the sentiment that seems to be mutual among the critics who rated the film positively, calling the movie, “an upsetting sensory experience accompanied by thundering cacophonies and paralyzing scenes of war and savagery so vast, intense, and overwhelming that you can practically taste the gunpowder lingering in the air.” While Civil War‘s overarching narrative and message is heavy, the visuals at play are undoubtedly worthy of the big screen.

1
Civil War’s Cast Is Excellent

Kirsten Dunst leads a talented cast.

As engaging as the script itself is, critics agree that the cast of Civil War deserves just as much praise. Chase Hutchinson of TheWrap notes that the movie’s lead Kirsten Dunst, “has always done great work this is up there as one of her most focused performances.” Kevin L. Lee of AwardsWatch singled out the film’s youngest star Cailee Spaeny in his review, saying, “Whether it is from quiet dialogue delivery or even a hauntingly blank facial expression, Spaeny gives a performance you can’t take your eyes off of.” The talented cast helps elevate Civil War‘s already captivating story.