Warfare

REVIEW:

Warfare (2025) might just be the most grounded and gripping war movie I’ve seen in years—but not in the way you might expect. Co-directed by Ex Machina’s Alex Garland and former Navy SEAL Ray Mendoza, this isn’t a film chasing explosions or cinematic glory. Instead, it’s a lean, real-time look at a surveillance mission during the Iraq War that goes off-course, based on true events and memories from the very people who lived it. It doesn’t scream “blockbuster” at all, and honestly, that’s what makes it so powerful.

I’ll say this upfront: I haven’t served in the military, so I could never truly grasp what soldiers go through in combat. But Warfare serves as a sobering, eye-opening reminder of those experiences. You can sense the weight behind every decision, the fear between each line of radio chatter. There’s a quiet intensity throughout the film that’s far more impactful than any over-the-top action sequence could ever be.

The cast—Joseph Quinn, Will Poulter, Cosmo Jarvis, and Michael Gandolfini—are all brilliant in this. And yet, what’s most impressive is how un-Hollywood they feel. These actors don’t come across as performers reciting lines; they genuinely feel like a platoon. The way they walk, talk, use military jargon, and react to stress—it all feels natural, as if we’re eavesdropping on a real operation. The result is a film that feels more like a gritty documentary than a scripted drama.

Clocking in at just 1 hour and 35 minutes, Warfare is short by today’s standards, but not a second is wasted. In fact, the runtime works to its advantage. Presented in real-time, the film drags you into the tension of the mission and doesn’t let go. There’s a rawness to the pacing that had me leaning in, constantly on edge, but never overwhelmed. It’s intense without being exhausting, which is no easy feat in this genre.

Of course, when things go wrong (and they do), the consequences hit hard. There’s a particularly harrowing IED scene that really stuck with me—not because it’s gory for the sake of it, but because the injuries are disturbingly realistic. The practical effects are incredibly well done, and I found myself wincing more than once. It’s not played for shock value; it’s just matter-of-fact. And somehow, that makes it hit even harder.

What I appreciated most is that Warfare doesn’t put anyone on a pedestal. There are no “hero shots,” no rousing speeches. It treats every soldier as a human being caught in something unpredictable and terrifying. Even with a cast full of familiar faces, no one feels like a “star.” Everyone blends into the story in the best way possible—united, vulnerable, and human.

And that’s really what sets this film apart. There’s no glorification here, just a quietly powerful depiction of a mission that spiralled out of control. I walked away from it feeling both impressed by the filmmaking and reflective about the realities it portrayed. It’s not trying to wow you—it’s trying to show you. And sometimes, that’s far more impactful.

If you’re into war movies—or even if you aren’t typically but appreciate strong, grounded storytelling—Warfare is one I’d highly recommend. It’s tight, authentic, and refreshingly respectful in how it handles a very real subject. Just be prepared: it may be short, but it packs a punch.