Alex Garland is no stranger to giving audiences a cinematic experience that makes them question themselves and their surroundings. From poignant existentialism and themes of self-destruction in annihilation to the fear of the inevitable independence of AI explored in “Ex Machina,” Garland certainly knows how to provide memorable and deep thematic experiences. “Civil War” is a film that continues to support a great running streak and manages to be one of the most effective and powerful films to come out this year.
“Civil War” depicts the story of photojournalists who travel across a broken America while capturing the violence that surrounds them. The film gives a sense of grounded reality to the fictitious events depicted by harkening images that are horrifying yet still seen in the news every day. Not only does the film do an incredible job of showing the dedication of those who go out of their way to capture current events, but it effectively shows the experience of being in the middle of a violent war that unfortunately many people today have to go through. Beyond that, “Civil War” is powerful and brutally honest in criticizing the vast number of viewers who have become desensitized to violence in the media. No matter how visceral or revealing war journalism can be, it can not truly allow us to understand what it is like to be in the midst of a war.
One of the most prevalent problems in the output of media in the past few decades is the bastardization and melodramatic depiction of wars and battles that have taken place in the past. Violence in film, art, music and even video games has become entertainment rather than an honest exploration of the dark nature of the human mind. Films like “Sicario,” “Dunkirk,” “Apocalypse Now,” “Zone of Interest” and even the film that inspired “Civil War” called “Come and See” show the visceral nature of the human mind and the disturbing numbness many have towards violence. This film continues that exploration of human nature and suggests the possibility of it becoming a reality.
Many will undoubtedly find “Civil War” difficult or disturbing to watch, and no one can blame them. The film never holds back for a minute, and always keeps the audience with the characters, experiencing the carnage surrounding them. “Civil War” is a film that all of America should go out to see, as it is relevant to current events and may even be an omen to what could happen to our country.
