Civil War

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Directed & Written by Alex Garland. (Writer of 28 Days Later) Garland deliberately leaves the politics behind the war ambiguous, focusing instead on the harsh brutal reality of what a war-torn America would look like.

The film takes the pov of war photographer journalists as they travel across the country hoping to score an interview with the president. The perilous journey shows us how easily things can fall into chaos without the rule of law. While there is plenty of action, our leads never participate in any of it rather, they serve as spectators watching the battle unfold around them documenting every second. It's quite bizarre seeing them snapping away as people die left right and centre, like the most horrific photoshoot you'll ever see.

The film does feel distinctly American, guns and all, but it wouldn't be too difficult to imagine a similar situation here in the UK and while real ongoing battles around the world continue to bring devastation to many, it serves as a stark reminder that even here at home, war is all too possible.