Garland’s ‘Warfare’ Misses the Mark on Iraq War Victims: The ‘Oppenheimer’ Problem

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It seems that Alex Garland’s unexpected retirement in April 2024 was short-lived, as he has returned with his signature sharp style in a new project barely a year later. The 2024 release of Civil War, which offered an unflinching portrayal of a war correspondent’s life, caused quite a stir upon its release, sparking debates and controversies worldwide among movie enthusiasts. Despite the film receiving praise for excellent performances from Cailee Spaeny, Kirsten Dunst, and Jesse Plemons, it also ignited a virtual “civil war” on social media, with many viewers criticizing Alex Garland’s perceived apolitical stance in the movie.

People who had concerns about the movie “Warfare,” a conventional war film directed by Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza (former U.S. Navy SEAL), might not be overjoyed with its sequel in 2025. Unlike “Civil War,” this movie depicts a platoon of U.S. Navy SEALs navigating a mission in Iraq, only for things to go awry, forcing them into brutal combat on unfamiliar terrain. The film is gripping and skillfully crafted, yet it faces the same problem many American war movies do – it struggles to handle sensitive historical or political issues, which Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” managed to avoid flawlessly.

What is Warfare About?

To truly appreciate why Warfare falls short of being a flawless movie, viewers should initially grasp the fundamental idea behind the film – it’s a real-time narration of an incident experienced by Ray Mendoza during his time in Iraq in 2006. The storyline is entirely derived from Mendoza and his platoon’s recollections, as they were the ones who lived through the event. This first-hand account gives the movie a raw, authentic feel that allows audiences to deeply connect with the characters as the titular warfare unfolds. Remarkably, the film skillfully creates a serene atmosphere using Mendoza’s nostalgic memories at the beginning, only to shatter it abruptly when the narrative takes a dramatic turn.

As a movie enthusiast, I’d say this film is a gripping blend of intense combat sequences and heart-wrenching moments, offering a raw tribute to warfare. Titled “Warfare,” the story unfolds in the aftermath of The Battle of Ramadi during a 2006 SEAL operation in Ramadi, Iraq. The narrative primarily focuses on a botched surveillance mission that escalates into a relentless firefight, trapping Mendoza’s platoon within an Iraqi civilian’s home.

The film masterfully portrays the camaraderie and mounting desperation among these soldiers as they face encroaching local insurgents. Initially, their mission was one of surveillance, but it swiftly transforms into a desperate bid for escape, with survival becoming the sole priority. Ray Mendoza and his SEAL team fight valiantly, their acts of desperation leading to tragic casualties among their own ranks, depleting the Iraqi insurgent force significantly, and leaving a devastated civilian area in their wake.

Despite some valid criticisms about the movie “Warfare”, several elements of it are undeniably exceptional, particularly the outstanding performances delivered by its ensemble cast. Actors like D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Cosmo Jarvis, Will Poulter, Charles Melton, and Joseph Quinn bring their characters to life in a raw and authentic way that resonates with viewers, even those unfamiliar with the atrocities portrayed. The combination of this talented cast and the pulse-pounding sound design, which promises an Oscar-worthy achievement, results in an intensely gripping viewing experience. “Warfare” manages to captivate even the most hesitant cinema-goers as Mendoza’s story merges with Garland’s masterful filmmaking techniques to offer a completely immersive war-themed journey.

Warfare Encounters “The Oppenheimer Problem”

2023’s release of Christopher Nolan’s film, Oppenheimer, garnered widespread acclaim, amassed nearly a billion dollars globally, and left audiences spellbound. However, the movie faced its fair share of criticism despite the universal admiration it received. Social media, being the platform it is, fosters an inevitable wave of negativity that eventually surfaces, which means the naysayers were bound to emerge with harsh critiques at some point. The primary issue that arose concerning Oppenheimer centered around its failure to acknowledge the Japanese victims of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings. Similarly, Warfare, like many war films, faces the same predicament but handles it in a strikingly different and arguably more questionable way.

Many fans initially hesitated to embrace Warfare, primarily due to its controversial subject matter – it’s set during the Iraq war, a conflict that many American viewers have come to see as a futile and cruel squandering of resources. However, Ray Mendoza, who served in the military during this period, shows empathy towards this widely shared perspective. Throughout the movie, Mendoza and Garland intersperse real footage of the uninvolved victims – ordinary Iraqi families – to underscore the human cost of the conflict. The film concludes with a poignant image of these families surveying their destroyed home after the U.S. troops have left.

In Warfare, the filmmakers try to use this struggling family as the last emotional anchor point by featuring them as a heartrending closing scene. However, their brief and fragile appearance feels insincere, unearned, and unsympathetic to many viewers. Critics argue that the true essence of the movie lies in their story, but unfortunately, an Iraqi perspective doesn’t offer much improvement. Showcasing these characters instead of soldiers is largely fruitless because a film like Warfare can only conclude with devastation. Portraying these characters deeply for the sole purpose of depicting inevitable suffering isn’t necessarily a compassionate approach.

The intricate balance portrayed in this movie, aptly named “Oppenheimer,” makes it a contemporary masterpiece, according to many. Although some viewers may criticize the film for neglecting the perspectives of its victims, Nolan’s deliberate omission was strategic and meticulously executed. By centering the narrative around the title character so profoundly, the movie immerses the audience in an emotional landscape that mirrors Cillian Murphy’s character’s distant yet overwhelming guilt and sorrow.

Contrary to Alex Garland’s “Civil War”, creating a film like “Warfare” will inevitably face this issue. Unlike “Civil War”, which had the luxury of being entirely fictional, allowing it to maintain an oddly non-political stance, Garland’s 2025 sequel cannot avoid political implications. The challenge with war films is that there’s no definitive solution to the “Oppenheimer” dilemma, and this is where the difficulty lies. Truffaut’s observation that “war is always the continuation of politics by other means” remains relevant.

It seems to me that violence in movies can often be misleading. Take, for instance, films that claim to be against war; however, I haven’t come across one that truly embodies this anti-war sentiment. Instead, most war movies appear to advocate for war. The act of portraying something gives it a sense of nobility or importance.

Warfare Has Been Unaffected By Controversy

In the case of some viewers, their personal views against the Iraq war may influence their perception of the movie “Warfare”. However, the majority of film enthusiasts seem to appreciate Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza’s latest production. Although the movie has been criticized for its handling of the so-called “Oppenheimer problem”, it offers many enjoyable aspects within its 96-minute runtime.

“Warfare” debuted alongside “The Amateur”, “Drop”, “The King of Kings”, and indie favorite “Sacramento”. Yet, its stiffest competition was the second weekend of “A Minecraft Movie”. Despite strong competition, “Warfare” emerged victorious, recording A24’s sixth largest opening ever with a weekend gross of $8.3 million, all on a budget of just $20 million. The film is continuing to create a stir in cinematic circles and social media, suggesting that its second-weekend earnings may be bolstered by word-of-mouth promotion and further financial growth.

IMDb Score Tomatometer Popcornmeter Letterboxd Score
7.9/10 93% 93% 3.7/5

The movie “Warfare” is receiving outstanding praise from both critics and viewers. It has been hailed as Alex Garland’s most critically acclaimed film to date, a significant achievement given his impressive resume that includes “Ex Machina,” “28 Days Later,” and “Annihilation.” Currently boasting a 93% “certified fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes from critics, and an identical score from fans, the film has been lauded for its powerful sound design and accurate portrayal of real war situations.

While Alex Garland may be contemplating retirement as a director this time around, the future of cinema looks bright with Ray Mendoza at the helm. However, there is some controversy surrounding the movie’s depiction of Iraqi homeowners. Nevertheless, there is immense potential in Ray Mendoza’s directorial career, and fans should keep an eye on his future projects to witness his growth.

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2025-04-26 06:13