A new politically charged thriller, Civil war is an upcoming film that has been generating controversy since its premiere at South by Southwest in March 2024.
From writer and director Alex Garland, known for 28 days later It is Never let Me Gocomes another look at dystopia – this time set amid the chaos and conflict of a second American Civil War.
Kirsten Dunst plays Lee, a photojournalist who traverses the war-torn country from which California and Texas have separated and united to form the “Western Forces” in an attempt to overthrow the established government. By documenting the inhumane horrors of American infighting and the reality of citizens becoming refugees in their own country, she seeks to tell the truth, a mission that seems inexplicably controversial even amid the divisive state of real-life U.S. politics. .
While it’s no wonder that such a film would spark some kind of controversy, Garland promised to follow through Civil warat the SXSW screening that his story is “intended to be a conversation.”
“It’s not asserting things — I mean, I think it’s asserting some things,” he clarified. “But it’s a conversation, and that means it’s not a lecture.”
The English director also said that, above all, his film is “a kind of love letter to journalism and its importance”.
“There are two types of filmmakers. There are filmmakers who, in a strange way, make films about the films they love, which is a perfectly good thing to do. And there are others who are in some way reacting to the world around them. “, Garland explained. “And I’m in the second category. And so is it connected to the world? Yes, it’s connected to the world. This is more than just this country. Some of the things that are being discussed in Civil war exist globally. They are not distinct from America. They may be contained here, but they are not just here.”
Here’s everything we know so far about the upcoming film.
THE CAST
Kirsten Dunst
In perhaps her bravest role, Dunst plays Lee, a renowned photojournalist who tries to cross the embattled country to reach the Capitol.
“When I read the script, I thought: I’ve never done anything like this,” said the actress about the film in an interview with Maria Clara. “I think it’s a cautionary tale. A fable about what happens when people don’t communicate and stop seeing each other as human beings.”
Wagner Moura
The Brazilian actor and filmmaker plays Joel, Lee’s colleague and fellow journalist who joins her on her mission.
Cailee Spaeny
O Priscilla The star plays Jessie, a young aspiring photographer who is saved by Lee during a deadly rampage and ends up accompanying Lee and Joel on their journey.
Stephen McKinley Henderson
Known for stealing scenes from supporting roles in films such as Bird Lady It is Beau is scaredHenderson plays Sammy, a fellow journalist who has mentored Lee and Joel throughout their careers.
Nick Offerman
A stark contrast to his anarchism and hatred of government Parks and recreation character, Ron Swanson, Offerman stars as a power-hungry POTUS, who has somehow skirted the rules to preside over the war-torn country for a third term.
Other cast
Civil war also stars Sonoya Mizuno as Anya, Jefferson White as Dave, Juani Feliz as Joy Butler, Nelson Lee as Tony, Edmund Donovan as Eddie, Karl Glusman as an observer, Jin Ha as a shooter, Jojo T. Gibbs as a White House sergeant, and Jesse Plemons and Jess Matney as soldiers.
THE TRAILERS
THE CONTROVERSY
Although it is undeniably a political film, Civil war does its best to mask any partisan bias. Garland avoids detailing exactly how the nation split in two, and the California-Texas-Florida alliance leaves the door open for any blue state versus red state message.
“The film is not partisan in any way. It’s not, it’s not about left or right,” Dunst explained at SXSW. “That’s the complete opposite message of this movie. It’s really about humanity and what a civil war does to a country and its horrors. So it’s more of a warning than anything else. And I feel like it shakes you because it’s very intense, it feels very real to film. And I think that’s why it’s affecting everyone so much.
“I guess what I would say is that democracy is an important thing,” Moura agreed. “You know, not only voting is an important thing, but supporting institutions – we can criticize them, we can work to make them better institutions, but the wave of discredit in democratic institutions is a very dangerous thing.”
As for Garland, he remains steadfast in his message that the film is not a “lecture” but a commentary meant to provoke thought and conversation about the state of American and global politics.
“I hope to always leave space for people to think and have their own opinion,” he noted. “I’m not particularly interested in trying to assert my opinion, but I am interested in asking questions and participating in a conversation.”
Civil war will be in theaters on April 12th.
RELATED CONTENT: