The Reel Review
A U.S. Navy SEAL platoon fighting in the final days of the Iraq War’s 2006 Battle of Hamadi must think fast to save themselves when they come under heavy attack by local insurgents. Alex Garland (Civil War) directs this war drama based on former SEAL Ray Mendoza’s own real-life experiences.
Showcasing some relentlessly non-stop, pulse-pounding action and startlingly realistic battle wounds and severed body parts, Warfare is an exceptionally immersive portrait of the gruesome realities of modern-day combat. As the leader of the SEAL team, Will Poulter (We’re the Millers) is wracked with guilt and shock when an IED explodes, killing and severely wounding members of his team. The ensemble cast includes an impressively convincing Charles Melton (May December) as the other platoon’s leader, Taylor John Smith (Where the Crawdads Sing), Joseph Quinn (Gladiator II, A Quiet Place: Day One), Kit Connor (Heartstopper) and D’Pharoah Woon-A-Tai (Reservation Dogs) as communications officer Mendoza.
Warfare is not a film for the squeamish or those easily traumatized by gruesomely realistic war action. But for those curious about the intricacies of modern-day warfare, this gripping war drama will linger with you long after the credits roll.
REEL FACTS
• The Battle of Hamadi is considered one of the bloodiest battles of the Iraq War, resulting in the deaths of approximately 100 U.S., U.K. and Iraqi troops and 1100 insurgents over an eight-month period.
• Ray Mendoza dedicated Warfare to his friend and fellow former Navy SEAL Elliot Miller, who had no memory of what happened after sustaining his IED injuries.
• After completing filming, cast members Will Poulter, D’Pharoah Woon-A-Tai, Joseph Quinn, Charles Melton, Cosmo Jarvis and Kit Connor all got the matching tattoo “CALL ON ME” in reference to a scene in the film and the brotherhood they created while filming.
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