Alex Garland’s “Civil War” is his most realistic movie yet, as it showcases a fictional America and the Civil War, the cause of which remains unknown. Alex Garland is renowned for his work in “Ex Machina,” “Annihilation,” and “28 Days Later.” Each presents a narrative that mirrors the collapse of society, whether through technology or supernatural occurrences. However, unlike his other films, “Civil War” serves as a cautionary tale, amplifying the polarization and division within a nation. It could have been set in any country, and the outcome might not have differed significantly.
The film kicks off when two journalists, Lee Smith, a war photographer, and reporter Joel, decide to travel from New York to Washington D.C. to secure an interview with the President. As they embark on their journey, veteran reporter Sammy and aspiring photojournalist Jessie also join in on the adventure. Essentially, “Civil War” unfolds as a road movie, and as the miles and hours pass, they come to grasp the true extent of the war’s destruction.
Let’s explore the character of ‘Civil War’ in detail:
Lee Smith (Played by Kirsten Dunst)
Lee Smith is an experienced war journalist who has covered many wars in her lifetime, but she never thought she would cover a Civil War in her home country. At one point, she says, “Every time I survived a war zone, I thought I was sending a warning home: ‘Don’t do this.’ But here we are.” Pointing out the banality of civil war, she becomes a character who knows her job very well and even helps an amateur photojournalist, Jessie, by ultimately taking her under her wings and showing her the ropes. Kirsten Dunst’s portrayal of Lee is possibly a homage to veteran American photojournalist ‘Lee Miller’, who covered WW2 as a war photographer, and the film is also self-aware of it in a way.
Joel Martinez (Played by Wagner Moura)
Joel Martinez is a daring journalist portrayed by the charismatic Wagner Moura; he thrives on being in conflict zones. He has numerous friends and connections from both sides of the fence. Similar to Lee, Joel has covered many wars and is adept at negotiation. However, unlike Lee, this Civil War doesn’t unsettle him; instead, he experiences an adrenaline rush from proximity to the conflict.
Jessie (Played by Cailee Spaeny)
Jessie, portrayed by Cailee Spaeny, is an aspiring and naive photographer who lacks the proper protective gear to be in a conflict zone the first time we meet her. We encounter Jessie is when she covers a riot in New York, but she is hit by rioters as she ventures too close to the action. In the film, she encounters trouble due to her inexperience and carelessness. However, over the course of the film, she becomes more skilled and learns from Lee, who serves as her mentor.
Sammy (Played by Stephen McKinley Henderson)
Sammy, portrayed by seasoned actor Stephen McKinley Henderson, is an old-school journalist who refuses to retire even if it could mean a perilous mission for him. Due to his age, he could become an easy target. However, Sammy is a wise and experienced journalist who can sense danger from afar. Contrary to expectations, in a pivotal scene, Sammy rescues everyone by intervening at the right moment.
President (Played by Nick Offerman)
Nick Offerman portrays the role of the unnamed President, who is in his third term of presidency and has undemocratically disbanded the FBI. In ‘Civil War’, we don’t exactly know how or who initiated the Civil War, and truth be told, it never even attempts to explore it. Apart from a speech delivered from the Oval Office by the president in the start of the film, we occasionally catch fragments of his most recent address on the radio.
American Soldier (Played by Jesse Plemons)
Jesse Plemons portrays a psychotic soldier who, for undisclosed reasons, has killed many people and is burying them. As the journalist becomes entangled in this, their life comes under threat. When he asks the journalist, “What kind of American are you?” we glimpse into his fractured mind, painting a picture of how he contributes to the societal divide.
The Civil War has no happy ending. After all, who can expect that the theme of war can yield peace and stability? The film is not here to make any political statements; it never references any current political situations. “Civil War” serves as a reminder that war is never a path forward, placing us at the forefront of an exaggerated fictional conflict and allowing us to witness it firsthand.
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