Entertainment Blog #242 | Civil War[2024] - Civil War in the USA !!!

Civil War means a war between citizens of the same country. So in that way, Sri Lanka had a civil war for about 25 years. So we have some level of understanding about the effect of a civil war even though even though it was beyond civil war because LTTE are terrorists. Anyway, that's about our country. Let's shift to the USA.

Civil War is a 2024 dystopian thriller film written and directed by Alex Garland. The movie features a star-studded cast including Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, Cailee Spaeny, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Sonoya Mizuno, and Nick Offerman. Civil War was theatrically released in the United States by A24 and in the United Kingdom by Entertainment Film Distributors on April 12, 2024. With a budget of $50 million, it is A24's most expensive film to date and has grossed over $112 million worldwide, becoming the 2nd most grossed movie for A24.

The story takes place in a dystopian world where the USA is at a civil war. The USA has been divided into 4 states, namely Loyalist states (United States), Western Forces, the Florida Alliance, and, New People's Army. So the people are killing each other. There's a president too but the thing is he was elected as the president for the 3rd time, which is against the law of the USA. And he caused this Civil War.

In the interim, in New York City, there's a well known journalist, Lee Smith, capturing the scenes at a fight. And there, she meets this amateur photographer, Jessie. She was saved by Lee at a Suicide Bombing attempt.

Lee Smith and Joel who is a Collogue of Lee were talking about going to Charlottesville to get a statement from the president. Both Lee and Joel works for New York Times. Even though there was some crossfire, Lee's mentor, Sammy arranged everything to go on the journey.

In the interim, while Jessie comes to the hotel where Lee is staying and after thanking her saving her life, she meets Joel and make him join the crew to go to Charlottesville. Lee did liked this at first because she is young and the journey to Charlottesville is not that easy.

When the journey goes, many obstacles are faced by them. Some lives have to be sacrificed. In the interim, Lee understands how talented Jessie is. But she is arrogant. Will her arrogance cost the lives of others? What will happen to the Civil War? It's up to you to find out.

Civil War differentiates from other dystopian thrillers by portraying the current American civil conflict in a gritty, hyper-realistic manner, with an intense focus on the human experiences and moral challenges that journalists face in war zones. Unlike many dystopian films, which emphasize futuristic or fantastical elements, Alex Garland's film is based on current political conflicts and societal fractures, making its premise seem strangely probable. The film's use of handheld camera footage and intense, up-close action sequences adds to the raw and exciting experience, highlighting the chaos and unpredictability of war. Furthermore, the film's emphasis on the personal transformations of its characters, particularly the journey of young aspiring photojournalist Jessie Cullen, adds a level of emotional depth and moral complexity that is uncommon in the genre.

Critics praised Civil War for its intense, accurate representation of a modern American conflict and the strong performances of its cast, particularly Kirsten Dunst. The film's Rotten Tomatoes critical response describes it as a "gorgeously shot cautionary tale full of big ideas," though its unsettling nature may not appeal to all viewers. The film has received an 81% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metacritic score of 75 out of 100 for its gripping depiction of a crisis-torn nation and the ethical quandaries that journalists face in war zones. Some critics, however, warned that the film's heavy themes and dark perspective would lead to controversy and disappointment.

Civil War grossed $67.3 million in the United States and Canada, and $45.1 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $112.3 million, making it one of A24's highest-grossing films. Despite its substantial budget of $50 million, the film's financial success underscores its broad appeal and the effective marketing strategy by A24. Civil War stands out not only for its impressive box office performance but also for its critical acclaim, intense and realistic depiction of conflict, and the compelling performances of its cast. Alex Garland's direction has crafted a thought-provoking dystopian thriller that resonates with audiences, solidifying the film's place as a significant entry in the genre.