Director and writer Alex Garland's films and television series are known for stunning, tranquil visuals that somehow exist amid chaos, keeping you on the edge of your seat. His features showcase gorgeous artwork—whether holographic designs or scenic nature—and then: boom.

Are you a fan of Alex Garland? He is not a newcomer to Hollywood. He is a phenomenal writer with a gift for technical detail, including the masterpiece zombie horror film 28 Days Later (with Danny Boyle) and the revival of the Dredd film (is there a plan for a sequel?). His directorial debut, Ex Machina, received praise for its depiction of AI and its exploration of a not-too-distant future of technology-driven isolation and the erosion of human connection. This feature successfully launched his directing career.

My favorite film of his so far is Annihilation. He created such an immersive world with a dreamlike atmosphere—the ending was bizarrely calming and terrifying simultaneously. The female-dominated cast delivered memorable performances with rich characters that indirectly foreshadowed Dunst's role in Civil War (a strong female figure with a scarred background). The scene where Natalie Portman starts shooting her semi-automatic rifle to kill the mutagenic creature was both revealing for her character's story arc and utterly unforgettable. His ambitious FX series Devs didn't disappoint either—it was thought-provoking and visually stunning. Garland is a brilliant thinker, as evidenced by his interview with Lawrence Krauss on The Origins podcast. That series made me contemplate mortality deeply. After hearing his perspectives on existence and AI technology, I instantly became a devoted fan.

Civil War features gorgeous cinematography. Still shots from this film could easily be framed and hung on walls. If you enjoyed the character development and adventure aspects of Children of Men, you will appreciate this movie. Unlike Children of Men, however, this film is bone-chillingly contemporary and disturbingly relevant to what is actually happening in the United States—a nation overflowing with hatred, divided by politics and propaganda. You will almost wish this movie portrayed far-fetched current events, yet it cuts too close to the truth.

Delving into the plot: the United States, once the world's most powerful country, is going through a devastating crisis as it struggles to restore political unity within its own borders. Does history repeat itself? Maybe. Not quite. Garland does not explain in detail how or why the United States—once divided over slavery—has split again and descended into civil war. He simply presents the reality and lets us grapple with it.

Rob Hardy is the cinematographer of this film, having collaborated with Garland on Ex Machina, Annihilation, and Devs. His visionary lens creates countless eye-catching scenes that complement Garland's meticulous and delicate writing. I am particularly drawn to Garland's approach—he avoids unnecessary exposition or self-explanatory dialogue. He simply shows us what is happening on screen, and we are left to piece it together.

Garland's script gives room for the actors to expand their emotional range, whether through subtle gestures or explosive moments. Kirsten Dunst is perfectly cast as Lee Smith, a seasoned and "damaged goods" veteran war photojournalist. Smith recalls real-life war journalist Marie Colvin (memorably portrayed by Rosamund Pike in A Private War by documentary filmmaker Matthew Heineman). Smith does not talk much or express much emotion, and as the film progresses, it becomes clear she is traumatized by witnessing brutality and inhumanity in war zones. Dunst's performance exemplifies "less is more." I could feel her pain and her desperate desire to protect Spaeny's character from the taint of human cruelty and warfare. Dunst and Spaeny share wonderful on-screen chemistry—Cailee Spaeny portrays Jessie Cullen, a curious and aspiring photojournalist who reflects Smith's younger self, complete with ambition and innocence.

I first saw Spaeny in Garland's gorgeous yet puzzling sci-fi thriller series Devs on FX (I couldn't quite wrap my head around the particle-time travel aspects). She was memorable as a tomboyish programmer prodigy. In Civil War, she portrays the more complex Cullen, a character with a veiled past. What does the ring on her finger indicate—was she married? What happened to her fiancé or husband? What drove her to pursue journalism during such turbulent times? Spaeny's performance is award-worthy. As the film progresses, her innocence becomes tainted as she witnesses the unfiltered reality of tyrannical government. Her performance is deeply engaging, and her inner conflict is palpable. I am looking forward to seeing Spaeny become one of cinema's prominent stars.

This film is a homage to Apocalypse Now—nationalism portrayed at an almost caricature level, yet convincingly and scarily close to current events. Civil War gave me goosebumps because real life is not far from these possibilities. I do not think it is a coincidence the film was released in 2024, a presidential election year. It is frightening to see polls suggesting the gap between Biden and Trump supporters narrowing. Again, I believe it is no accident this film arrived during an election year (remember the release of Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11?).

To close, I recommend everyone watch this film. It is perfect for both escapism and a sobering realization about our fractured world.