Warfare

Template:Infobox film Warfare is a war film written and directed by Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland. Based on Mendoza's experiences during the Iraq War as a former U.S. Navy SEAL, the film follows in real-time a platoon of Navy SEALs on a mission through insurgent territory in 2006.<ref>Grobar, Matt (December 16, 2024). "'Warfare' Trailer: Alex Garland & Ray Mendoza Step Into Navy SEAL Team's Iraq War Experience For A24". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 16, 2024.</ref> It stars an ensemble cast that includes D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai as Mendoza alongside Will Poulter, Cosmo Jarvis, Kit Connor, Finn Bennett, Taylor John Smith, Michael Gandolfini, Adain Bradley, Noah Centineo, Evan Holtzman, Henrique Zaga, Joseph Quinn, and Charles Melton. The film was released by A24 on April 11, 2025.

Premise

Written and directed by Iraq War veteran Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland, Warfare embeds audiences with a platoon of American Navy SEALs in the home of an Iraqi family, overwatching the movement of US forces through insurgent territory. A visceral, boots-on-the-ground story of modern warfare, told like never before: in real time and based on the memory of the people who lived it.

Production

In February 2024, it was announced that A24 was developing a war film with Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland set attached, which would follow Garland's film Civil War, for which Mendoza was the military supervisor. The duo wrote the script and planned to direct the film together. At the time of the announcement, Charles Melton was in negotiations to star in the film.<ref>Kroll, Justin (February 6, 2024). "Charles Melton in Talks to Join Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland's Untitled War Film at A24". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on March 14, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.</ref> Joseph Quinn was being considered for the cast as well.<ref>Kroll, Justin (February 21, 2024). "Fantastic Four[[:Template:']]s Joseph Quinn in Talks to Join New Movie from Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland at A24". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on February 21, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024. </ref> D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai was cast in the film to portray Mendoza himself in March 2024, when the title was confirmed to be Warfare,<ref>Cordero, Rosy (March 27, 2024). "Ray Mendoza & Alex Garland's Warfare Feature Casts Reservation Dogs Star D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation.</ref> with Kit Connor, Cosmo Jarvis, Will Poulter, and Finn Bennett being added to the cast as well.<ref>Cordero, Rosy (March 28, 2024). "Kit Connor, Cosmo Jarvis, Will Poulter & Finn Bennett Round Out Lead Cast of Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland's Warfare". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on March 29, 2024. Retrieved March 28, 2024.</ref> That same month, Garland announced his intentions to step back from directing films and focus on writing, while announcing that his directional role in Warfare would be more of a supporting role to Mendoza's.<ref>Kaloi, Stephanie (March 31, 2024). "'Civil War' Director Alex Garland Says He's Done Directing for the 'Foreseeable Future'". TheWrap.</ref> In April 2024, Noah Centineo, Taylor John Smith, Adain Bradley, Michael Gandolfini, Henry Zaga, and Evan Holtzman joined the cast.<ref>Kroll, Justin (April 10, 2024). "Noah Centineo, Michael Gandolfini, Henrique Zaga, Taylor John Smith, Adain Bradley And Evan Holtzman Join Ray Mendoza And Alex Garland's 'Warfare' At A24". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 10, 2024. Retrieved April 10, 2024.</ref>

Principal photography began in May 2024 in London.<ref>Calnan, Ellie (April 15, 2024). "2024 film and high-end TV productions shooting in the UK and Ireland: latest updates". Archived from the original on 2024-04-15. Retrieved 2024-06-20.</ref>

Release

Warfare was given a 2025 release day in the United States by A24.<ref>Gearan, Hannah (December 13, 2024). "Alex Garland's Civil War Follow-Up Warfare Gets A Grim First Look In New Poster". Screen Rant. Retrieved December 14, 2024.</ref> It was set for an April 11th, 2025 nationwide theatrical release<ref>D'Alessandro, Anthony (January 21, 2025). "A24 Sets Nationwide Release For Alex Garland & Ray Mendoza's Iraq War Pic 'Warfare'". Deadline.</ref> and an April 18th, 2025 release in the United Kingdom.<ref>Toolan, Molly (April 14, 2025). "New British film named 'one of best war movies in history' is out on Friday". Express.</ref> In its opening weekend, in 2,670 theaters, Warfare grossed $8.3M,<ref>D'Alessandro, Anthony (April 13, 2025). "'Minecraft' Crows $80M Second Weekend; 'King Of Kings' Hits The Hallelujah With $19M+ Opening Record For Animated Biblical Pic – Sunday Update". Deadline.</ref> with its second weekend bringing its cumulative domestic box office total to $16.9 million, with a $20 million budget. This surpasses the $15 million milestone after only 10 days in theaters, and only the 27th film of 2025 to reach the coveted milestone.<ref>Klein, Brennan (April 19, 2025). "Alex Garland's A24 War Movie Hits Major Box Office Milestone In Just 10 Days". Screen Rant.</ref>

Trivia

• First directorial effort by Alex Garland not to be shot by cinematographer Rob Hardy.
• This is Cosmo Jarvis' first collaboration with Alex Garland since Annihilation.
• This is Cosmo Jarvis and Taylor John Smith's first collaboration since Hunter Killer.

Videos

• File:Warfare - Official Trailer HD - A24
• File:Warfare - Official Trailer - Experience It In IMAX®
• File:Warfare - Official Featurette - A24
• File:Warfare - Official Promo - A24
• File:Warfare - Official First Look - A24
• File:Warfare Exclusive Movie Clip - Under Attack (2025)

References

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