Last year Director Alex Garland gave us an emotional and intense film that dropped us in the middle of conflict. Civil War, which dropped in April 2024, was a heck of a ride. It hard a lot of big ideas, but it was the realistic combat situations that left some of the biggest impressions. That ended up being one of my favorite films of the year.

A year later, he’s back with another intense drama, this one grounded by real events and a real-time feel.

Warfare, which opened Friday, takes the action back to Iraq in 2006, the midst of war. We follow a platoon of Navy Seals who are occupying a house in the middle of a crowded city. Over the course of 90 minutes, we watch as things go wrong and they have to fight their way out of the city, caring for their wounded along the way.

This film comes from Garland, who co-wrote and co-directed it with Ray Mendoza. Mendoza was a Navy Seal, and this film is based on his real experiences. That gives it a level of authenticity that you feel throughout the production. That includes some of the most intense gun fight sequences I’ve seen.

The film features a strong cast. Will Poulter, Charles Melton, Cosmo Jarvis, Joseph Quinn, and Michael Gandolfini are among the actors in the film. All do a nice job in their roles. The closing sequence shows that many of those who were part of the real events participated in helping train the actors and adding authenticity to the sequences. That works well to help it feel ground and to feel like these actors are disappearing in the roles.

The film is incredible and incredibly tense. Everything feels realistic and, at times, chaotic. It’s a visceral experience that will rock you to your core in the most satisfying way. It’s unlike anything I’ve seen and it’s one of the best movies of the year so far. It’s also a deeply emotional ride that plays out incredibly on the big screen.

Warfare is now playing in theaters nationwide.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.