Alex Garland has always been a captivating filmmaking whether solely as a screenwriter (“28 Days Later”, “Never Let Me Go”) or as a writer-director (“Ex Machina, “Annihilation”). His last film, “Men” was a letdown. But despite being called a “companion piece” to that previous work, the new trailer for his latest, “Civil War” looks like a possible return to form. It will all depend on where he goes with this potentially fascinating story.
Set in a near-future America, “Civil War” takes place in the United States as it sits on the precipice of a second civil war. The trailer tosses out clues to the political turmoil that has seen states succeed, new militaries form, and countrymen taking arms against fellow countrymen. The movie has a chance to speak powerfully to the bitter division that has engulfed our nation. It could also go off the rails if it becomes a political bludgeoning tool. I’m interested to see where it goes.
“Civil War” releases on April 26th, 2024 via A24. Check out the trailer below and let me know if you’ll be seeing it or taking a pass.
Keith & the Movies 
yes I saw the trailer for this yesterday, has to be done. It will be interesting to see the reactions to it. The comments under the youtube trailer were already feisty!
Oh really??? Who knows…it could end having the exact opposite effect of what it’s going for.
and then something else will come along .. 😀
For sure! 😂
I saw the trailer a day ago, and went “uh-oh.” On one hand, how could we not have a film at this point exploring the subject matter. Someone was gonna make it. That being said, daily reality is impactful enough these days for me so this is most likely a pass for me.
I can fully understand that. My hope is that it is insightful and not hyper-slanted propaganda piece.
Yeah, I want to see this. I like the ensemble they got in this as it also feels somewhat prophetic considering the state we’re in with this country. I still haven’t seen Men but I do like what Alex Garland has done so far from what I’ve seen from him.
I was so excited for “Men” but found it to very such a letdown. But I’ve liked most of his other work.
This could be pretty harrowing. I’m imagining all the interpersonal tension that Garland could mine out of this material. The line “What kind of American are you?” is straight-up chilling.
I’m both fascinated to see it and apprehensive (for the reasons you mentioned, if it becomes an overt political lecture).
Just what we need, a movie that ramps up the tensions. Who is funding the movie, do you know?
A24 is distributing it. I read where it will be the most expensive movie they’ve ever put out.
I’ve watched a lot of A24 movies and thought they were the “good guys” so lets hope the message can bring us together not tear us further apart.
Amen to that!
Pass
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The trailer doesn’t go into much detail, obviously, but the premise of Texas and California being together is laughable. And though not confirmed, like others have said, if Civil War broke out in the US, China and Russia and everyone else would be joining in like vultures. And I don’t think there is a general alive that would be willing to support a state-by-state forced subjugation of the citizens. Martial law to quell terrorist acts, sure, but not airstrikes and bombings and full-on large scale combat operations. This is pure fantasy when one looks at the real ability to keep a civil war like this ongoing from a logistical standpoint. The factories that make the parts and munitions for our war machine aren’t located in one region and we don’t stockpile enough to keep things going. And once again, once our sustainment capability was crippled the vultures would attack, unless they were kept at bay by threat of nuclear retaliation. There were so many more plausible ways to depict this. Pure political puff piece, guaranteed.
It’s really to say what it is. As I mentioned, it could go either way. The details will say a lot, but like a good trailer does, it only attempts to wet our appetite and stir our curiosity.
I will be interested in seeing how this is presented. What topic could be more timely?
I’m really curious about it. Soooo much potential here.