Civil War  ★★★★

THERE is a scene about three-quarters through Alex Garland’s latest film that provides a brilliant snapshot of its theme.

Civil War is, as the title clearly states, about a United States riven by internal conflict.

Three journalists, accompanied by a young woman who wants to be a news photographer, are travelling from New York to Washington.

In this particular scene they, along with a couple of other journalists, are being interrogated in a field.

The great Jesse Plemons plays an American citizen who has taken it upon himself to become a para-military defending the heartland.

How this scene unfolds is chilling, made even moreso by the limited amount of powerful and telling dialogue involved.

Throughout the film Garland ratchets up the tension as the group seek to do their jobs while their countrymen are unravelling and turning upon each other.

The film has been roundly praised for its acting and all-round craft, resulting in some searing battle sequences, but criticised for its failure to fully flesh out the scenario that has brought America to such a state.

Garland himself has made it clear that his film is a warning to all sides and it still works perfectly and has the desired emotional impact.

Kirsten Dunst is excellent as a renowned war photojournalist, Lee Smith, whose personal journey and mental conflict is at the heart of the film.

Completing the terrific principal cast are Wagner Moura as Joel, a journalist and  film cameraman, Stephen McKinley Henderson as a veteran New York Times journalist and Cailee Spaeny as Jessie, an aspiring young photographer  seeking to walk in the same footsteps as er hero Lee.

It’s one of the best films of 2024 to date.

Watched at the cinema.