Filmmaker Alex Garland aims for “Civil War” to spark dialogue, a tense thriller depicting journalists navigating societal collapse in a conflict-ridden United States. The film, set in the near future, follows fictional Reuters photographer Lee (Kirsten Dunst) and reporter Joel (Wagner Moura) as they journey to Washington, D.C., aiming to reach it before a rebel faction takes control.
Accompanying them are aspiring young photographer Jessie (Cailee Spaeny) and veteran reporter Sammy (Stephen McKinley Henderson), much to Lee’s dismay, making the trip from New York fraught with obstacles.
“It is an anti-war movie, but it’s really got two other focuses,” Garland said at the film’s London premiere. “It’s a story about journalists and why we need them and what they do. But it’s also asking a question, which is why is good journalism not getting the traction? What’s gone wrong? And then a very similar question about sort of polarized populist politics, extremist politics.”
Dunst, taking on the role of Lee, a photojournalist weary from covering war zones, found the character a refreshing change. “I feel like I haven’t played a role like this. And it’s nice to have a woman who has this job as a photojournalist be the lead of an action movie about war,” she said.
Garland, known for “Ex Machina” and “28 Days Later,” began writing “Civil War” in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic and the lead-up to the U.S. presidential election. Writing helped him address his anxieties and explore pressing questions.
“I see it as being a film which is trying to have a conversation,” he said. “This is really an audience movie,” added Dunst. “It’s not telling you what to think. It’s not giving you sides. It’s really about you, which I think is unique.”
“Civil War” will begin its global cinematic release on April 10.
