Written and directed by former Navy SEAL Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland, director of Civil War (2024), the film is rooted in real-life events from the 2006 Battle of Ramadi. It captures the chaos of a surveillance operation that turned into a brutal fight for survival, all based on the memories of Mendoza and his fellow platoon members of Alpha One.
More than just a film, Warfare is a visceral experience—a gritty, intense, and emotional journey that places you right beside Mendoza and his Platoon as they face every obstacle on their harrowing mission. The film’s realism is striking. The story unfolds in real time and is drawn solely from the firsthand testimonies of those who lived it, Warfare carries a palpable sense of urgency.
Mendoza doesn’t hold back in portraying the brutality, casualties, and psychological weight of combat. Every moment is raw and unfiltered, making the viewer feel as though they are in the thick of it, breathing the dust, ducking the bullets, and feeling the tension rise with each second.
We wouldn’t be able to experience that intensity if not for the outstanding performances from the cast. Warfare stars D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai who plays Mendoza, Will Poulter, Cosmo Jarvis, Kit Connor, Finn Bennett, Joseph Quinn, and Charles Melton, with notable standouts including Woon-A-Tai, Poulter, Quinn, Jarvis, and Melton. Each actor brings depth and vulnerability to their roles, anchoring the film’s emotional weight and authenticity.
I stepped out of the cinema thinking simply—wow. This may not be a Hollywood blockbuster, but it’s no less important. Films like Warfare are essential; they tell stories that demand to be remembered. Mendoza’s motivation behind the film adds another layer of emotional resonance—he created for his injured comrade, Elliott Miller, who lost his leg during the mission and has no memory of it.
Watch the trailer here:
Simple, profound, and gripping, Warfare doesn’t just depict war—it makes you feel it. And it stays with you, long after the credits roll.
Warfare is in cinemas now.
Fangirl and Writer with a huge passion for entertainment.
