New Film ‘Warfare’ Delves Into Harsh Realities of Iraq War

LOS ANGELES, CA — The new film *Warfare*, directed by Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza, explores the harrowing experiences of a U.S. military unit during the Iraq War in 2006. The cast, comprising young actors trained in a rigorous three-week military boot camp, had to cultivate trust and rapport to authentically portray soldiers whose lives depended on one another.

Prior to filming, the actors participated in extensive military training, learning military jargon, safety protocols, and enduring physical challenges designed to push their limits. This bonding experience was emphasized through an unusual ritual: shaving each other’s heads on the first day and getting tattoos at the end of the boot camp, symbolizing their shared experience.

“We shaved our heads on day one, and got tattoos at the end of the process, so it bookended the experience,” said actor Will Poulter, who plays Captain Eric. Poulter is known for his roles in *The Bear* and *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3*. The film’s narrative focuses on the soldiers and Iraqi scouts who find themselves caught in a dangerous surveillance mission that goes awry.

Another cast member, Connor, who is known for *Heartstopper*, plays a young recruit named Tommy. “It hits home just how young these soldiers were,” he noted, highlighting that he is 21, the same age as Tommy during the war. Like Poulter, Connor participated in the shared tattoo experience with his castmates after filming, calling it a “no-brainer” to commemorate their time together.

The ensemble cast also includes notable actors such as D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai from *Reservation Dogs*, Cosmo Jarvis from *Shōgun*, Joseph Quinn from *Stranger Things*, and Charles Melton from *Riverdale*. Connor expressed, “I’ve made friends I really do believe I will know for a long time,” as he reflected on their shared journey.

*Warfare* is inspired by a real-life military operation and is informed by the experiences of U.S. soldiers involved in the mission. The film portrays the soldiers embedded with an Iraqi family in Ramadi, an area previously controlled by Al-Qaeda. Their task was to conduct surveillance under the cover of darkness, unaware that they were adjacent to an insurgent hideout, leading to a catastrophic attack.

The film is crafted to maintain a relentless pace, devoid of musical scores or flashback sequences. Audiences are immersed in the soldiers’ struggle, making split-second decisions amidst chaos and confusion. “You’re dropped into the thick of the action for the whole film,” Poulter stated.

Oscar nominee Garland, who previously directed films such as *Ex Machina* and *Annihilation*, came up with the concept for *Warfare* while working on another project with Mendoza, who served as a US Navy SEAL and communications officer during the Ramadi operation.

“I wanted to recreate this one,” Mendoza remarked concerning the inspiration behind the film, which serves a dual purpose to honor his colleague Elliott Miller, who suffered severe injuries during the mission. Miller cannot recall the events that transpired and is portrayed in the film by Jarvis. “Elliott doesn’t remember it, and when he woke up, he had a lot of questions,” Mendoza continued, highlighting the need to reconstruct the memories lost in his trauma.

Collaboratively directing and writing *Warfare*, Garland and Mendoza dedicated the film to Miller, who expressed gratitude for the representation of his experience. “It’s now a film memory, but it’s as close as he’s gonna have – he’s super grateful,” Mendoza said.

The rigorous casting process aimed to find actors willing to push their boundaries for a more genuine portrayal. Mendoza explained, “We were looking for the right actors… it’s about the team,” stressing the importance of teamwork over individual talent.

Documenting the memories of the soldiers involved was another challenge that Garland undertook meticulously. He emphasized, “I think there’s an inherent value in attempting to be honest and truthful about something as serious and significant as war.” Filming took place in a studio near London, recreating a real combat incident accurately and honestly.

The film has been praised as one of the most “harrowing – and honest – depictions of modern combat ever made” while aiming to challenge conventional narratives about warfare. Poulter remarked, “Hopefully this film contributes to a better understanding… of just how negative, and how the consequences of war are characterized by a lot of loss.” He added, “I think this is as much an anti-war film as you can possibly hope to see.”

*Warfare* is set to be released in theaters on Friday, April 18.