Young Actors Face Harrowing Reality in Iraq War Film ‘Warfare’

London, England — The young cast of director Alex Garland‘s film “Warfare” underwent an intense bootcamp to authentically portray a U.S. military unit during the Iraq War in 2006. The actors participated in a three-week military training program, which included learning military jargon and safety protocols, to foster camaraderie essential for the narrative they would depict on screen.

In a unique bonding exercise, the cast members shaved each other’s heads at the start of the bootcamp. “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.”

Connor, a co-star and notable figure from “Heartstopper,” portrays Tommy, a newcomer to the military team. Noting the age disparity, Connor mentioned he had just turned 21, the same age Tommy was during the deployment. “The decision to get a shared tattoo with my castmates was a no-brainer,” he stated, highlighting the significance of their bond.

The cast, which also includes names like D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai from “Reservation Dogs,” Cosmo Jarvis of “Shōgun,” Joseph Quinn from “Stranger Things,” and Charles Melton from “Riverdale,” aimed to represent their brotherhood authentically, reflecting the close-knit relationships formed amidst the adversity of war.

The film is inspired by a true military operation that unfolded in Ramadi, Iraq. “The military’s goal was to observe the area under the cover of darkness to ensure safe passage for ground forces,” Poulter explained, detailing the complexity of the mission that ultimately led to devastating consequences for the soldiers involved.

“The soldiers had to make split-second decisions amid chaos, and the presence of an innocent Iraqi family further complicated their mission,” said Garland, who aimed to capture the stark realities of combat without cinematic embellishments. Shot in real-time, “Warfare” avoids conventional scores and flashbacks, immersing viewers in an unrelenting portrayal of military conflict.

Garland’s inspiration for the film stemmed from discussions with Ray Mendoza, a Hollywood stuntman and former U.S. Navy SEAL, who served as the communications officer during the Ramadi operation. “We wanted to recreate this mission to help replace the lost memories of my colleague Elliott Miller, who was severely injured during that day,” Mendoza shared.

In a testament to the filmmaking process, Mendoza noted that the film serves a dual purpose: depicting the harsh realities of war while also aiding veterans in processing their traumatic experiences. “Some of these things are harder to explain in words, so art imagery helps communicate the truth of combat,” he explained.

The dedication to authenticity extends to the casting process, where both Garland and Mendoza sought actors willing to fully commit to the demanding role expectations. “We weren’t just looking for great actors; we wanted those who could endure physical challenges and emphasize teamwork,” Mendoza said.

Poulter commended the filmmakers for their commitment to factual storytelling, expressing hope that the film fosters understanding of the severe consequences war inflicts on individuals and families. “I think this is as much an anti-war film as you can possibly hope to see,” he asserted.

Warfare is set to hit theaters on Friday, April 18, promising an unfiltered look at modern combat that critics have already dubbed both “harrowing” and “honest.”