Warfare is a war film written and directed by Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland. Based on Mendoza's experiences during the Iraq War as a former U.S. Navy SEAL, the film follows in real-time a platoon of Navy SEALs on a mission through insurgent territory in 2006.[1] It stars an ensemble cast that includes D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai as Mendoza alongside Will Poulter, Cosmo Jarvis, Kit Connor, Finn Bennett, Taylor John Smith, Michael Gandolfini, Adain Bradley, Noah Centineo, Evan Holtzman, Henrique Zaga, Joseph Quinn, and Charles Melton. The film was released by A24 on April 11, 2025.
Premise[]
Written and directed by Iraq War veteran Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland, Warfare embeds audiences with a platoon of American Navy SEALs in the home of an Iraqi family, overwatching the movement of US forces through insurgent territory. A visceral, boots-on-the-ground story of modern warfare, told like never before: in real time and based on the memory of the people who lived it.
Cast[]
- Joseph Quinn Sam
- Finn Bennett as John
- Will Poulter as Erik
- Cosmo Jarvis as Elliott Miller
- Kit Connor as Tommy
- Noah Centineo as Brian/Zawi
- Michael Gandolfini as USMC Lt.McDonald
- Charles Melton as Jake
- Henrique Zaga as Aaron
- Taylor John Smith as Frank
- D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai as Ray Mendoza
- Adain Bradley as USMC Sgt. Laerrus
- Alex Brockdorff as Mikey
- Evan Holtzman as Brock
- Jake Lampert as Ted
- Heider Ali as Sidar
- Joe Macaulay as Mo
- Aaron Deakins as Bob
- Aso Sherabayani as Brother (credit only)
- Laurie Duncan as Pete (credit only)
- Tom Dunne as AJ
- Nathan Altai as Farid
- Aaron Mackenzie as Kelly
- George Pavlidis
- Amira Dutton as Daughter #1
Production[]
In February 2024, it was announced that A24 was developing a war film with Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland set attached, which would follow Garland's film Civil War, for which Mendoza was the military supervisor. The duo wrote the script and planned to direct the film together. At the time of the announcement, Charles Melton was in negotiations to star in the film.[2] Joseph Quinn was being considered for the cast as well.[3] D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai was cast in the film to portray Mendoza himself in March 2024, when the title was confirmed to be Warfare,[4] with Kit Connor, Cosmo Jarvis, Will Poulter, and Finn Bennett being added to the cast as well.[5] That same month, Garland announced his intentions to step back from directing films and focus on writing, while announcing that his directional role in Warfare would be more of a supporting role to Mendoza's.[6] In April 2024, Noah Centineo, Taylor John Smith, Adain Bradley, Michael Gandolfini, Henry Zaga, and Evan Holtzman joined the cast.[7]
Principal photography began in May 2024 in London.[8]
Release[]
Warfare was given a 2025 release day in the United States by A24.[9] It was set for an April 11th, 2025 nationwide theatrical release[10] and an April 18th, 2025 release in the United Kingdom.[11] In its opening weekend, in 2,670 theaters, Warfare grossed $8.3M,[12] with its second weekend bringing its cumulative domestic box office total to $16.9 million, with a $20 million budget. This surpasses the $15 million milestone after only 10 days in theaters, and only the 27th film of 2025 to reach the coveted milestone.[13]
Trivia[]
- First directorial effort by Alex Garland not to be shot by cinematographer Rob Hardy.
- This is Cosmo Jarvis' first collaboration with Alex Garland since Annihilation.
- This is Cosmo Jarvis and Taylor John Smith's first collaboration since Hunter Killer.
Videos[]
External links[]
References[]
- ↑ Grobar, Matt (December 16, 2024). 'Warfare' Trailer: Alex Garland & Ray Mendoza Step Into Navy SEAL Team's Iraq War Experience For A24.
- ↑ Charles Melton in Talks to Join Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland's Untitled War Film at A24. Penske Media Corporation (February 6, 2024).
- ↑ Fantastic Four's Joseph Quinn in Talks to Join New Movie from Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland at A24. Penske Media Corporation (February 21, 2024).
- ↑ Ray Mendoza & Alex Garland's Warfare Feature Casts Reservation Dogs Star D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai. Penske Media Corporation (March 27, 2024).
- ↑ Kit Connor, Cosmo Jarvis, Will Poulter & Finn Bennett Round Out Lead Cast of Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland's Warfare. Penske Media Corporation (March 28, 2024).
- ↑ 'Civil War' Director Alex Garland Says He's Done Directing for the 'Foreseeable Future' (March 31, 2024).
- ↑ Noah Centineo, Michael Gandolfini, Henrique Zaga, Taylor John Smith, Adain Bradley And Evan Holtzman Join Ray Mendoza And Alex Garland's 'Warfare' At A24 (April 10, 2024).
- ↑ Calnan, Ellie (April 15, 2024). 2024 film and high-end TV productions shooting in the UK and Ireland: latest updates.
- ↑ Alex Garland's Civil War Follow-Up Warfare Gets A Grim First Look In New Poster (December 13, 2024).
- ↑ A24 Sets Nationwide Release For Alex Garland & Ray Mendoza’s Iraq War Pic ‘Warfare’ (January 21, 2025).
- ↑ New British film named 'one of best war movies in history' is out on Friday (April 14, 2025).
- ↑ ‘Minecraft’ Crows $80M Second Weekend; ‘King Of Kings’ Hits The Hallelujah With $19M+ Opening Record For Animated Biblical Pic – Sunday Update (April 13, 2025).
- ↑ Alex Garland's A24 War Movie Hits Major Box Office Milestone In Just 10 Days (April 19, 2025).