Those looking for a thrill and a nuanced story this week will find one in the form of one of the best modern war movies, as it is already streaming for free only two years after it was released. When you think of the best war movies, probably those who pop up first are the classics from many years ago.

Movies like Saving Private Ryan, Casablanca, and Schindler’s List are always on the list for fans of the genre, as they are not only emotional war stories, but every aspect of those films, from the immersive cinematography to the intense sound design to the complex performances of its stars, has led to generational releases that have stood the test of time.

That said, many unforgettable war movies have been released in the past couple of decades. 1917 is a visually stunning war movie told in one continuous shot. Dunkirk uses immersive sound design to put the viewer in the middle of war, whereas Warfare goes a step above to deliver one of the grittiest war experiences ever, with each shot reverberating through the viewers’ bodies.

Joining those films as one of the best modern war movies is Civil War, which was released in theaters on April 18, 2024. Civil War comes with so much talent behind and in front of the camera that new viewers should be inclined to give it a chance. Additionally, Civil War is currently streaming for free on YouTube in the United States here.

What Civil War Is About & What Critics Said At The Time

Civil War, as its title makes clear, tells the story of a version of America that has been torn in the middle by the second civil war in the United States’ history. In this dystopian war thriller, the clash comes between a government that has proven authoritarian and factions who want to separate themselves from the rest of the country and take down the rogue, third-term president that ordered air strikes on Americans. Perhaps a wild notion in real life due to the current political climate, California and Texas have formed the most powerful alliance in order to take down the mad president.

That said, instead of going all-in on the start of the war and the action itself that is going on around the country, Alex Garland’s Civil War focuses on a group of journalists putting their lives on the line as they go on a cross-country trip to interview the President of the United States before the Western Forces get to him.

Civil War currently stands at a strong 80% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 410 reviews. While the response was also mostly positive back when it was released in 2024, critics did start a debate on why the movie was vague about the political component behind the initial civil war and the fractured alliances. Many felt that the movie would have added more depth by fleshing out the ideological questions at its center. For instance, in ScreenRant’s Civil War review, Tatiana Hullender criticized how “the movie’s world-building is too ambiguous, favoring sensation over substance.”

What Makes Civil War A Great Modern War Movie

Despite a somewhat divisive premise, Civil War is an exciting addition to the war genre. The movie is incredibly well-made, with Garland as director, stunning cinematography, a shocking story, and the perfect cast. Playing the movie’s main characters, aka the group of journalists trying to get to the president, are Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, Cailee Spaeny, and Stephen McKinley Henderson. Civil War expertly uses each of those characters to explore a facet of journalism. While Dunst’s Lee Smith is mostly numb to it all after years as a war photojournalist, Spaeny’s Jessie Cullen still has a vibrant outlook on things.

As for Moura’s Joel, he is one of those seeking the adrenaline and thrill of being on the front lines, living in the danger zone. Finally, Henderson’s Sammy is the experienced mentor the others listen to. While the idea of uniting California and Texas and really stripping the movie of partisan debates proved itself a divisive aspect, I thought it was what made Civil War one of the best modern war movies. With that out of the way, this essentially becomes a psychological thriller inside the US at war with itself, and the film plays as a warning of where we could arrive.

Release Date

April 12, 2024

Runtime

109 Minutes

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