A new dystopian war movie titled Civil War, directed by Alex Garland, has made its digital debut before its release on Max later this year. The film is set in a future U.S. where a team of military-embedded journalists races to reach Washington, D.C., before rebel factions attack the White House. The cast includes Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, Cailee Spaeny, Stephen McKinley Henderson, and Nick Offerman.
In the first trailer for Civil War, it is announced that 19 states have seceded and uprisings are occurring across the country. Lee, a veteran war photographer, and her team aim to document these events on video. Dunst, who plays Lee, has mentioned that the movie is open to interpretation, allowing the audience to form their own opinions about what they are watching.
Garland, the director and writer of Civil War, explained that he was selective in what was presented in the film based on what the journalists were experiencing. He mentioned that the political world-building in the film may be less ambiguous than it appears at first glance. Despite being the most expensive film for A24 at $55 million, Civil War grossed over $112 million worldwide, becoming the studio’s second-biggest release after Everything Everywhere All At Once.
Some critics have expressed concerns about the lack of real-world politics in Civil War, feeling that it downplays the particular ideologies that could make the conflict in the film seem more relevant to the present day. However, viewers are encouraged to form their own opinions about the movie by watching it at home. Civil War is currently available on video-on-demand sites such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango At Home for purchase or rental.
While Civil War will eventually make its way to Max, the release date has not yet been announced. A24 signed a deal with Warner Bros. Discovery in December 2023 to bring its theatrical films to the streaming platform this year. Based on the timeline of previous A24 films, it is likely that Civil War could be available on Max as early as August 2024. Audience members are encouraged to stay tuned for more information on when the film will be released on the streaming site.
