Summary
A powerful war epic written and directed by Alex Garland,Civil Warreceived some backlash for its execution. In Garland’s other fare, science-fiction elements take center stage, creating off-beat and somewhat-surreal atmospheres. That approach was true not just of the filmmaker’s feature-length projects likeEx MachinaandAnnihilation, but the TV seriesDevsas well. Instead of focusing on world-building, however,Garland’sCivil Waris an accurate portrait of war photographersat large.The job’s complexities, thrills, and moral quandaries are put on full display thanks to Kirsten Dunst’s Lee Smith, a renowned photojournalist.
It’s never made entirely clearwhat causedCivil War’s titular conflict. Viewers are told that the federal government, led by a third-term president (Nick Offerman), has taken up arms against secessionist movements. In particular, theCivil War’s Western Forces (WF) allianceplans to invade Washington, D.C. and kill the president. As Lee and her colleagues, journalists Joel (Wagner Moura) and Sammy (Stephen McKinley Henderson), are headed for the belly of the beast, she also becomes a mentor to newcomer Jessie (Cailee Spaeny).This all makesCivil Wara rather intense road-trip movie with many filming locations.
Alex Garland’s Civil War Shot On-Location In Atlanta, Georgia
Alonzo Herndon Stadium & Emory University’s Briarcliff Campus Make Notable Appearances In Civil War
AlthoughCivil Waropens in a war-torn version of New York City, production began in Atlanta, Georgia when principal photography commenced in March 2022. Over the last two decades,Atlanta has become one of the United States' go-to filming locations, namely due to lower costs. Tasked with serving as a stand-in for several Mid-Atlantic states, Georgia’s lack of mountains and surplus of pines may be jarring. Viewers may even recognize some of the Atlanta filming locations, including Big Bethel A.M.E Church, which serves as the backdrop to thecontroversy inCivil War’s opening scene.
…one ofCivil War’s most intense gunfight sequences unfolds at Emory University’s Briarcliff Campus.
While someCivil Warfilming took place at Areu Bros. Studios in Atlanta, other key moments were lensed on-location. For example, the chilling scene in which Lee, Jessie, Sammy, and Joel pull over at a gas station was shot on Cedar Grove Road in Fairburn, Georgia, though it was probably meant to be located in New Jersey. Later,a refugee camp is housed in Atlanta’s Alonzo Herndon Stadium, and one ofCivil War’s most intense gunfight sequencesunfolds at Emory University’s Briarcliff Campus. Given Atlanta’s variety of locations,Civil Warstill captures the always-moving road-trip feel.
Civil War’s Sniper Scene Explained & What It Reveals About The War
Civil War’s sniper scene is one of its most intense moments, and its haunting ambiguity contains all the clues to figure out the war itself.
Civil War’s Production Eventually Moved To London, England
A24’s Most Expensive Film Ever Headed Overseas
Despite being about an American conflict,A24’s blockbusterCivil Warmoved production to London, England by May 2024.With a production budget of $50 million — A24’s most expensive film ever —Civil Warpulled out all the stops.Since the film’s post-production needs were handled largely by Framestore, and overseen by VFX supervisor and frequent Garland collaborator David Simpson, the move to the United Kingdom made sense. As Lee and her colleagues near Washington, D.C., the film approachesCivil War’s intense ending sequence, which definitely required a lot of convincing visual effects.
Alex Garland’s Civil War Follow-Up Is Even More Promising Thanks To 1 Major Difference
Alex Garland’s next movie after Civil War has one key difference that will force it to address the biggest complaints about his A24 action epic.
Civil War’s White House Ending Scene Was Filmed Across Multiple Locations
The Film’s Climactic Conclusion Took A Lot Of Planning
While Atlanta, Georgia was able to fill in for other locations,Garland and his creative team had to problem-solveCivil War’s intense ending, which sees the Western Forces mounting a full-scale invasion of Washington, D.C.to capture and kill the president. From the first few explosion-filled aerial shots all the way through toCivil War’s final shot, the sequence required tons of planning and collaboration between the film’s cinematographer, Rob Hardy, and production designer, Caty Maxey.Civil Waralso relied on military supervisors and stunt coordinators for the 15-minute siege’s choreography.
…the explosions that ripple through the Lincoln Memorial were added in post-production.
After several round-table discussions, Garland, Hardy, and Maxey mapped out their plan on a 20-foot 3-D model, creating a visual example of how each part of the siege on the White House would be shot. Although the explosions that ripple through the Lincoln Memorial were added in post-production, the movie does use actual footage of Washington, D.C. to create a more realistic series of shots. Ultimately,Maxey had to build a convincing Pennsylvania Avenue in Georgia’s Stone Mountain Parkin order to helpCivil War’s siege sequence come to life.
As of June 2024,Civil Waris available to rent or purchase through various video-on-demand (VOD) platforms.
Civil War
Civil War is a 2024 action thriller from writer and director Alex Garland. Starring Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, and Stephen McKinley Henderson, Civil War takes place in the near future and shows the United States entering a new Civil War after California and Texas attempt to separate from the country.
