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đŸ’„ Warfare: A Powerful Portrait with a Non-Traditional Narrative

We've got our review of Alex Garland's latest film: the gritty and harrowing Warfare, about the front line experience of soldiers in the Iraq War.

Author

Michael Ahr
March 28, 2025

Friday Edition March 28, 2025

In partnership with

What must the conversations have been like between Warfare co-directors Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza from the time after they met on the set of Garland’s 2024 film Civil War to when they decided to make this new movie together? Mendoza, as a military consultant, must have made quite an impression on Garland. “Ray and I worked together very closely on the film Civil War,” Garland said in a recent promotional video for Warfare. “Probably about halfway through, we started talking about this film that Ray wanted to make.”

It makes sense, of course, since both films deal with the brutality of armed conflict, but to hear Senior Movies Editor David Crow talk about it, Warfare is much more visceral in its depiction of violence, concentrating on raw moments rather than drama or character. Civil War speculated about what could be, but Warfare is very much about what happened to actual people during the Iraq War. In the end, some stories need to be told not for a specific narrative, but to make audiences feel the reality of a situation. It makes you wonder what Garland will do next!

— Michael Ahr, Newsletter Editor

IN THIS ISSUE

  • Our review of Alex Garland’s Warfare đŸ”«

  • An exclusive interview with the cast of The Studio đŸš—

  • Behind the scenes of Blumhouse’s The Woman in the Yard đŸ‘»

  • 
and more!

Photo: A24

MOVIES
Warfare Review: Alex Garland’s Snapshot of Iraq War Hell

Follow along with our review of Warfare, in which directors Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza deliver a gripping, real-time portrayal of a Navy SEAL mission from the Iraq War. The film immerses viewers in the tense anticipation and sudden chaos faced by soldiers, contrasting it with the mundane moments that precede intense combat. The film’s unflinching look at the harrowing realities of war will likely garner both praise and criticism for the filmmaker behind 2024’s Civil War.

But since the film draws from Mendoza's firsthand experiences as a Navy SEAL, the film is able to emphasize the confusion and unpredictability of modern combat without delving into political commentary. Instead, it focuses on the soldiers' immediate experiences to illustrate the senselessness and brutality of their wartime operations. Warfare challenges audiences to confront the stark realities of battle, stripping away cinematic glorification to present an unvarnished snapshot of Iraq War hell, for better or for worse.

Photo: Apple TV+

TV
Ike Barinholtz Did Not Care for Seth Rogen’s Driving in Apple TV+’s The Studio

Get ready for a wild ride through Hollywood's chaotic underbelly with Apple TV+'s latest comedy, The Studio. In this Den of Geek exclusive, we catch up with stars Seth Rogen, Catherine O'Hara, and Ike Barinholtz as they discuss the show's razor-sharp satire of Tinseltown. Rogen portrays Matt Remick, the freshly minted head honcho of the fictional Continental Studios, juggling the art of filmmaking with the relentless push for blockbuster hits. From greenlighting a Barbie-esque Kool-Aid Man flick to navigating the treacherous waters of studio politics, The Studio promises a front-row seat to the madness of life as a movie industry insider.

But it's not all scripted chaos — some of it got a little too real. Barinholtz shares hair-raising tales of filming high-speed driving scenes with Rogen at the wheel, confessing, "It was really, really scary." With vintage cars lacking modern safety features and Rogen's lead foot, the on-screen tension was anything but manufactured. Dive into the full Den of Geek exclusive to uncover more behind-the-scenes stories and insights from the cast.​

Photo: Universal Pictures

MOVIES
The Woman in the Yard: Inside a Blumhouse Ghost Story Shattering Every Stereotype

​During our set visit to Blumhouse's upcoming horror film The Woman in the Yard, we were enveloped in an atmosphere thick with mystery and suspense. The scene that lingered with us featured the figure above, draped entirely in black with a veiled face, standing ominously in the daylight amidst a sprawling, isolated farmhouse. This unsettling image sets the tone for a narrative that promises to delve deep into psychological terror.​

The story centers on Ramona, portrayed by Danielle Deadwyler, a mother grappling with profound grief after a tragic car accident claims her husband and leaves her seriously injured. Now, she must care for her two children in their secluded home. Their fragile existence is disrupted when a mysterious, veiled woman, played by Okwui Okpokwasili, appears uninvited in their yard. The film, directed by Jaume Collet-Serra and produced by Stephanie Allain, aims to challenge traditional horror tropes and deliver a fresh, stereotype-defying narrative. Our behind-the-scenes experience revealed the dedication of the cast and crew to crafting a story that is as emotionally resonant as it is terrifying. This one is a don’t-miss!

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EDITOR’S PICKS

WEBTOON Unscrolled’s Viral Hit is a timely hit-in-the-making that chronicles Hobin Yu’s brutal rise to stardom. (Sponsored)

From Parks and Rec to Abbott Elementary, The Office set the tone for a generation of TV mockumentaries to come.

A throwaway line in Daredevil: Born Again episode 5 sets up the next great Marvel team.

After all those pyrotechnics, is it time to pop open a bottle of Dom Perignon, James?

NEW IN HORROR: MARSHMALLOW

Be sure to check out Marshmallow, a throwback horror film in the vein of Watcher in the Woods. We have an exclusive clip on our site of this film which takes place in a secluded summer camp where a shy and introverted pre-teen is thrust into a living nightmare when a legendary campfire tale becomes real.

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