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Civil War

Civil War is a 2024 dystopian war thriller film written and directed by Alex Garland.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Civil War is a 2024 dystopian war thriller film written and directed by Alex Garland. Set in a near-future United States torn apart by civil conflict, it follows a group of journalists travelling from New York City to Washington, D.C., in an attempt to reach the president before rebel forces capture the capital.

Premise

Civil War depicts a fractured America in which secessionist forces challenge an authoritarian federal government. The story follows journalists travelling through the conflict zone toward the White House to secure an interview with the president.

Cast

The principal cast includes Kirsten Dunst as Lee Smith, Wagner Moura, Cailee Spaeny, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Sonoya Mizuno, and Nick Offerman as the president.

Release

The film was released in theatres in April 2024, with Rotten Tomatoes listing its U.S. theatrical release date as April 12, 2024 and its streaming release date as May 24, 2024.

Themes and reception

Reviews described the film as a war story focused on journalism, violence, and the collapse of civic order. Commentary from reviewers also noted its deliberate lack of detailed political exposition.

Key facts

  • The film is set during a second American civil war in a fictional near-future United States.
  • Its central characters are war journalists travelling to Washington, D.C. to interview the president.
  • Kirsten Dunst plays war photographer Lee Smith, with Wagner Moura, Cailee Spaeny, and Stephen McKinley Henderson among the main cast.
  • The film premiered theatrically on April 12, 2024 in the United States.
  • Rotten Tomatoes lists the film as R-rated for language, bloody/disturbing images, and strong violent content.
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Canadian context

The film was covered by Canadian and international audiences as a major 2024 release, but it has no specific Canada-only setting or production link in the provided sources.

Frequently asked questions

What is Civil War about?
It follows four journalists travelling across a war-torn United States to reach Washington, D.C. and interview the president before the capital falls.
Who directed Civil War?
Alex Garland wrote and directed the film.
When was Civil War released?
It was released in U.S. theatres on April 12, 2024.
Who stars in Civil War?
The main cast includes Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, Cailee Spaeny, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Sonoya Mizuno, and Nick Offerman.
What genre is Civil War?
It is described as a dystopian war thriller and drama.
What is the film’s setting?
The story is set in a near-future United States experiencing a second civil war.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_War_(film)
    Supports: Core plot, cast, director, and setting
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/civil_war_2024
    Supports: Release date, runtime, rating, genre, production companies, synopsis
  3. RogerEbert.com — https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/civil-war-movie-review-2024
    Supports: Journalist-focused premise and thematic framing
  4. The Guardian — https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/apr/14/civil-war-review-alex-garland-kirsten-dunst-wagner-moura-cailee-spaeny-stephen-mckinley-henderson-jesse-plemons-nick-offerman
    Supports: Setting, president character, thematic interpretation
  5. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt17279496/
    Supports: Release date and general synopsis