Warfare

Warfare is a 2025 war film co-written and co-directed by Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland.

Warfare is a 2025 war film co-written and co-directed by Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland. It dramatizes a U.S. Navy SEAL mission in Ramadi, Iraq, drawing on Mendoza’s experiences during the Iraq War and presenting the action in a largely real-time style. The film was released in theaters in April 2025 and later streamed in May 2025.

Plot basis

Warfare reconstructs a dangerous 2006 U.S. Navy SEAL operation in Ramadi, Iraq, using the memories of Ray Mendoza and others involved. Sources describe it as a surveillance mission that turns into a harrowing fight for survival.

Production

The film was co-written and co-directed by Iraq War veteran Ray Mendoza and filmmaker Alex Garland. It was produced by DNA Films and distributed by A24.

Cast

The ensemble cast includes D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Will Poulter, Cosmo Jarvis, Kit Connor, Finn Bennett, Joseph Quinn, Charles Melton, Michael Gandolfini, Noah Centineo, and others.

Release and reception

Warfare premiered in 2025, with theatrical release in April and streaming availability in May. Reviews highlighted its intense, minimalist, and immersive style, with several critics noting its focus on the physical experience of combat.