What the realism of "Warfare" obscures
The central value proposition of 'Warfare,' the new Iraq war film co-written and co-directed by ex-Navy SEAL Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland, is realism. On a technical level, it hits the mark. As a story about the U.S. war in Iraq, it obscures and sanitizes the conflict it seeks to depict.
'Warfare' is based on a real mission that Mendoza himself participated in, and is constructed from his memories and those of other participants'. In a taut 95 minutes, Mendoza and Garland aim to re-create how a Navy SEAL team conducting a sniper overwatch mission in Iraq, in 2006, was discovered and attacked by insurgent fighters, and the SEAL team's subsequent struggle to make it out alive.
Mendoza has described his approach to the story as 'investigative, forensic' and said the threshold for including material was 'if it didn't happen on that day, it wasn't going to be in the film.' A lot of the movie depicts moments of life in combat with a naturalism that is rarely seen on the silver screen. As the SEAL platoon breaks into an Iraqi civilian home and turns it into a makeshift surveillance center, the viewer is immersed in constant, detailed communications about location and the tedious minutiae of intelligence sharing which may or may not be significant. We witness the enervating focus required to monitor city streets with a sniper scope for hours, and mundane banter as a SEAL complains about having lost a shirt. There is a sense of being embedded in there alongside the SEAL team in real time, and the buzz around the movie is about how 'scrupulously realistic' it is.
But this movie is not a documentary, nor is it shot like one.
This movie is driven by spectacle — specifically, awesome displays of American power and precision. The training and movement of the SEALS, the sophisticated weapons at their command, the way aircraft are deployed in 'show of force' maneuvers to deter insurgents are central to the entertainment. The film's sometimes-deafening soundscape is a distinct character unto itself, and is designed to immerse the audience in an atmosphere of omnipresent threats and the U.S. military's earth-shattering strength.
'Warfare' is also a horror film. When the humdrum nature of the surveillance mission is interrupted by the SEALs' growing anxiety that they've been 'peeped' by insurgents, the movie shifts gears. The professional commands are quickly overlaid with nervousness, and the film exhibits the camera work, suspenseful pacing, focus on bodies and shocking scares of a horror film. These are deftly handled, exhibiting the seasoned hand of Garland, who has made dark, kinetic thrillers like '28 Days Later' and 'Ex Machina.'
In other words, 'Warfare' is not just about what happened to that SEAL platoon that day, but how they felt: The isolation, the fear, the terror. Mendoza has described the making of the film as 'therapeutic' as veterans are rarely afforded the opportunity to discuss 'the emotional components' of what they endure. The end of the film thanks members of the team for 'always answering the call' and shows many of their real life counterparts.
The focus in 'Warfare' on the thrill of superior firepower and the framing of U.S. service members as the primary victims of the Iraq war ultimately means we are not in ground-breaking territory. The two buzziest and most influential American films about the conflict, 'The Hurt Locker' and 'American Sniper,' are analogous films in these respects. 'The Hurt Locker' is about an exceptionally skilled and daring leader of a bomb technician squad who becomes consumed by the fight and struggles to adapt to civilian life. 'American Sniper' is about a gifted and self-effacing sniper who is traumatized by the war and also struggles to return to civilian life.
The U.S. service members who were traumatized, hurt or killed in a dishonorable war that was waged based on lies deserve our sympathy and support. But let's see the forest for the trees. All three films commit the same perverse inversion of moral common sense. They depict the U.S. invasion and occupation as a precise, restrained operation run by near-perfect warriors with a high regard for civilian life, when it was not. Civilians were tortured and hundreds of thousands were killed through brutal cluster munitions, lax rules of engagement, trigger happy defense contractors, poor intelligence during massive air strikes and a general breakdown of Iraqi society and economy.
And even as these movies invite sympathy and admiration for American troops, they treat most or all Iraqis as faceless, spooky villains or two-dimensional props. In 'Warfare,' Iraqi civilians are given scarce screen time and mostly ignored, and the Iraqi soldiers who work with the Americans are depicted as reluctant fighters and cowards. There is no explanation of why there is an insurgency, although the ending of the film hints that the insurgents are unbeatable and that the war is futile.
Imagine, for example, watching a movie about Russian soldiers embedded in a hostile Ukrainian town that focuses on the perspective and plight of the Russian invaders and depicts the Ukrainians as monsters and bystanders. Now imagine watching one movie after another about it. That's how Hollywood almost invariably seems to approach the Iraq war. 'Warfare' may be a mostly accurate account within the aperture of the lens that it applies to the war. But its action sequences don't change the true horror story of what happened — a war of aggression based on a false pretext that killed hundreds of thousands of Iraqis and ruined the lives of millions more.
The choice to name the film 'Warfare' underscores the conceit that this movie seeks to capture something essential about warfare with its extraordinary attention to detail. It is also apropos that a movie with such a title narrows the audience's moral universe while training the audience's eyes on a spectacular display of force. This is how terrible wars are rationalized. If we want to overcome this sickness, we ought to think more about who is being shot at, and why.
This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
38 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Brian Wilson's Beach Boys Bandmates Break Silence on His Death as Daughter Carnie Says 'Miss You So Much Already'
The Beach Boys shared a heartbreaking tribute to Brian Wilson following his death In the post, they praised Wilson as "a genius" who was "the soul of our sound" Wilson's family announced his death at the age of 82 on Wednesday, June 11The Beach Boys are honoring their late co-founder and singer. After Brian's family announced on Wednesday, June 11 that he had died at the age of 82, the official Instagram account for The Beach Boys shared a sweet post honoring the late musician. "The world mourns a genius today, and we grieve for the loss of our cousin, our friend, and our partner in a great musical adventure," the band began the caption, sharing a vintage photo of Brian alongside it. "Brian Wilson wasn't just the heart of The Beach Boys—he was the soul of our sound." They continued: "The melodies he dreamed up and the emotions he poured into every note changed the course of music forever. His unparalleled talent and unique spirit created the soundtrack of so many lives around the globe, including our own." "Together, we gave the world the American dream of optimism, joy, and a sense of freedom—music that made people feel good, made them believe in summer and endless possibilities," the "God Only Knows" group Beach Boys then noted that they are "heartbroken" by Brian's death. "We will continue to cherish the timeless music we made together and the joy he brought to millions over the decades," they wrote. "And while we will miss him deeply, his legacy will live on through his songs and in our memories. Our hearts go out to Brian's family and his loved ones during this difficult time." View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Beach Boys (@thebeachboys) While the band's lead singer Mike Love has yet to post a statement of his own, he did share The Beach Boys' Instagram post on his Stories. The Beach Boys co-founder and rhythm guitarist Al Jardine also paid tribute to Brian on Instagram June 11. "Brian Wilson, my friend, my classmate, my football teammate, my Beach Boy bandmate and my brother in spirit, I will always feel blessed that you were in our lives for as long as you were," he wrote, sharing a photo of him and Brian together in plaid shirts. "I think the most comforting thought right now is that you are reunited with Carl and Dennis, singing those beautiful harmonies again," Jardine, 82, wrote, referring to late bandmates Carl Wilson and Dennis Wilson. "You were a humble giant who always made me laugh and we will celebrate your music forever. Brian, I'll really miss you…still I have the warmth of the sun ☀️🎶❤️" View this post on Instagram A post shared by Al Jardine (@aljardine409) John Stamos, who has often toured with The Beach Boys and has been performing with the band on their 2025 Sounds of Summer tour, also shared a heartfelt Instagram tribute on June 11. "Brian Wilson didn't just soundtrack my life…he filled it with color, with wonder, with some of the most unforgettable, emotional, joyful moments I've ever known," the Full House alum, 61, began. "It's hard to put into words what it meant to stand beside him, laugh with him, play his music with him." Stamos, who shared a photo of him with Brian, noted that the late musician was more than a "musical genius, he was a gentle, soulful, funny, complex, beautiful man." "He heard things no one else could hear. He felt things deeper than most of us ever will. And somehow, he turned all of that into music that wrapped itself around the world and made us all feel less alone," he wrote. Stamos continued: "I grew up worshipping the Beach Boys, never imagining one day I'd get to play with them, let alone call Brian a friend. Brian gave the world Pet Sounds, God Only Knows, and Wouldn't It Be Nice. Songs that didn't just play in the background of our lives, they shaped who we were. They shaped who I became." Stamos also wrote that his "heart" is with Brian's family members. "Brian once said, 'Music is God's voice.' I believe he was right, and now that voice, his voice, is part of the divine chorus. The music didn't end. Rest easy, Brian. Thank you for the music. Thank you for the moments. I'll carry them with me -forever," he concluded. View this post on Instagram A post shared by John Stamos (@johnstamos) Brian's daughter Carnie Wilson also broke her silence on her father's death. "I have no words to express the sadness I feel right now," she began the post, which she shared alongside a photo of her and sister Wendy Wilson. "My Father @brianwilsonlive was every fiber of my body. He will be remembered by millions and millions until the world ends." Carnie, 57, noted how "lucky" she was to "have been his daughter and had a soul connection with him." "I've never felt this kind of pain before, but I know he's resting up there in heaven ... or maybe playing the piano for Grandma Audree his Mom," wrote Carnie. "I will post something else soon but this is all my hands will let me type. I love you Daddy....I miss so much you already." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Carnie Wilson (@carnie68) Nancy Sinatra, who collaborated with Wilson on "California Girls" on her 2002 album California Girl called singing with the late artist "one of the biggest thrills of my life" in a heartfelt Instagram tribute. "His cherished music will live forever as he travels through the Universe and beyond," Sinatra, 85, captioned the post, alongside a photo of Wilson with his arm wrapped around her in what appeared to be a studio. "God bless you, sweet Brian." in an Instagram post on June 11, Wilson's family confirmed he had died at the age of 82. "We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away," read the statement, which was shared with a recent photo of the music legend smiling on a bench. "We are at a loss for words right now." It continued: "Please respect our privacy at this time as our family is grieving. We realize that we are sharing our grief with the world. Love & Mercy." No cause of death has been revealed. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Drag stars are set to attend, then protest, Trump's appearance at Les Misérables
A group of drag stars is expected to be at Wednesday night's performance of Les Misérables at the John F. Kennedy Center where they plan to protest President Trump and Vice President Vance's scheduled attendance. It will be the president's first show at the historic Washington, D.C. venue since he canned the board and took control, firing previous leadership and installing himself as chairman. Trump, 78, ignited fury over his decision to take the reigns of the Kennedy Center, as he pledged to scrap 'woke' programming aligned with what he called leftist ideology. On social media, the president wrote there would be 'NO MORE DRAG SHOWS, OR OTHER ANTI-AMERICAN PROPAGANDA.' So when some of the ticket holders for Wednesday night's show found out that Trump, Vance and their wives, Melania and Usha, would be in attendance, they donated their tickets, according to Qommittee, a network of drag performers, fans and allies, as reported by Houston Public Media. Vagenesis, one of the four to six performers planning to attend, told NPR she is protesting in response to the president's pledge to put a stop to drag shows at the center. 'Theater is supposed to be a place of community, a place of storytelling, a place of celebration, joy, catharsis and it should be open and available to all,' Vagenesis said. As a result of Trump's actions, several members of the company are expected to boycott the president's attendance by not performing. Cast members have remained silent on social media regarding the Kennedy Center run, but multiple reports indicate up to a dozen performers will sit out Wednesday's show. 'The cast was given the option to not perform the night Trump will be in the audience, and both major cast members and members of the ensemble are among those sitting out,' CNN reported last month. A representative from the Les Miserables company told The Independent: 'The National Tour of Les Misérables is looking forward to performing for D.C. audiences beginning tonight and throughout the engagement at the Kennedy Center, where the U.S. first saw the original production in 1986.' Historically, the Kennedy Center has hosted a variety of productions, ranging from operas to contemporary musicals and symphonies. The institution opened in 1971 and has since served as a showcase for theater, music and dramatic performances, with artists ranging from the Paul Taylor Dance Company to a joint concert by Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga. Weeks after Trump's return to the Oval Office, he fired the Kennedy Center's leadership, putting MAGA loyalist Richard Grenell in charge of the famed performing arts institution. Trump also appointed Usha Vance to the center's board along with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Attorney General Pam Bondi and several Fox News channel hosts and other supporters. In response, several high-profile performers and members, including Insecure star Issa Rae, Grey's Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes and singer-songwriter Ben Folds, resigned from their positions and canceled shows. The center, which has seen a staggering 50 percent drop in ticket sales, has since canceled performances by the touring children's musical Finn and a planned concert featuring the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, D.C. 'The Kennedy Center is coming back,' the president added, claiming: 'It was not properly taken care of and we are taking it back and we are going to turn it back into something great.' Trump has previously proclaimed his love for Les Misérables, telling Fox News: 'I love the songs; I love the play. I think it's great.' He has played the musical's rebellion anthem, 'Do You Here the People Sing?' at past events and rallies. The story revolves around revolution in France, and has been a massive smash for decades. Trump also suggested that 'we may extend' the show's run. Currently, Les Misérables is slated to run at the Kennedy Center through July 13. Vagenesis added that she and the other drag performers show up for opening night, they are doing so peacefully. 'I hope it delivers the message that we're not backing down,' she said. 'We're not allowing this kind of bigotry and erasure to stop us from doing what we want to do, or from existing.'


New York Post
an hour ago
- New York Post
How ‘Beach Boys' co-founder Brian Wilson, the original boy of summer, transformed music as we know it
I'm picking up sad vibrations. Brian Wilson — who co-founded the Beach Boys and was the main architect of their sound — is now surfing the heavens after his death was announced by his family on Wednesday. The genius of the group he formed with his brothers Carl and Dennis, cousin Mike Love and their friend Al Jardine in 1961, Wilson was one of the true visionaries of music who defined pop as we know it today. Advertisement 6 'That ear — I mean, Jesus, he's got to will that to the Smithsonian,' Bob Dylan once said of Brian Wilson. AP From 1963's 'Surfin' U.S.A.' to 1964's 'I Get Around' to 1966's 'Good Vibrations,' Wilson defined not only the California sound but the sound of sunshine, the sound of summer, the sound of dreams. Inside of his musical mind there seemed to be a world of endless possibility that the rest of us could never have imagined as he explored sonic frontiers with his inventive production techniques, ingenious orchestrations and lush, layered harmonies. Advertisement While Love was the frontman of the Beach Boys, Wilson was the Man. 'That ear — I mean, Jesus, he's got to will that to the Smithsonian,' the Bard himself, Bob Dylan, once said. 6 Brian Wilson (top center) formed the Beach Boys with Mike Love, Al Jardine, Dennis Wilson and Carl Wilson in 1961. Getty Images In many ways, the Beach Boys were The Beatles of American music — even if they haven't always gotten the same revered respect. Advertisement 'Me and Mike were a little bit jealous of The Beatles because they took over the whole music scene,' Wilson told USA Today about the battle between the bands in 2021. But just as 'Beatlesque' will forever be a descriptive adjective in music vernacular, 'Beach Boyish' should be too. 6 'I wanted to write joyful music that would make other people feel good,' said Brian Wilson when the Beach Boys were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1988. AP While Motown was said to have captured the 'sound of young America' in the '60s, so too did Wilson and the Beach Boys. Advertisement Although the adolescent appeal of songs such as 'Fun, Fun, Fun' and 'California Girls' had a sunny simplicity, it belied the depth of artistry underneath the surface. The Beach Boys made it sound so easy, but this wasn't shallow stuff. With the Beach Boys' 1966 masterpiece 'Pet Sounds,' though, Wilson had his finest moment that has locked down its place as one of the greatest albums of all time. It was their 'Sgt. Pepper,' The Beatles' 1967 classic that it influenced. 6 The Beach Boys hit No. 1 with 'I Get Around,' 'Help Me, Rhonda' and 'Good Vibrations' in the '60s. Getty Images Name anything else that sounds more like heaven than the transcendent 'God Only Knows.' We'll wait. No less than Paul McCartney has called it the 'greatest song ever written.' 'It was 'Pet Sounds' that blew me out of the water,' said McCartney in a 1990 interview. 'First of all, it was Brian's writing. I love the album so much. … I figure no one is educated musically 'til they've heard that album. ' 6 Brian Wilson performed at a Yahoo! Music event in Los Angeles in 2008. AP Advertisement Wilson, the tortured soul and artist that he was, tried to follow up 'Pet Sounds' with the ambitious 'Smile,' but the album is part of music legend for remaining unfinished. As the Beach Boys' creative leader battled his own mental demons and substance abuse, the project was abandoned amid clashes between him and the rest of the band. While Wilson would remain connected to the Beach Boys for years, it was never the same. And it had to sting when his former group hit No. 1 again with 1988's 'Kokomo' without him, as he launched a solo career that never reached the heights of his Beach Boys work. But Wilson's legacy had long been secured as one of the all-time greats. Like Sly Stone, the funk pioneer who also passed away at 82 on Monday, his impact and influence were already living on in generations after him well before he died, from Fleetwood Mac and R.E.M. to Lana Del Rey and Beyoncé, who interpolates 'Good Vibrations' on her 'Cowboy Carter' album. 6 After forming in 1961, the Beach Boys scored their first Top 10 hit with 'Surfin' U.S.A.' in 1963. Michael Ochs Archives Advertisement 'He was our American Mozart. A one of a kind genius from another world,' wrote Sean Ono Lennon, John Lennon's son, on X. No doubt — Wilson's musical mission was accomplished. 'I wanted to write joyful music that would make other people feel good,' he said when the Beach Boys were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1988. But music — and summer — will never be the same without him.