“Warfare” emerges from the creative minds of Alex Garland, acclaimed for his work on “Ex Machina” and “Annihilation,” and Ray Mendoza, a former Navy SEAL who draws on his own experiences to inform the story. Garland, having shifted from science fiction to intense war dramas, previously directed 2024’s “Civil War.” This film took a journalistic lens to a speculative American conflict and received a 7/10 rating from Looper.

Adding to “Warfare’s” appeal is its impressive ensemble cast, featuring some of today’s most promising young talents. The lineup includes Joseph Quinn, Will Poulter, D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Charles Melton, and Noah Centineo. Despite this star-studded roster, the film earned a modest $33 million at the box office, against a $20 million budget. However, its availability on HBO Max could help it reach a wider audience and earn the recognition it deserves.

The film takes inspiration from true accounts of the 2006 Battle of Ramadi during the Iraq War. Unfolding in real time, “Warfare” captures the soldiers’ experiences, balancing periods of calm with sudden, intense violence. This raw depiction of survival resonated with critics, who lauded its unwavering commitment to authenticity.

At just 95 minutes, “Warfare” offers a concise yet intense experience, in contrast to lengthier classics like “Saving Private Ryan” and “Black Hawk Down.” Despite its shorter runtime, the relentless action ensures that viewers feel the weight of the conflict. By the end, audiences are left as exhausted as the characters, a testament to the skillful direction and storytelling of Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza.

That’s particularly the case when it comes to sound design. Looper’s review of “Warfare” praised this element, noting that it worked particularly well in a cinema setting. If you have a decent sound set-up at home, you should expect a similar experience watching it on HBO Max. Ultimately, the sound design works in service of showing the brutal reality of war. What the film may lack in characterizations, it makes up for in brutal imagery, with Empire writing, “War is hell, and ‘Warfare’ refuses to shy away from it. Free of the operatics of most supposed anti-war films, it’s all the more effective for its simplicity. It is respectfully grueling.”

“Warfare” only has a 95-minute runtime, a far cry from other war films like “Saving Private Ryan” and “Black Hawk Down” that are well over two hours each. It may not seem like a long time, but once the gunfire starts, it’ll feel like it never ends. By the time the credits are rolling, you feel like you’ve been through an ordeal alongside the characters, and that’s a testament to Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza’s combined efforts.