Civil War
Movie, 2024, The 2020s, Set in A divided America
Civil War is #33 of 37 in release order and #33 of 37 in chronological order in the A24.
The story
In the near future, a group of war journalists attempt to survive while reporting the truth as the United States stands on the brink of civil war.
Civil War recap
Civil War (2024) follows a team of journalists driving from New York to Washington, D.C. to interview a president about to lose a second American civil war. Alex Garland writes and directs. Secessionist Western Forces from Texas and California are closing on the capital, where an authoritarian president serving an unconstitutional third term (Nick Offerman) still claims victory is near. Veteran war photographer Lee Smith (Kirsten Dunst) and Reuters reporter Joel (Wagner Moura) plan to reach him before the city falls; their older mentor Sammy (Stephen McKinley Henderson) of The New York Times comes along, as does Jessie (Cailee Spaeny), a young photographer who idolizes Lee. On back roads they find gas station torturers, snipers who do not care which side they are on, and a town pretending nothing is happening. A militia leader (Jesse Plemons) standing over a mass grave executes two Hong Kong journalists, and Sammy is fatally shot saving the others. The film stands alone.
Civil War ending explained
Civil War ends with the president's execution in the Oval Office. Lee, Joel and Jessie embed with Western Forces as they storm Washington; Lee is shaken and freezing while Jessie throws herself into the gunfire. A decoy motorcade is destroyed, and the soldiers push into the White House. When Jessie steps into the line of fire to get a shot, Lee shoves her clear and is killed, and Jessie photographs her falling. Soldiers drag the president out from under the desk; Joel asks for a quote, and the president says only, "Don't let them kill me." Jessie's final photograph shows the soldiers grinning over his body.
Post-credits scenes
No. Civil War has no post-credits scene, though Jessie's last photo develops on screen as the credits begin.
Where to watch Civil War
Civil War is streaming on YouTube (free) in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 7.0/10, Rotten Tomatoes 80%
Where it fits
- Release order: after The Zone of Interest, before Heretic.
- Chronological order: after The Zone of Interest, before Heretic.
Cast
- Kirsten Dunst as Lee
- Wagner Moura as Joel
- Cailee Spaeny as Jessie
- Stephen McKinley Henderson as Sammy
- Nelson Lee as Tony
- Nick Offerman as President
- Jefferson White as Dave
- Evan Lai as Bohai
- Vince Pisani as Concierge
- Justin James Boykin as American Soldier (Middle East)
- Jess Matney as Checkpoint Soldier
- Greg Hill as Pete
Directed by Alex Garland.