Filmmaker Alex Garland discussed why releasing ‘Civil War’ during an election year makes sense, explained the unlikely alliance between Texas and California in the film, and criticized the political polarization, stating, “History teaches us that no country is immune. Everyone is susceptible.
At a panel during the South by Southwest Film & TV event, writer-director Alex Garland discussed some of the key questions surrounding his upcoming A24 action-drama, ‘Civil War.’ He addressed why the film is being released now, what message he aims to convey, and why Texas and California are portrayed as allies in the fictional conflict.
Garland, known for films like Ex Machina and Annihilation, finally spoke out about these topics following the world premiere screening of Civil War. The timing of the film’s release has drawn attention, especially given the backdrop of a contentious election year. With President Biden emphasizing the importance of democracy amidst concerns about attempts to undermine election integrity by his opponent, Donald Trump, ‘Civil War’ enters the conversation at a critical moment.
“When I worked on Ex Machina, which focused on AI, people sometimes called it ‘prescient’ or ‘predictive,'” Garland explained when asked about the timing of the film. “I always feel a bit embarrassed when people say that because when I wrote it, there was already a huge debate happening about it. Similarly, all the topics in Civil War have been part of public debate for years. These discussions have been gaining momentum, but none of it is a secret. I felt like everyone understood these issues, so I felt compelled to write about them. When I wrote this four years ago in June, there was an election looming and we were dealing with Covid — the same conversations as now. It felt like the right time to address these issues.”
Garland emphasized that the film isn’t solely a critique of the United States. “The divisions seen in America are mirrored in many countries worldwide,” said the British filmmaker. “America’s exceptionalism, the belief it’s immune to certain issues, poses an extra risk due to its global influence. History teaches us that no one is exempt from such problems. If we don’t approach them with rationality and decency, they can spiral out of control. It’s not just an American issue; similar issues exist in my home country of Britain. However, the stakes are higher here due to America’s global impact.”
Garland also discussed America’s high availability of guns, stating that while guns are prominently featured in the film, they aren’t necessarily a key factor for civil war risk. “Any country can descend into civil war, regardless of the presence of guns,” he pointed out. “Some civil wars have been waged with machetes and still resulted in massive casualties.”
He passionately highlighted that ‘Civil War’ aims to spark a conversation about political divisiveness that demonizes the opposing side. By escalating rhetoric into an ethical debate, it becomes easier to view others as inherently evil. Once someone is labeled morally wrong, opponents may justify extreme measures to stop them.
“Why are we talking instead of listening?” Garland pondered. “We’ve lost trust in the media and politicians. But let’s remember, there are good folks on both sides of the divide. I have friends with different political views, and that’s okay. Why is that so hard to grasp? Why are we shutting down conversations? Politics is about how to run a state, not about being right or wrong. It’s about what works best. If one approach doesn’t work, we vote it out and try something else. But somehow, we’ve turned it into a moral issue, which is just plain stupid and dangerous. I believe social media plays a role in this. When conversations become public, something gets lost in the interaction between people.”
When asked about the lack of clarity regarding the politics in his film, Garland explained that ‘Civil War’ envisions a near-future dystopia where the United States has been fractured under the authoritarian rule of a president serving three terms, played by Nick Offerman. The story centers on a journalist, portrayed by Kirsten Dunst, and her colleagues navigating through a hostile and divided America. Despite the intense conflict, the film avoids traditional red state/blue state divisions, with unlikely allies like Texas and California. The specifics of the political landscape are intentionally left vague, providing viewers with few clues about the events leading up to the conflict, beyond what’s revealed in the trailers. One notable detail is the president’s decision to disband the FBI, which some may interpret as a nod to recent political events, such as calls to “defund” the Bureau.
“I personally believe the film provides answers,” Garland explained. “We depict a scenario where a fascist president disregards the Constitution and attacks American citizens. That’s a clear statement. As for why Texas and California might set aside their differences and ally, the answer is implicit in the situation. The film doesn’t spoon-feed these explanations; it expects viewers to engage and think critically. It assumes the audience can connect the dots.
“The warnings about the country’s potential collapse are all there, but for some reason, they don’t resonate as they should,” he continued. “I’ve wondered if it’s because of the polarization. Are we too entrenched in our own positions to absorb new information? That’s why I made a movie that highlights this polarization.”
Audiences have been overwhelmingly positive about the film, describing it as gripping, unsettling, and brilliantly crafted. Critics, too, have given it a solid 83 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with The Hollywood Reporter offering praise in their review.
However, the film’s timing has sparked debate online. Some worry that certain groups, particularly those lacking media literacy or nuance, might misinterpret the film’s message. They fear that depicting violent actions by right-wing characters could be seen as glorification by certain factions.
Others feel uncomfortable with the film’s subject matter, finding the idea of a modern civil war too distressing to consider, even if it’s based on a fictional scenario. The thought of such a conflict happening today is deeply unsettling for many.
While the concept of a modern civil war may seem far-fetched to some, a recent poll found that 40 percent of Americans believe it’s at least somewhat likely within the next decade.
‘Civil War’ features a talented cast including Wagner Moura, Cailee Spaeny, Stephen McKinley Henderson, and Sonoya Mizuno. The film is set to hit theaters and IMAX screens on April 12th.