A24 has released the first trailer for Warfare, an unflinching war drama co-directed by Iraq War veteran Ray Mendoza and acclaimed filmmaker Alex Garland (Ex Machina, Annihilation). The film offers a harrowing, real-time depiction of modern combat, embedding viewers with a platoon of American Navy SEALs stationed inside an Iraqi family’s home during a tense and deadly siege.

Watch the trailer

What is the film about?

Drawing from Mendoza’s own experiences as a decorated Navy SEAL, Warfare channels the raw intensity and chaos of the Iraq War. Set in 2006, the story unfolds from the perspective of American soldiers tasked with overwatching U.S. forces moving through hostile insurgent territory. Mendoza’s personal memories of sniper overwatch missions in Ramadi shape the film’s stark authenticity, while Garland’s cinematic style adds psychological depth to the narrative, exploring the weight of duty, survival, and the haunting nature of memory.

Co-written by Mendoza and Garland, Warfare aims to redefine the war genre with its "boots-on-the-ground" approach. Each moment is designed to feel immediate and immersive, with scenes of machine-gun fire, deafening explosions, and split-second decisions played out in real-time.

Who is in the cast?

The cast is stacked with rising and established stars, led by D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai (Reseveration Dogs) as a character inspired by Mendoza himself. Joining him are Joseph Quinn (Stranger Things, Gladiator II), Cosmo Jarvis (Persuasion), Kit Connor (Heartstopper), Michael Gandolfini (The Many Saints of Newark), Noah Centineo (Black Adam, To All The Boys I've Loved Before), Will Poulter (The Bear), Charles Melton (May December), and Finn Bennett (The Nevers).

When will it be released?

Warfare is set for a 2025 release, though the exact date has not been announced yet. We'll keep you updated as we know more.

Feature image: still from A24 trailer.