Civil War 2024 Movie: Streaming Release date, Trailer, plot, cast, & Everything we know About the Kirsten Dunst film

The highly anticipated film Civil War, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Alex Garland and starring Kirsten Dunst, recently made its streaming debut. It charmed audiences with its gripping portrayal of a fractured America. 

This dystopian thriller, which first hit theaters on April 12, paints a chilling picture of a nation divided into four regions under the rule of a controversial third-term president, played by Nick Offerman. As tensions rise and the US faces its first civil war since the 1800s, the film follows a team of journalists navigating the chaos to uncover the truth behind the conflict between the rebellious Western Forces and the federal government.

Civil War has already garnered significant attention, becoming A24's most expensive production to date, with a budget of $50 million. It has grossed over $122 million globally, securing its spot as the studio's second-highest-grossing film and earning generally positive reviews from critics. With its release coinciding with the politically charged atmosphere of the upcoming presidential elections, the film resonates deeply with contemporary audiences, making it a timely addition to the war genre.

Curious to know more about this gripping film? Prepare to dive into the depths of its plot twists, captivating characters, and the intense atmosphere that Civil War has to offer. Stay tuned for ongoing updates as we uncover even more shocking insights leading up to its impact on popular culture!

Release date & Where to Watch

Civil War is available for streaming on Max starting Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. The A24 film was released in theaters on April 12, 2024, and is rated R.

Plot

Civil War centers on the conflict between the Loyalist States, which included Washington, D.C., and the Western Forces, composed of California and Texas. After enduring deadly strife in New York, three veteran journalists—war photographer Lee Smith (Kirsten Dunst) and reporters Joel (Wagner Moura) and Sammy (Stephen McKinley Henderson)—set out on a perilous journey to D.C. Their mission: to interview the president and capture a photo before the Western Forces launch their coup.

Despite the dangers, they bring along rookie photographer Jessie (Cailee Spaeny), risking their safety in a city where journalists are targeted. Directed by Alex Garland, the film follows this team of military-embedded journalists as they race against time to reach the capital before rebel factions storm the White House.

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Cast

• Kirsten Dunst (The Power of the Dog) as Lee Smith
• Wagner Moura (Narcos) as journalist Joel
• Stephen McKinley Henderson as veteran journalist Sammy
• Cailee Spaeny as aspiring photographer Jessie
• Nick Offerman as the President of the United States 
• Jesse Plemmons as creepy soldier 
• Sonoya Mizuno (Ex Machina) as Anya
• Evan Lai (Sons of Anarchy) as Bohai
• Jefferson White (Yellowstone) as Dave
• Karl Glusman (Watcher) as a spotter
• Juani Feliz (Harlem) as Joy Butler
• Nelson Lee (Ahsoka) as Tony
• Jin Ha (Devs) as a sniper
• Edmund Donovan (High Fidelity) as Eddie
• Jojo T. Gibbs (Fresh) as the WF White House Sergeant

Official Trailer

The second trailer for Civil War, unveiled on February 20, 2024, delves deeper into the ongoing historic conflict, showcasing additional domestic battles, including a dramatic confrontation at the Lincoln Memorial.

A24 unveiled the first trailer, presenting a fractured America amid a deadly conflict. The U.S. government faces insurrection from the California and Texas-backed Western Forces and the Florida Alliance. While the President promises a swift resolution, journalists covering the war reveal a grim reality of airstrikes on domestic soil and the Western Forces advancing toward Washington, D.C. In their quest for the truth, these journalists must confront both sides of a brutal Civil War, willing to do anything to prevail.

Filming

Filming for Civil War commenced in Atlanta, Georgia, on March 15, 2022, under the code name "Road Trip," before relocating to London in May. With a production budget of $50 million, it became A24's most expensive film to date. Notably, the film utilized the prosumer DJI Ronin 4D camera for some scenes.

The finale, set in Washington D.C., involved extensive planning. Director Alex Garland and cinematographer Rob Hardy conducted roundtable discussions alongside production designer Caty Maxey, VFX supervisor David Simpson, military supervisor Ray Mendoza, and stunt coordinator Jeff Dashnaw. Scenes depicting Washington streets were filmed in Stone Mountain, Georgia, while the sequences set in the White House were shot at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta.

Will Civil War Be Alex Garland's last Movie?

In an interview with The Guardian, Alex Garland sparked speculation about his retirement when he stated, "I'm not going to direct for the foreseeable future." However, he later clarified in a conversation with Collider's Steve Weintraub that he is not stepping away from filmmaking entirely. Garland explained that his initial statement reflects the current landscape of how words can be misinterpreted, noting, “What I said was I'm not going to direct for the foreseeable future, which is true. I work as a screenwriter... Filmmaking does not only include directing. There are other roles one can do.”

Garland is actively involved in screenwriting and has two upcoming projects lined up following Civil War. He is set to write the screenplay for the much-anticipated sequel 28 Years Later, reuniting with director Danny Boyle. This film is rumored to feature Academy Award winner Cillian Murphy reprising his role as Jim, alongside franchise newcomers Jodie Comer (Killing Eve) and Ralph Fiennes (The Grand Budapest Hotel).

Additionally, Garland will co-direct the military action film Warfare with Ray Mendoza. Thus, while Civil War may be his current project, it certainly won’t be his last venture in filmmaking.

Behind the Scenes

Acclaimed filmmaker Garland is leading the creative force behind Civil War, serving as both director and sole screenwriter. Known for his work on Ex Machina, Annihilation, and Men, Garland brings his signature style to this grounded war film. Though it may seem like a departure from his usual sci-fi thrillers, fans will recognize the post-apocalyptic themes that have defined his career, starting with his writing on 28 Days Later. Garland also penned Sunshine and the action-packed Dredd before making his directorial debut with Ex Machina.

Joining Garland on Civil War is a top-tier crew, including composers Geoff Barrow and Ben Salisbury (Annihilation), cinematographer Rob Hardy (Mission: Impossible - Fallout), editor Jake Roberts (Hell or High Water), production designer Caty Maxey (The Guardian), and art directors Mark Dillon (Rise) and Jason Vigdor (Creepshow).