Alex Garland's upcoming "Civil War" with Kirsten Dunst is apparently completed and has received its MPA rating: R for strong violent content, bloody/disturbing images, and language throughout.
Garland started shooting “Civil War” just a few weeks before premiering “Men” at Cannes in the Directors’ Fortnight section in May of 2022.
“Civil War” is his fourth feature film (and third A24 project) shot in Atlanta and London. The film, set in near-future America, is said to be a companion piece to “Men.”
It has also had two test screenings, that I know of, both took place in early Spring. The reactions, and there were a lot of them, seemed to be mixed to positive.
One person wrote that it was “not quite on the same level as Ex Machina and Annihilation”. It’s said to be a road movie and a war film with satirical elements. The cast is solid, especially Kirsten Dunst in the lead role as a war photographer. It looks great and is stylishly directed, with some fun needle drops. Jesse Plemons and Nick Offerman also show up in small but key roles.
Another person described it as “an elevated shooter game” and “an entirely different beast than “Ex Machina” or “Men”. Less poetically artful or shocking, and a story that was difficult to follow.
The film stars Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Cailee Spaeny, Karl Glusman, Sonoya Mizuno and Jonica T. Gibbs. No plot details for now. I’m also tempted to believe a Fall launch is to be expected. Maybe a TIFF world premiere.
As mentioned, Garland’s last film was the very divisive “Men,” before that he directed the well-reviewed “Ex-Machina” and “Annihilation.” His unofficial directorial debut was “Dredd,” for which he was never credited.