Warfare (2025) –  Everything You Need to Know

A24 is set to deliver another gritty, realistic war movie with Warfare, a film based on the real-life experiences of former U.S. Navy SEAL Ray Mendoza. Co-written and directed by Mendoza and Alex Garland (Ex Machina, Civil War), Warfare aims to immerse audiences in the battlefield like never before.

With a real-time storytelling approach and a stellar ensemble cast, Warfare promises to be a visceral, heart-pounding cinematic experience, exploring the mental and physical toll of war in a way that hasn’t been done before.

Let’s break down everything we know so far.

Plot: A Real-Time Look at War

Unlike traditional war films that rely on flashbacks or time jumps, Warfare plays out in real-time, placing the audience directly in the middle of the action.

Set in Iraq in 2006, the story follows a team of U.S. Navy SEALs stationed inside an Iraqi family’s home. Their mission? To oversee and assist U.S. forces navigating through dangerous insurgent territory.

The film doesn’t just focus on gunfights—it explores:

• The tense psychological battles soldiers face.
• The moral dilemmas of war.
• The human cost of conflict on both sides.

With its hyper-realistic style and intense combat sequences, Warfare could stand alongside modern war classics like Black Hawk Down, The Hurt Locker, and Lone Survivor.

Cast: An All-Star Lineup

A24 has assembled a powerhouse cast, led by D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai (Reservation Dogs), who portrays Ray Mendoza in the film.

Main Cast:

• D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai as Ray Mendoza
• Will Poulter (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3)
• Cosmo Jarvis (Shōgun) as Elliot
• Kit Connor (Heartstopper)
• Finn Bennett (True Detective: Night Country)
• Taylor John Smith (Where the Crawdads Sing)
• Michael Gandolfini (The Many Saints of Newark)
• Adain Bradley (Industry)
• Noah Centineo (Black Adam)
• Joseph Quinn (Stranger Things)
• Charles Melton (May December)

Why This Cast Matters:

A mix of rising stars and established talent makes Warfare even more exciting. With actors like Will Poulter and Joseph Quinn, who have shown their range in both blockbusters and indie films, we can expect some incredibly gripping performances.

Filming Locations & Authenticity

While Warfare is set in Iraq, filming took place in London starting in May 2024.
To ensure authenticity, real-life military advisors—including Mendoza himself—worked closely with the cast to create accurate combat sequences and realistic portrayals of modern warfare.

Why Warfare Could Be a Game-Changer for War Films

Real-Time Storytelling – Most war films rely on flashbacks or exposition, but Warfare unfolds in real-time, putting viewers inside the action from start to finish.

A24’s Signature Grit – A24 isn’t known for traditional blockbusters. They deliver visceral, thought-provoking cinema, and Warfare will likely be a war film unlike any other.

Emotional Depth – The film isn’t just about combat; it explores the mental struggles, moral conflicts, and human cost of war, making it more than just another action-packed war movie.

A Unique Perspective – With Ray Mendoza’s real-life experience guiding the story, Warfare is expected to offer an authentic look at the war in Iraq, giving audiences a perspective that’s rarely seen on screen.