There’s no shortage of films that glorify America for the Fourth of July. For instance, two of director Roland Emmerich‘s best movies — The Patriot and Independence Day — are fan-favorite July 4th films.
But this year, the Watch With Us team is making an unconventional pick for the one movie you need to stream on July 4th — Alex Garland‘s Civil War.
This 2024 movie isn’t about the American Civil War from the 19th century. Instead, it takes place in a world that isn’t too far removed from our own.
And it’s a cautionary tale about America’s trajectory after decades of internal strife.
‘Civil War’ Is a Disturbing Look at America’s Possible Future
Leave it to an Englishman to decide that California and Texas would team up against a tyrannical federal government in Civil War. Garland is a very astute filmmaker, but that was one political alliance that didn’t seem very plausible. What seems very possible, however, is that the ongoing culture war becomes an actual war that engulfs the nation.
We’ve already had one civil war in our nation’s past, and there are still scars from that conflict that resonate today. What Civil War lacks in recognizably authentic American politics, it makes up for by offering a harsh reminder that there are no real winners in a domestic civil war. And this film serves as a reminder of everything that could be lost if there really were another civil war.
‘Civil War’ Doesn’t Shy Away From the Ugliest Aspects of War
Jesse Plemons has an unnerving cameo in Civil War as a racist militant who is more than willing to hurt people whom he decides aren’t American. It’s hard to see that scene and not think about the recent unrest over ICE roundups that have included American citizens who were arrested regardless of whether they were undocumented immigrants or not.
Plemons’ character takes that mindset to its horrifying conclusion. What makes him so terrifying is that nothing can be said to dissuade that character from unleashing violence on innocent people. He’s a monster, and Plemons plays him as an ice-cold reflection of the worst aspects of humanity.
Kirsten Dunst Gives a Career-Best Performance
Kirsten Dunst is the heart of Civil War, even though her character, Lee Smith, is a veteran war photojournalist. Lee’s been hardened by previous experiences in war zones, but even she is visibly affected by what she sees unfolding in her own country. Dunst’s face conveys the growing alarm, disgust and the deepening depression of Lee as the movie marches to its inevitable conclusion.
Dunst demonstrates the somewhat softer side of Lee through her willingness to mentor Jessie Collin (Cailee Spaeny), a young journalist who accompanies her and Joel (Wagner Moura) on a long journey to Washington D.C. for an interview with the President that may never happen. Spaeny is also quite good as Jessie, whose transformation is the fun house reflection of Lee’s. As Lee slowly breaks down throughout the film, Jessie becomes more immune to the horrific things happening around them. That leads to some haunting moments you won’t soon forget.
Civil War is streaming on Max.
