British actor Will Poulter has claimed that there are “few truly anti-war films,” arguing that many war movies romanticise and glorify conflict rather than portraying its devastating realities.
Speaking at The Cinema in Battersea Power Station during a special screening of Warfare, the 32-year-old emphasised that the film focuses on the consequences of war, rather than the action and spectacle often associated with the genre.
A gritty and unflinching portrayal of war
Warfare follows a platoon of American Navy SEALs deployed in Iraq during a surveillance mission gone wrong. Poulter stars as Captain Eric, the officer in charge, alongside a cast that includes D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Stranger Things’ Joseph Quinn, Heartstopper’s Kit Connor, and Shōgun’s Cosmo Jarvis.
Reflecting on the film’s approach to its subject matter, Poulter told the PA news agency:
“This film really deals with the consequences of war. And I think that in past films—without disparaging other movies which have maybe had different objectives—there has been a tendency to glorify, romanticise, or mine those environments purely for entertainment. As a result, they’ve neglected to reflect the reality of the situation.”
Poulter went on to explain that Warfare seeks to dismantle common misconceptions about soldiers, highlighting their youth and vulnerability:
“There are a few truly anti-war films, and I truly believe this one is one of them in the way it shows the psychological and physical impact on everyone in those environments.
“It helps to debunk the idea that people who go to war are, one, a lot older than they are in reality. And two, debunks the myth that they aren’t human, or that they don’t succumb to emotion and psychological pressure.”
“What you see in this film is very, very young men, like 20 to 25 years old, experiencing the raw reality of war.”
Poulter also highlighted the film’s focus on the impact of war on civilians, particularly the families native to the conflict zones, who are often overlooked in mainstream war films.
A story inspired by real-life experiences
Warfare was co-written and directed by Alex Garland and Iraq War veteran Ray Mendoza, drawing on first-hand accounts from Navy SEALs, including Mendoza’s own experiences from a mission in Ramadi in 2006.
Speaking at the screening, Kit Connor echoed Poulter’s sentiments, expressing his hope that audiences would gain a deeper understanding of the true costs of war:
“We hope people come out of it understanding the effects that war has on everyone involved, and just the real weight of it.”
“I think no matter what time it is in the world, this will always be an important film to watch.”
A bold step away from Hollywood’s traditional war films
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Poulter’s comments highlight an ongoing debate in cinema: can a war film ever truly be anti-war? Many classic war movies, from Saving Private Ryan to 1917, depict the brutality of war, yet still often frame soldiers as heroic figures within narratives that ultimately celebrate their bravery. Even films that aim to critique war, such as Apocalypse Now, have been accused of glamourising combat through visually stunning battle sequences and stylised cinematography.
However, Warfare takes a different approach, stripping away the romanticism and instead focusing on the mental and emotional toll of war on those who fight it—and those who get caught in its wake.
Poulter’s evolution as an actor
Best known for his comedic turn in We’re the Millers and his role as Gally in The Maze Runner, Poulter has built a reputation as a versatile actor, recently starring in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Warfare represents a shift towards grittier, more mature roles, further cementing his place in the industry as an actor willing to tackle thought-provoking subject matter.
When will warfare be released?
The film, produced by A24, is set to hit UK cinemas on April 18. With its hard-hitting themes and commitment to authenticity, Warfare is likely to spark discussions about how war is depicted in cinema—and whether audiences are finally ready for a truly anti-war film.
