The film Warfare draws from the memories of former SEAL team members, with some recalling more than others due to the trauma they experienced. Directed by Garland and written by him in collaboration with Mendoza, the film attempts to faithfully recreate a series of events based on their real-life experiences.
“We tried to reconstruct the events as accurately as possible,” Garland told CNN. “Of course, there were conflicting memories among the men. Some recollections were partial, and we had to piece together the truth from what we knew. It became a forensic reconstruction.”
Garland emphasized the film’s commitment to authenticity, saying, “We needed one simple rule: the film would only include what actually happened.” This results in a focused, no-frills narrative, devoid of lengthy exposition. The film also features plenty of military jargon, some of which is both puzzling and humorous—like when a soldier asks, “Is he peeking or probing?”
Mendoza, a former SEAL and the film’s consultant, describes Warfare as a response to the many war films that don’t accurately reflect the experience. “Most war movies are made by people who haven’t been through it themselves,” he said. While figures like John Ford, John Huston, and Oliver Stone might challenge this idea, Mendoza’s sentiment rings true in modern filmmaking.
He explains that many films about the Iraq War don’t resonate with veterans. “They might look cool, but we often think, ‘That’s not how we talk,’ or ‘That’s not what it’s really like.’ They misrepresent how we handle stress or how we interact as a unit.”
To ensure the actors could portray the SEAL team’s experience authentically, Mendoza put them through a three-week boot camp in the UK. The cast trained in weapons handling, radio communication, tactical maneuvers, and military first aid. “Ray is an amazing teacher,” said Cosmo Jarvis, who plays Elliot Miller, a role dedicated to the real-life SEAL.
The boot camp, according to actor Will Poulter, served two purposes: “It gave us the technical skills to play SEALs and brought us closer together as a team. The emotional connection naturally followed.”
“We spent about eight weeks together, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., with no time in trailers,” said actor Jack Melton. “We were like a family.”
Despite its compact 95-minute runtime, the film’s pacing is deliberate. Actor Quinn points out that Hollywood often avoids the slower moments of war, but Warfare embraces the monotony of waiting, building tension before the action.
Unlike iconic war films like Saving Private Ryan or Black Hawk Down, which highlight extraordinary missions, Warfare depicts the more mundane and, at times, tragic nature of combat. The violence, when it occurs, is swift, but the emotional aftermath is explored in graphic detail.
“We all shared the intimacy of the violence we portrayed,” said Quinn, whose character, Sam, faces the brunt of the film’s dangers. “It was dark, but it was beautiful to experience it as a group.”
For Mendoza, making the film was a way to process the trauma he experienced two decades ago. “It’s a constant journey,” he said. “The war may be over, but living with its effects continues. The process of understanding and communicating that is part of the healing.”
Mendoza also explained that transitioning from the military to civilian life brought its own set of challenges. “The skills I used in the Navy didn’t serve me well outside of it. Working in this industry—storytelling—has been therapeutic for me.”
Warfare also highlights the youth of those who serve in America’s wars. Kit Connor, who plays the newest team member, was 20 when filming began. “I look younger than most soldiers you see on screen,” he said, noting how rare it is for war films to cast such young actors.
While some may expect the film to make a political statement about Iraq or its people, Garland is clear about his intentions. When asked about the film’s message, he responded, “The film isn’t trying to communicate an agenda. It’s simply offering information as honestly as possible.”
The film concludes with a poignant moment of grace, which contrasts with the intense action that precedes it. Though brief, this moment leaves a lasting impact—a sentiment echoed by the cast members themselves.
To commemorate their bond, many actors got matching tattoos that read “call on me.” “It’s a symbol of our connection,” said Melton. “No matter where we are, we’re there for each other.”
Poulter, initially hesitant, soon joined the others in getting the tattoo. “I’ll get it within 24 hours,” he promised. True to his word, he did, sealing their status as brothers in arms, forever changed by the experience.
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