A24‘s “Warfare” is launching an Imax run with early screenings beginning April 9. The film, written and directed by Iraq War veteran Ray Mendoza and “Civil War” helmer Alex Garland, opens wide on April 11. Tickets are available for purchase now at the Imax website.
The 94-minute film takes place in real time and embeds the viewer with a platoon of U.S. Navy SEALs on an ill-fated surveillance mission in Ramadi, insurgent territory about 70 miles west of Baghdad. It’s an intense, visceral movie based on Mendoza’s experiences in the war. He’s played by D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, who leads an ensemble featuring Will Poulter, Cosmo Jarvis, Charles Melton, Joseph Quinn, Kit Connor, Finn Bennett, Taylor John Smith and Michael Gandolfini. Adain Bradley, Noah Centineo, Evan Holtzman, Henry Zaga, Alex Brockdorff, Nathan Altai, Aaron Deakins and Donya Hussen also star.
A24 hosted a screening for veterans in Los Angeles on March 12, where Justin Garza, a filmmaker from the Warrior Heritage Foundation, introduced the film and said, “This hasn’t been Hollywood-ed up.” Garland said the film is “a product of honesty,” describing it as “unfiltered, unflinching and just truthful.”
Melton revealed that he and his castmates endured a three-week military boot camp to prepare for the film, at the end of which they all shaved their heads and got matching tattoos.
In addition to “Warfare,” A24 is also dusting off another film for Imax — “Spring Breakers,” which returns to theaters for one night on March 19 as part of the studio’s monthly screening series.
