Alex Garland’s latest polarizing A24 film, Civil War, was made available digitally after a successful theatrical run earlier this year. At the time, it broke records for A24 when it raked in $113.6 million worldwide. The film also faced a notable AI controversy and has sparked countless social media posts debating a British perspective on American politics. Regardless of where you stand on the film, its impact as a piece of entertainment is undeniable, especially as it leads the charts on Amazon.
The movie that broke records for indie-darling studio A24 continues to make waves, climbing back into the number one position on the Amazon digital rental charts. It found itself at this peak back in May of this year and has since been hovering around the top five, building its audience consistently without breaking much of a sweat. Back in the top spot, Civil War has seen nearly 70 days of success via Amazon.
A24’s descriptor:
From filmmaker Alex Garland comes a journey across a dystopian future America, following a team of military-embedded journalists as they race against time to reach DC before rebel factions descend upon the White House.
An Uncivil Discourse
Garland’s latest thriller boasts a stellar ensemble cast featuring Kirsten Dunst, Cailee Spaeny, Wagner Moura, Stephen McKinley Henderson, and Nick Offerman. Dunst was widely reported to have delivered a standout performance as Lee Smith, a seasoned war photographer. She’s meant to embody a blend of resilience and vulnerability shaped by years of intense experiences. The interplay between her character and Spaeny’s Jessie is captivating as they navigate their contrasting backgrounds amid intense violence.
The film’s portrayal of violence has also sparked some very divided opinions. Some viewers feel Garland’s approach is overly restrained, not unlike those who believe that the reasons behind some real civil wars can remain deliberately vague. This ambiguity has led to mixed reactions: while some believe that the lack of detail doesn’t detract from the film’s impact, others argue it reflects Garland’s reluctance to take a definitive stance.
The trailer for the #1 movie on Amazon’s rental charts:
In his review of the Alex Garland joint straight out of its 2024 SXSW Film Festival world premiere, our very own Drew Tinnin praised the title, writing, “Shockingly, Alex Garland’s polarizing new film offers up a surprising level of catharsis hidden inside a riveting, action-heavy war movie.”
Tinnin also writes:
“Those debating whether to take the plunge and take a chance on A24’s most ambitious offering to date shouldn’t stray. Oddly, Civil War operates on a more therapeutic frequency. Where the real-world events that inspired the film can be triggering, Garland’s deft hand uses stark images of an America on the brink to bring about a strange level of catharsis. That’s no easy feat.”
Lastly, have you seen the Civil War? Will you rent the title to keep it at the top on the Amazon movie rental charts? Let us know what you think on Twitter/X via @DreadCentral. We are always around to chat about all things A24.
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