Civil War 2024 Parents Guide and Age Rating

Civil War (2024) is a dystopian film written and directed by Alex Garland. Starring Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, Cailee Spaeny, Stephen McKinley Henderson, and Nick Offerman, it follows a team of journalists traveling across the United States during a rapidly escalating Second American Civil War.

The film premiered at South by Southwest on March 14, 2024, and was released theatrically in the United States by A24 and in the United Kingdom by Entertainment Film Distributors on April 12, 2024. It garnered positive reviews from critics.

Civil War Plot Summary

In the future, things in the United States get really messy. It’s like a big fight where everyone is against each other, and the President is in charge, but not in a good way. He’s been in power for a long time, way more than usual.

One day, a brave photographer named Lee saves another photographer named Jessie from a big explosion in New York City. Jessie really looks up to Lee, so when Lee decides to go on a dangerous journey to interview the President in Washington, D.C., Jessie and their friend Joel want to go with her. They’re joined by their mentor, Sammy, who’s been a reporter for a long time.

Their trip is super risky because they have to go through places where there’s a lot of fighting between the government and rebel groups. Along the way, they see some really scary stuff, like people being hurt and even killed. It’s not easy, especially for Jessie, who’s never seen anything like it before.

They meet up with some other reporters from Hong Kong, Tony and Bohai, but sadly, they get caught by some really mean soldiers who do terrible things. Sammy tries to save them, but he gets hurt really bad and doesn’t make it.

Finally, they make it to a safe camp, but they’re not done yet. They join up with some soldiers who are trying to take down the President in Washington, D.C. There’s a big fight, and Lee, who’s like a big sister to Jessie, gets hurt protecting her. It’s really sad because Jessie has to take a picture of her friend’s last moments.

In the end, they find the President, and Jessie takes a picture of him getting what he deserves. It’s a powerful moment, showing that even in tough times, the truth can still come out. And in the end, there’s a photo of the soldiers who fought for what’s right, standing tall over the bad guy’s downfall.

After all the chaos settles down, Jessie feels a mix of emotions. On one hand, she’s proud of the bravery she and her friends showed in standing up against injustice. But on the other hand, she’s deeply saddened by the loss of Lee and Sammy, who were like family to her.

As Jessie looks at the photo she took of the President’s downfall, she realizes the power of storytelling through images. Even though words can describe a situation, a single picture can capture the raw emotions and truths that words sometimes can’t convey.

In the days that follow, Jessie decides to honor the memory of Lee and Sammy by continuing their work. She becomes determined to use her photography skills to shine a light on the struggles of people around the world, to make sure their voices are heard and their stories are told.

And as she looks at the developing photo of the soldiers standing over the defeated President, she knows that their fight was not in vain. It’s a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there are always people willing to stand up for what’s right, and that hope and justice can prevail in the end.

In the aftermath of the conflict, Jessie’s resolve to continue the fight for truth and justice only grows stronger. She embarks on a new journey as a war journalist, traveling to different parts of the world to document the struggles of oppressed communities and shed light on their stories.

Along the way, Jessie encounters both heart-wrenching tragedies and inspiring moments of resilience. Through her lens, she captures the untold stories of individuals fighting for their rights, facing adversity with courage and determination.

As her photographs are shared with the world, they serve as a powerful catalyst for change, sparking conversations, raising awareness, and inspiring action. Jessie’s work becomes a beacon of hope for those who have long been silenced and marginalized.

Despite the dangers and challenges she faces, Jessie remains unwavering in her commitment to making a difference through her photography. With each click of her camera shutter, she continues to amplify the voices of the voiceless and stand up for what she believes in.

And as she reflects on her journey, she knows that the legacy of Lee, Sammy, and all those who fought alongside her will live on through her work, inspiring others to never give up in the pursuit of justice and truth.

Civil War 2024 Parents Guide and Age Rating

Rating: The Civil War movie is rated R for intense violence, strong language, and mature themes.

• Violence: The movie contains intense and graphic scenes of violence, including combat, shootings, explosions, and death. There are depictions of war-related injuries and bloodshed throughout the film. Characters are shown in perilous situations, and there are disturbing images of dead bodies and mass graves.
• Language: Strong language is used frequently throughout the movie, including profanity, crude language, and derogatory terms. There are instances of swearing, including F-bombs, as well as offensive language directed towards various groups.
• Mature Themes: The movie deals with mature themes such as war, political corruption, dictatorship, and rebellion. It includes discussions and depictions of violence, trauma, loss, and sacrifice. Some scenes may be distressing or emotionally intense for younger viewers.
• Sexual Content: There are brief references to sexual activity and innuendo, but no explicit sexual scenes are shown. Some characters may engage in flirtatious behavior or make suggestive comments.
• Drugs and Alcohol: Characters are shown consuming alcohol and smoking cigarettes in various scenes. There are references to drug use, but it is not depicted on screen.

Cast of Civil War

• Kirsten Dunst as Lee Smith
• Wagner Moura as Joel
• Cailee Spaeny as Jessie
• Stephen McKinley Henderson as Sammy
• Nick Offerman as the President of the United States
• Nelson Lee as Tony
• Evan Lai as Bohai
• Sonoya Mizuno as Anya
• Jefferson White as Dave
• Juani Feliz as Joy Butler
• Edmund Donovan as Eddie
• Karl Glusman as a spotter
• Jin Ha as a sniper
• Jojo T. Gibbs as WF White House Sergeant
• Jesse Plemons as an unnamed soldier
• Jess Matney as a checkpoint soldier