A “masterpiece” war film set during the Iraq War described by one fan as “one of the best war movies of the last decade” is streaming now. Warfare (2025) is set in 2006, and depicts the story of a real-life mission carried out by US forces in Iraq’s Ramadi Province, an area of the country contested by Al‑Qaeda forces.

The synopsis on Amazon Prime reads: “The harrowing true story of a US Navy Seal platoon surveillance mission gone dangerously wrong. Warfare captures the intensity of combat like never before, and delivers an unflinching portrayal of brotherhood, sacrifice, and survival.” The film was written and directed by Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza, who was one of the US soldiers who took part in the mission. It was inspired by his experiences, as well as testimony from other platoon members.

The film features an ensembled cast, inclyding D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Will Poulter, Cosmo Jarvis, Kit Connor, Finn Bennett, Joseph Quinn, and Charles Melton.

The events of the movie play out in real time, in a breathless and immersive attempt to recreate the moment-to-moment tension faced by the personnel who experienced it.

Wendy Ide, a critic at The Observer, notes that the film focuses on capturing what being there was like, and rejects “a flag-waving message about the nobility of the cause” or “some attempt at sentimental string-pulling to knit an emotional attachment to the characters.”

“The overriding impression, once the adrenaline has drained away, is of futility, waste and pointless destruction,” she wrote.

Fans have showered Warfare with praise online, with one Rotten Tomatoes user writing: “Pure realist depiction of overseas military operation, delivering raw emotions of the US Navy Seals soldiers.

“There are solid action scenes that keep you on edge but the movie attracts your focus to what the soldiers think, feel and experience. I wasn’t expecting that, that was a masterpiece work.”

Another wrote: “Realistic. Traumatizing. No frills. No juice. Just pure warfare. Easily one of the best war movies of the last decade.”

A third added: “Absolutely amazing war film. 10 out of 10. A complete adrenaline rush.”

The film has a superb 92% Tomatometer score, reflecting the high percentage of critics who have given it a positive review. It also has a 93% score based on general audience reviews.

One fan on IMDb praised the realism but wasn’t taken by the storytelling: “Warfare is a film I admire a bit more than I enjoy. I believe it accomplished its primary goal of being a masterclass of immersive realism. It’s a truly uncompromising depiction of war and contains a raw and stomach turning performance from Joseph Quinn.

“However, I think that commitment to realism is also the film’s biggest limiting factor. The deliberate choice to keep the character and missions vague, limited its emotional impact.

“Overall, I think its a brilliant exercise in filmmaking and cinematography that openly prioritizes a visceral experience over a conventional narrative story.”

Others appreciated its focus on authenticity over blockbuster war film tropes. “Warfare engrossed me from scene one to the very end,” they wrote.

“Most biopics/historical dramas have to take liberties with details and dialog. This script was written based on the memories of the men who were there. As such, it doesn’t feel like Hollywood. It feels personal and intimate.”

The film has a 15 certificate and features strong injury detail, violence, and language – so viewer discretion is advised.

Warfare is streaming now on Amazon Prime.