A24's chilling 'Civil War' trailer sees America tearing itself apart

It's a grim picture, even with Nick Offerman playing the president.
By
Shannon Connellan
 on 
A photojournalist stands in a pink haze as if in a war zone.

Men, Ex Machina, and Annihilation director Alex Garland examines an America tearing itself apart in Civil War, and honestly, the trailer feels deeply uncomfortable to watch.

A24 dropped a chilling first look at the upcoming film which sees a "near-future" U.S. descending into brutal conflict. We're introduced to Nick Offerman as the president overseeing a dominant U.S. military suppressing state by state. He's accused of using air strikes against his own citizens, while armed forces take over the streets of New York and Washington DC. Then, the Lincoln Memorial is blown up. It's a grim picture.

Kirsten Dunst and Wagner Moura star as war photojournalists trying to navigate their family through the violence while attempting to report the truth — despite violent threats to journalists. There's a casually terrifying Jesse Plemons as a American soldier terrorising their family and asking "what kind of Americans" they are, and Cailee Spaeny, Stephen McKinley Henderson, and Sonoya Mizuno also star.

Mashable Top Stories
Stay connected with the hottest stories of the day and the latest entertainment news.
Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter
By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up!

Civil War hits cinemas April 26, 2024.

In the meantime, check out Mashable's best movies of 2023.

Topics Trailers

A black and white image of a person with a long braid and thick framed glasses.
Shannon Connellan

Shannon Connellan is Mashable's UK Editor based in London, formerly Mashable's Australia Editor, but emotionally, she lives in the Creel House. A Tomatometer-approved critic, Shannon writes about everything (but not anything) across entertainment, tech, social good, science, and culture. Especially Australian horror.


Recommended For You

More in Entertainment


Save on groceries at Amazon: Get $5 off when you spend $20
Amazon groceries on green and yellow abstract background

This baby shower season, Target is tacking $30 gift cards onto $100 diaper and wipes purchases
Parent changing baby on table and grabbing wipe with hand


Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 11, 2025
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 11, 2025
Wordle game on a smartphone

'Black Mirror' fans, be warned: DO NOT start with 'Common People'
Chris O'Dowd and Rashida Jones star in "Black Mirror: Common People."

NYT Strands hints, answers for April 11
A game being played on a smartphone.

The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!