Warfare Discussion with Pedro Lima

In this episode, I’m joined by film critic Pedro Lima to break down A24’s Warfare, directed by Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland. This real-time Iraq War film drops you into the chaos and confusion of one fateful night, and Pedro and I dive into what worked, what didn’t, and why it’s already one of my most talked-about films of 2025.Warfare tells the story of a U.S. Navy SEAL team’s mission on November 19, 2006, in Ramadi, Iraq. Co-directed by Garland and Mendoza (who was there), it plays out in real time as a tribute to the soldiers who lived it.What's The Movie About?Warfare tells the story of a U.S. Navy SEAL team’s mission on November 19, 2006, in Ramadi, Iraq. Co-directed by Garland and Mendoza (who was there), it plays out in real time as a tribute to the soldiers who lived it.Support Austin B MediaIf you enjoyed this podcast, consider joining my Patreon.Members get:Early access to reviews and podcasts ($10 members get unedited episodes)Exclusive monthly Film Club, where we watch a movie and discuss it together on ZoomCommunity polls to help choose what I cover nextBehind-the-scenes research notesJoin here and help shape the future of Austin B Media!Chapters00:00 - Intro02:45 - Film Critique and Recommendations05:33 - Discussion on Restorations and Classic Films07:54 - Wes Anderson and Christopher Nolan Films11:11 - David Lynch and Twin Peaks15:34 - Initial Thoughts on Warfare23:03 - Comparing Warfare to Other War Films28:02 - Performances in Warfare32:43 - Criticisms of Warfare34:15 - Critique on the Film's Tagline and Realism35:27 - Technical Elements: Direction, Cinematography, and Sound37:41 - Sound Design and Its Impact40:08 - Rating the Film41:33 - Spoiler Warning42:09 - Impactful Plot Points and Action Scenes47:08 - Portrayal of Warfare and Its Psychological Effects53:53 - Ending and Real-Life Connections57:32 - Final Thoughts and Conversations01:01:23 - Podcast Wrap-up and FarewellWhere to Watch WarfareYou can watch Warfare via digital rental platforms and may still be in limited theatrical release through A24.Where to Find Our RecommendationsPedro’s Picks:Little Murders (1971, dir. Alan Arkin) — Available on The Criterion ChannelFour Nights of a Dreamer (dir. Robert Bresson) — Currently streaming on MUBITwin Peaks — Coming to MUBI (June 13)My Picks:The French Dispatch – Streaming on MaxIsle of Dogs – Streaming on Disney+Doodlebug (Christopher Nolan short) - Available on The Criterion ChannelFollowing (Christopher Nolan's debut) — On MUBIRetrograde (Matthew Heineman) — Streaming on Disney+ and HuluWhere to Follow Me⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Letterboxd⁠TikTokThreads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTubeWhere to Follow Pedro⁠Pedro’s Letterboxd⁠Until next time!