*Spoiler Alert: Contains spoilers for the movie Civil War*
Alex Garland’s Civil War is undeniably a challenging film to watch. Through its fictional lens, it effectively captures the looming horror that threatens both the nation and the world, offering a stark portrayal of a potential reality. With its intense scenes filled with blood, fog, flying bullets, and rockets, the movie is worthy of all attention.
Now interestingly, while it was indeed difficult to watch for the viewers, the cast and crew experienced even more harrowing moments portraying the characters and telling the story. Lead actress Kirsten Dunst, along with co-star Wagner Moura, beautifully portrays their roles, with the Narcos star revealing in an interview the most challenging aspect of the experience.
The Civil War Scene That Broke Wagner Moura’s Heart
In the film, Kirsten Dunst takes on the role of Lee, a seasoned photojournalist who, alongside photographers Wagner Moura and Cailee Spaeny, is on a journey to document ongoing conflicts and the nation’s devastation. Although the movie is intense, in the final moments of the film, particularly in the last 30 minutes, the story specifically takes a dramatic turn.
As Lee, played by Dunst, bravely leaps to save her colleague, embracing death in the process, the intensity reaches a whole new level. While the terror of the surrounding chaos was bone-chilling to shoot for Moura and the rest of the cast, Lee’s sacrificial act marked a tipping point for the actor. The Narcos star in an interview with Variety revealed,
“When her character died, it really kind of broke my heart because I was so used to having Kirsten every day with me in that journey,–From that point on, we’d have to shoot without her like an extra week. And I remember telling her that this is not gonna be the same without her. She was really the heart of the movie.”
And Kristen Dunst truly shines as Lee in the film, showcasing the character’s complexities with finesse. She skillfully balances Lee’s strength and vulnerability, offering viewers a glimpse into her internal conflicts. Overall, Dunst’s authentic and nuanced performance humanizes Lee, making her a relatable presence on screen.
Kristen Dunst Explains Her Character’s Death in Civil War
The conclusion of the film left audiences speechless, sparking numerous questions and debates. One such debate centered around who was responsible for Kirsten Dunst’s character the Western Forces or the federal government?
Although Cailee Spaeny’s character can most certainly deemed responsible for Lee’s death, the question still remains. Thus, to explain in detail what really happened and clarify the outcome, Dunst in the same Variety conversation stated,
“It was definitely fired from the president’s Oval Office,–What happened was that I know when to cross and when not to cross with the soldiers when they fire. I know the signals and how to read them. You just know when it’s time to move and when it’s time not to. That’s something that Cailee’s character Jessie obviously does not know.”
Another debated topic on the internet revolved around Nick Offerman’s role as the president, which bore a striking resemblance to a certain former president that many could easily guess. But Dunst cleared the air on that too stating on an separate conversation with Variety,
“It’s just a fascist president. But I didn’t think about Nick’s character being any certain political figure,–I just thought this is this president, in this world, who will not abide by the Constitution and democracy.”
Overall, the movie is undoubtedly a must-watch, surprising audiences with its bone-chilling visuals and intriguing storyline. It has garnered significant attention for its bold stance on pressing issues without making any political commentary.
