Written and directed by Alex Garland, Civil War is a dystopian action film that explores the rapidly escalating Second American Civil War which has consumed the entire nation. In the film, Nick Offerman plays the role of the President of the United States, which has become a dystopian dictatorship.
During the film’s premiere, Offerman spoke about the lack of political clarity in the film and cited it as a major strength of the film. However, Offerman’s comments about the film lacking any political point of view directly contradict the themes and basic premise of the film. Here is what Offerman said about the film and why his statement is wilder than some of the events in the Civil War.
Nick Offerman Shares His Thoughts On the Politics in Alex Garland’s Civil War
In Alex Garland’s Civil War, the states of Texas and California, which have been political polar opposites team up during the Second American Civil War. Meanwhile, Nick Offerman‘s President also has an important role in the conflict.
During the film’s recent premiere, Offerman was asked about the lack of clear division between the political ideas in the film. In response, Offerman stated:
“There are really not any politics in the movie.”
Offerman added that the film does not specify which side in the conflict is meant to represent the Democrats and Republicans. The Parks and Recreation star added that what matters the most is that the nation is in the midst of a Civil War and must face the dire consequences of the same.
“I love that it transcends any kind of partisanship.”
Offerman made the above statement referencing the absence of well-defined political ideologies in the film. However, Offerman’s comment contradicts the very idea of a film focusing on a Civil War, which is inherently political in nature. At the same time, the California and Texas alliance in the film also strongly hints at the state of politics in a dystopian America.
Nick Offerman Addresses California and Texas Becoming Allies in Alex Garland’s Civil War
In a separate conversation at the film’s premiere, Offerman was also asked about the alliance between California and Texas. Offerman addressed the plot point by stating that he felt the alliance served several purposes in the story but mainly represented the film’s detachment from real-world politics.
“I think that serves a few purposes but one of them is to immediately say this is clearly not where we are. Like this is not supposed to represent the world as it is but I think it also serves to say the way the world is working these days.”
Offerman added that while anything is possible in the modern era, it was safe to say California and Texas weren’t going to team up anytime soon. As a result, depicting the two states as allies in the Civil War helped distance the film from real-world politics.
As a result, Offerman argued that the Alex Garland directorial wasn’t meant as a social commentary on the present political climate in the USA, especially amidst the upcoming Presidential elections. Aside from Offerman, Civil War also stars Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, Cailee Spaeny, and Stephen McKinley Henderson, in pivotal roles.
Civil War is scheduled for a theatrical release on April 12, 2024.
