War movies often give audiences a rush, making them feel like armchair warriors. Films like "Saving Private Ryan," "Full Metal Jacket," and "Apocalypse Now" provide such a vivid experience that viewers may believe they now comprehend the essence of war. However, the real experience of war, with its chaos, terror, and unspeakable horror can only be witnessed by those who have been through it. In 1979, Francis Ford Coppola, during the premiere of “Apocalypse Now," stated, “My film is not a movie. My film is not about Vietnam. It is Vietnam." While this is a poetic perspective, it's far from reality.

A similar sentiment echoes in the war film "Warfare," set in the Iraq War in November 2006. Co-directed by Alex Garland and Iraq War veteran Ray Mendoza, the movie aims to emulate the reality of war through real experiences of soldiers. The film, based on true events, attempts to recreate the uniform's perspective on the battlefield.

"Warfare" narrative, however, is quite different. It dives right into the heart of the action without any plot points, scripted conversations, or character development. Just like real warfare, the movie is chaotic and unpredictable. The audience follows a team of Navy SEALs in an empty residential neighborhood in Ramadi Province, Iraq, on a mission to ensure safe passage of ground troops.

The first half hour of the film is filled with military jargon and the monotony of waiting and planning. Unlike other war films, "Warfare" stays unpredictable and minimalist. Despite these traits, the film captures the reality of warfare, showing the real thing, stripped of drama and cinematic excitement.

The action eventually commences when the insurgents discover the SEALs location and throw a grenade through a hole in the wall they were spying from. This escalates to an extraction plan utilizing a Bradley Fighting Vehicle and smoke for cover. As the soldiers make their escape, an IED explodes signaling the onset of the chaos of war.

While "Warfare" might be lauded for its immersive experience, it also suffers from a detachment as it lacks the character development typical of most war films. Despite this, the film is meant for viewers to experience the brute reality of war, not just its entertainment value.

"Warfare" not only captures the horrors of war but also the nightmares of the aftermath. The suffering of wounded soldiers, deliberately shown in graphic detail, is shocking. Yet, this is the reality of war that is often missing from the entertainment-focused war films.

To label "Warfare" as an "anti-war" movie would be simplistic. It captures a particular experience from the Iraq War with an incredibly detailed and virtual approach. The film might not cater to a broad audience due to its raw treatment of combat, but it certainly achieves what it set out to do: de-glamorize the romantic image of war and bring audiences face-to-face with its brutal reality.