Movies are designed to entertain us — to make us laugh, to inform us, to scare us, to make us feel something. Every film we see takes us on some sort of journey. “Warfare” does just that. Written and directed by Iraq War Veteran Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland, director of “Civil War,” “Warfare” embeds audiences with a U.S. Navy platoon. When their operation goes wrong, the only way out is together.
The film is a visceral, boots-on-the-ground story of modern war, told like never before: in real-time and based on the memory of the people who were there. As “Warfare” actor Will Poulter described it, “This will be one of the most important and poignant things we’ll ever do.”
Following an advance screening and meeting Mendoza, military spouse and Team RWB employee, Jodie Merkle, was so taken by the film, she felt compelled to email him.
“Hi Ray,” she writes, “I’ll be at the LA premiere tonight with my veterans, but since l’m driving a few from Orange County, I won’t be able to attend the after-party. I truly appreciate the invite.” She continues,
I know you’ll be busy tonight, so I wanted to take a moment to share a few thoughts. Our conversation in Georgetown was a blur for me—my reaction to the film caught me off guard. Warfare hit me like a gut punch.”
I’ve been with my husband, Chris, for 25 years. When he deployed to Iraq in 2002, he was the life of the party — everyone wanted to be around him. But when he came home, it was like someone turned off the lights. He was angry, paranoid, and constantly on edge. Crowds and noise irritated him. He had to sit in the back of movie theaters so no one was behind him, face the front door at restaurants, and plan exit strategies for something as simple as story time at Barnes & Noble with the kids. Living in a constant state of fear was exhausting for our entire family. He could snap at any moment, and I was always prepared — to lock a car door, to step between him and someone else.
Over the years, my patience wore thin, and resentment crept in. I wasn’t always kind about it, and that’s why I broke down the way I did during the screening. Chris never talks about Iraq or Afghanistan — just the occasional funny story about the guys or the locals. I never truly knew how bad it was until I saw Warfare. When the lights came on in the theater, all I wanted to do was call Chris and apologize. Apologize for not being more understanding, for my impatience, for the fights I started, for the things I said out of frustration. I just didn’t know. I didn’t know how bad it really was.
The morning after the screening, I flew home to California and told Chris about the film, my reaction, and our conversation. After 23 years, he finally shared his story with me. It was a conversation that needed to happen, but neither of us knew where to start — until now.
Thank you, and thanks to everyone involved, for sharing your stories. I know you made this film for Elliot, but it feels like you made it for people like me, too. Because I watched “Warfare,” I understand more. And I hope other spouses, parents, siblings, and loved ones will watch it and gain that same understanding.
Wishing you all the success in the world — with this film and beyond.
Best,
Jodie Merkle
A powerful testimony about a powerful film; “Warfare” is now playing in IMAX and theaters everywhere.