Could an American civil war happen again? It’s something US citizens have feared for a while as a result of a polarised political climate, and now they’re about to see their fears play out on screen.

That’s right: aptly named Civil War, the movie offers up a fictional – but all too real – version of the USA that has been torn apart from within. So much so, in fact, that the states of California and Texas have seceded from the nation to form the Western Forces… and war has been declared.

Watch the trailer for Civil War below

It seems all too apt that A24 is releasing this one in 2024, aka the same year the country is set to vote in another tense presidential election.

If you’re keen to learn more, read on; we have everything you need to know about Civil War ahead of its much-anticipated release in cinemas.

What is Civil War about?

As per the official synopsis, Civil War rockets us forwards through time to a dystopian version of real-world America. There, a team of military-embedded journalists race against time to reach Washington, DC, before rebel factions descend upon the White House.

Who stars in Civil War?

Kirsten Dunst leads the cast of Civil War, alongside Wagner Moura, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Cailee Spaeny, Nick Offerman, Jesse Plemons, and Sonoya Mizuno.

Alexa Mansour, Jefferson White, Karl Glusman, Juani Feliz, Nelson Lee, and Jojo T Gibbs round out the rest of this starry ensemble.

What are people saying about Civil War?

“The viewer is required to make their own interpretation,” explains director Alex Garland via his recent EW interview. 

“The Civil War narrative feels like a big anxiety right now,” he continues. “I wrote it four years ago, and between then and now I hear this particular anxiety expressed a lot in the media, from the mouths of politicians, and even from the mouths of friends. It’s just in the ether.”

When and where can we watch Civil War?

The dramatic thriller will air in UK cinemas from 12 April. 

Will you be watching?

Images: A24