24’s upcoming war film Warfare, co-created by former Navy SEAL Ray Mendoza and acclaimed director Alex Garland, brings an unprecedented level of realism to the big screen. Unlike traditional war movies, Warfare unfolds in real-time, closely mirroring a 90-minute period during a 2006 mission in Ramadi, Iraq. The film premieres in theaters on April 11, 2025.

The story follows a SEAL platoon tasked with supporting U.S. Marines in Ramadi. As they take over an Iraqi family’s home to monitor insurgent activity, their position comes under attack. The film never strays beyond the block where the operation takes place, offering an immersive and intense experience.

Instead of the usual disclaimer “Based on a true story,” Warfare opens with: “This film uses only their memories.” Mendoza and Garland meticulously reconstructed the events by interviewing Mendoza’s fellow SEALs, cross-referencing their accounts, and reviewing old photos and videos.

The film stars D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai as Mendoza, alongside an ensemble cast including Cosmo Jarvis, Will Poulter, Kit Connor, Finn Bennett, Taylor John Smith, Michael Gandolfini, Adain Bradley, Noah Centineo, Evan Holtzman, Henry Zaga, Jose Quinn, and Charles Melton.

Beyond authenticity, Warfare serves a personal purpose: it is dedicated to Elliot Miller, a SEAL teammate who suffered a traumatic brain injury during the mission. Mendoza created the film to help Miller understand what happened that day—something he couldn’t remember after waking from a coma.

Mendoza also hopes Warfare will bridge the gap between those who serve and their loved ones, offering a visceral glimpse into the realities of war. As he puts it:

“If you choose to go to war, this is what it looks like. And it’s our young men who fight it.”

With its real-time storytelling, intense realism, and emotional depth, Warfare promises to be one of the most authentic and gripping war films of the decade.