"Alex Garland's 'Civil War' Thriller Sparks Controversy and Critical Acclaim"

Writer-director Alex Garland's thriller "Civil War" premiered at SXSW, depicting a dystopian near future where the US is torn apart by civil war. The film, starring Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons, received initial rave reviews and offers a cautionary warning about the destructive endpoint of polarization. Garland intentionally leaves the political connections vague, aiming for the film to spark conversation and allow viewers to apply their own understanding of polarization to the story. The concept of a new American civil war is not a radical one, with a recent poll finding that 40% of Americans believe it's at least somewhat likely in the next 10 years.