Brotherhood, Brutality, and Realism: Terzel Ron Interviews the Cast of A24’s Warfare

In a raw and revealing conversation, journalist Terzel Ron from The Knockturnal sat down with the cast of A24’s Warfare, the gritty, immersive war film co-directed by Alex Garland and former Navy SEAL Ray Mendoza. With its unflinching portrayal of a real 2006 mission during the Iraq War, Warfare is less about glorifying combat and more about exposing the emotional and physical toll of it.

Sitting across from Kit Connor, D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Charles Melton, Will Poulter, Joseph Quinn, Cosmo Jarvis, and Noah Centineo it was easy to immediately sense the bond they formed during production. Many of them completed a three-and-a-half-week Navy SEAL-style boot camp that included shaved heads, shared quarters, and intense tactical drills.

“We didn’t just act like a platoon—we became one,” said Kit Connor, who plays Tommy. “That boot camp broke us down and built something real.”

The cast shared stories of early wake-up calls, emotional breakdowns, and the unlikely anthem that got them through it all: Eric Prydz’s “Call on Me.” That phrase became so meaningful, several of them—including Connor, Centineo, and Woon-A-Tai—got it tattooed.

Will Poulter, who plays Erik, reflected on the film’s intensity: “It’s not performative. It’s about procedural truth. We wanted to get as close as possible to what these men lived through.”

As we spoke, it became clear this was more than just another war movie. Warfare strips away Hollywood polish to tell a story rooted in camaraderie, trauma, and the complex aftermath of violence. The cast didn’t just play soldiers—they carried their stories.

With Warfare hitting theaters April 11, it’s not just a film—it’s a mission, and these actors carried it out with fearless authenticity. Check out the full interview above.