Civil War (2024) sets itself up as a razor-sharp social thriller, weaving intense rural political tensions with biting commentary on a fractured society. The first two acts are undeniably gripping, with palpable dread and characters that feel unnervingly real. But then, just as it builds to what should be a shattering climax, the film veers off a cliff with an ending so lazy and insulting it feels like a betrayal of everything it promised. It’s as if the writers abandoned their vision for a cheap melodramatic cop-out. While the setup is brilliant, the payoff is a letdown so severe it’s hard to recommend.