Film Review: ‘War Game’ Captivatingly Depicts Six Hours Meant to Potentially Save Democracy

Nobody needs to be reminded of what it was like on January 6th, 2021. A violent insurrection attempted to prevent the peaceful certification of a presidential election. It was awful. However, it could have been way worse. So, how do those responsible for making sure that never happens prepare for the worst case scenarios. Well, they simulate it and practice. The new documentary War Game gives us a front row seat to one such exercise, with riveting results.

War Game is a captivating look at what might happen during a pivotal six hours in American democracy. Seeing another insurrection play out from all ends is illuminating not just in terms of the how, but the why as well. We see many a serious conversation about the pros and cons of a given action. If this is an accurate look at how our leaders handle a crisis, it’s possible we’re in better hands than it seems sometimes.

The film is a look at a role play exercise of another attempted insurrection. Organizing a bipartisan group of US officials from the defense and intelligence fields, as well as former elected policymakers from five different presidential administrations, they’re brought together to see how we might save democracy. One side is operating the hopeful coup, while the other is in the situation room, trying to keep a hold on America itself.

Steve Bullock plays a fictional President of the United States, while his advisors include Wesley Clark and Heidi Heitkamp. They’re faced with a political coup backed by rogue members of the US military after a contested 2024 presidential election won by Bullock’s character. Over six hours, they have to prevent chaos, while the other side utilizes all manner of technology to muddle the waters. It’s as tense as a thriller, just with stakes that can’t help but prove hauntingly real.

Part of the reason this works so well is that the players take it seriously. Former Montana Governor Steve Bullock actually ran for President, so he seems to understand the gravitas of the situation. Former General Wesley Clark ran for the highest office in the land as well, though his expertise in the military end of it all winds up leading to some surprisingly peaceful observations. Former North Dakota Senator Heidi Heitkamp plays Bullock’s chief advisor and her immediacy often jolts conversations into overdrive. As a political junkie, watching this was like documentary crack.

Directors Tony Gerber and Jesse Moss lucked into some very compelling players, but the filmmakers just step back after helping set the game, observing how the scenario would play out. They set it up so it both feels like watching actors in a thriller as well as actual officials grappling with the worst day possible. There’s a soft touch here, boosted by strong editing and smooth pacing. Gerber and Moss make War Game thrilling, without question, but they never paper over the potential stakes.

War Game will leave you shaken but also potentially hopeful. If we can prepare for the worst, it’s possible that we could be at our best if such a moment happens again. Some might find the January 6th of it all triggering, but it plays as much like a thriller as a political science course. I was riveted from start to finish and I think you will be too!

SCORE: ★★★1/2