Alex Garland’s Civil War presents a bleak and dark portrayal of a United States ravaged by war within its own borders. Towns are decimated, highways are abandoned, and humanity is relying on its basest instincts. Four war correspondents travel through the war-torn heartland to get an exclusive interview with the president.

This movie has two spotlights: the horrors of war and the passion for photography. As Lee and her team embed themselves on the frontline to take snapshots of the brutality of war, they play a neutral witness to the unspeakable atrocities. The movie doesn’t take a stance on which side we should be rooting for; instead, it shows two sides kill with great prejudice.

But there is one aspect of war that is absent in this movie. The faith community’s involvement is not evident. It begs the question, where are the churches and faith groups while this is happening? In World War II, we had Corrie Ten Boom using her house as a refuge for Jews, while Dietrich Bonhoeffer helped the Allies with their underground operation. In modern wars, churches often hold days of fasting and prayer, while humanitarian efforts strive to care for the wounded. From the Crusades to the Ukraine war, Chaplains have made themselves available to soldiers for counseling and care. Usually, spiritual revivals bring new life to the public as they seek an answer beyond meaningless violence.

Jesus said that the gates of Hell would not stand against his church. This will not come about through firefights and invasions, but through the powerful love of God expressed through his people.

Civil War’s removal of the faith community is a case for hope. When humanity has the urge to kill without abandon, the church is called to present the compassion and tenderness of God. The prayer services, non-profit programs, and the message of hope serve as a balm on the scars caused by war.

Civil War is a beautiful movie, rich with cleverly colored cinematography, but I thank God that we have these avenues of hope in the face of war. As long as we have a church, we have God’s mercy, compassion, and justice.