Given the country’s divisive politics, a second civil war seems plausible, inevitable even. But even though Civil War, the film, takes place in this kind of world, its main focus is on the four journalists who race through the country to get the scoop on a fascist president who’s bound to be ousted anytime soon. We only get hints at the specific causes and developments of the war, but what we do get is an unsettlingly close look at the human toll of it, as well as the realities of reportage—crushing PTSD, ethical responsibilities, and all. It’s a brilliant movie if you set your expectations right.

That Jesse Plemmons cameo will chill you to your core. But if that won’t do it, then the ending will. If at any point you feel like Civil War is the type of film that takes way too long to deliver its message, then the ending will knock you on the head with a satisfying pay-off.