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'Atropia' Review: Alia Shawkat Trains Troops Assigned to a Fake Iraqi Town in a Self-Reflexive War Comedy That Peters Out


Published on 2025-01-26 23:24:18 - MSN
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  • Based on her 2020 short "Shako Mako," Hailey Gates writes and directs "Atropia," a unique war satire about western views of the Middle East. While both its lampooning of U.S. militarism and its central character drama lack follow-through,

"Atropia," a film directed by Scott Cummings, features Alia Shawkat as a military trainer in a mock Iraqi town in California, designed to prepare soldiers for deployment. The movie blends dark comedy with a critique of military training methods, showcasing the surreal and often absurd nature of preparing for war in a controlled, artificial environment. Despite its promising setup and Shawkat's compelling performance, the film struggles to maintain its momentum, ultimately petering out as it fails to fully explore its themes or deliver a satisfying narrative arc. The review highlights the film's initial intrigue and its attempt at self-reflexive commentary on war and simulation, but notes that it lacks the depth and development needed to leave a lasting impact.

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