Some moviegoers have been critical of the promotional materials, which may not be featured in the actual film.

A24’s latest movie release, Civil War, stirred up buzz with its new marketing artwork unveiled on April 17. The series of posters depicted postapocalyptic scenes across major US cities ravaged by conflict, prompting mixed reactions among fans.

While some praised the bold imagery on Instagram with captions like “America the beautiful,” others criticized the use of AI-generated art, calling for traditional artists instead. Concerns were raised about the campaign potentially misleading viewers about the film’s content.

A24, in response to inquiries, emphasized that the images were inspired by the movie’s speculative premise, portraying the nationwide impact of its fictional war. With Civil War being the studio’s most expensive production to date at $50 million, the intention was to extend the film’s thematic exploration into social media with dystopian realism.

Directed by Alex Garland, Civil War follows military-embedded journalists racing to Washington D.C. ahead of impending rebel attacks on the White House. Despite controversies, actress Kirsten Dunst hopes the film fosters dialogue and empathy, urging viewers to see beyond media-driven polarization.