The following contains spoilers for Warfare, now playing in theatersWarfare is dedicated to Elliott Miller, a real-life Navy SEAL who was severely injured in the battle that inspired the film. Unlike many other war movies, Warfare doesn’t divert from real events to tell a story. Instead, the film is as realistic as possible, something that was an overt goal for co-directors Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza. Mendoza was also present at the battle as a communications officer, working to help coordinate his allies during the chaos of battle while also tending to one of the injured soldiers.
The most severe injuries a Navy SEAL faces in the film all happen to Elliott Miller. Played by Cosmo Jarvis, Elliott is the platoon’s sniper whose survival (along fellow wounded soldier Sam) becomes the central drive for their immediate retreat. Miller really did suffer those injuries in real life, but his full recovery wasn’t shown in the film. Here’s what happened to Elliott Miller after the ending of Warfare and what he thinks of the film.
Warfare Is Dedicated To Elliott Miller, One Of The Navy SEALs The Movie Is About
Elliott Miller Is Given A Dedication During The Credits Of Warfare
Warfare is dedicated to Elliott Miller, one of the Navy SEALs at the center of the film’s plot, who was seriously injured in the firefight that inspired the film. Miller is a corpsman and lead sniper for the Navy SEAL group designated as Alpha One. When Miller is injured by a grenade, the platoon sets up a medical evacuation. However, an IED destroyed their transport, killed their two Iraqi allies, and severely injured Miller and the platoon’s medic, Sam.
After Alpha One and Two reunite, they’re able to evacuate both men as well as their entire platoon successfully. The film was dedicated to Miller by his former platoon-mate (and co-director on Warfare) Ray Mendoza, as it was their experience together and their fight for his survival that inspired the film. As a result of the severity and nature of his injuries, Miller reportedly has very little memory of the battle itself. This was actually one of Mendoza’s motivations for making the film in the first place, to show him what they all experienced together.
What Happened To The Real Elliott Miller After Warfare’s Story
Miller Is Still Alive, But Uses A Wheelchair To Move And An AAC Device To Communicate
Image via A24
Just as in Warfare, Elliott Miller was severely injured during the firefight in Iraq but was saved by his platoon. The abrupt nature of the film’s ending doesn’t fully explain what happened to Miller, although footage of the real-life Navy SEAL confirms for the audience that he did survive. The IED blast severely injured his left leg and one of his arms, as well as burned over half of his body. The blast also caused a traumatic brain injury. Miller spent four weeks in a coma. Elliott did eventually recover, although he has been permanently changed by the incident.
After losing his left leg, Miller now uses a wheelchair to get around. As a result of his injuries, he’s also lost the ability to speak as he once did. Miller now uses an iPad as an AAC Device to communicate. However, he’s steadily recovered from those injuries. Miller even got the chance to visit the production of Warfare, clips of which appear during the final stretch of the film. While he must use a wheelchair, Miller was given a chance to see how realistic the set had become during production.
What The Real Elliott Miller Thinks Of Warfare
Elliott Miller Appreciates What Mendoza Went For With Warfare
Elliott Miller, as well as the other Navy SEALs who have spoken about Warfare, have been largely positive about the movie. During an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Mendoza recalled showing the film to the platoon. Mendoza recalled how “Elliott said he liked it, but [he] doesn’t remember what happened, so I think it was comforting for him to hear from all the other guys that it was about as accurate as we can get it because the film is about as complete of a memory he is going to have, and I think he was extremely grateful for that.”
Miller and Mendoza were also both at an early screening and Q&A for Warfare, where they expressed their admiration for one another and the bonds they still share.
Miller also told Entertainment Weekly via email that he “loved” the film and that he “will always have a family in the teammates I used to serve with!!” Miller and Mendoza were also both at an early screening and Q&A for Warfare, where they expressed their admiration for one another and the bonds they still share. While the injuries Elliott Miller sustained in the conflict still impact his life years after the events depicted in Warfare, his love for his brothers-in-arms remains as strong as ever as well.
Source: Entertainment Weekly
