Alex Garland’s Films Ranked: From Flops to Favourites

Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just vaguely familiar, Alex Garland’s name is hard to ignore in the world of contemporary science fiction. His work stands out for its bold ideas and mature storytelling, drawing punters back to the cinema time and again. Garland’s career has taken a few unexpected turns—starting out as a novelist, then making a name as a screenwriter, and eventually stepping behind the camera as a director. With another film, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, set to hit screens in January 2026, it’s a good time to look back and see how his films stack up.

Misses and Mainstream Moves

Garland’s only real stumble came with Men (2022). He wrote and directed this horror flick, aiming to tackle themes of misogyny and toxic masculinity. Jessie Buckley puts in a solid shift as the lone woman surrounded by unsettling blokes, but the film’s message never digs much deeper than ‘men can be awful’. The social commentary feels a bit thin, though the horror elements do land, especially in the final act. Still, strong visuals and a creepy vibe can’t quite save it from feeling a bit hollow.

Next up is Civil War (2024), which some might find a controversial pick. This is Garland at his most accessible, blending blockbuster action with his trademark storytelling. The film is relentless—full of violence, shocking images, and a sense of growing numbness. As the story unfolds, hope fades, and Garland doesn’t offer any easy answers. That’s the point, really. The film reflects a world already divided and on edge, making for uncomfortable but necessary viewing.

Finding His Feet

With Dredd (2012), Garland is officially credited as the screenwriter, but many reckon it’s his unofficial directorial debut. Set in a grim future city, Karl Urban’s Judge Dredd is all business, dishing out justice in a corrupt world. The story is kept tight, most of the action taking place in a single tower block. While it loses some of the comic’s sharp satire, it makes up for it with pace and punchy action.

Warfare (2025), co-directed with Ray Mendoza, is a raw anti-war film. Told in real time, it throws viewers into the chaos of combat, showing how quickly things can go from bad to worse. There’s no sugar-coating here—no comforting soundtrack or time jumps, just the brutal reality of battle. It’s a tribute to soldiers, but also a clear warning about the true cost of war.

Emotional Depth and Sci-Fi Ambition

Garland penned the script for Never Let Me Go (2010), a gentle, emotional adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel. The film follows three friends as they come to terms with their grim fate. The performances are top-notch, but the film doesn’t quite pack the emotional punch of the book, holding back when it should hit hardest.

Sunshine (2007) is one of Garland’s most ambitious efforts. The first half is thoughtful and moving, while the second half shifts into action-thriller territory. Cillian Murphy leads a cast of astronauts on a mission to reignite the dying sun. The film explores big questions about faith, science, and humanity’s place in the universe, with Garland’s writing shining through.

Garland’s Standouts

Now for the cream of the crop. Ex Machina (2014) marked Garland’s directorial debut and made a big impression. Set in a sleek, isolated mansion, the film explores artificial intelligence and what it means to be human. The writing is sharp, the performances are strong, and the visual effects are top-notch. It’s a tense, thought-provoking watch that still feels relevant in the age of AI.

28 Years Later (2025) brings back the world of the infected, nearly three decades after the original outbreak. Garland’s script delves into generational trauma and the cost of survival. The film balances intense action with deeper themes of hope, loss, and what it means to keep going when everything’s fallen apart.

Annihilation (2018) is Garland at his most daring. Inspired by Jeff VanderMeer’s novel, the film is a surreal journey into grief, mutation, and self-destruction. It’s visually stunning and open to interpretation, refusing to offer easy answers. That risk pays off, making it a modern sci-fi classic.

Finally, 28 Days Later (2002) remains Garland’s crowning achievement. The film redefined the zombie genre, focusing on people rather than monsters. The script is lean and powerful, turning every moment into something urgent and real. It’s hard to imagine Garland ever topping this perfectly balanced, deeply human story.