Why is Jesse Plemons wearing red sunglasses in Civil War?

Kirsten Dunst and Wagner Moura may lead dystopian war thriller Civil War, but the film’s standout scene is carried by an unsettling appearance from Jesse Plemons.

Directed and written by Alex Garland, the film follows a team of photojournalists as they travel across the US to Washington D.C. during a civil war between an authoritarian government and various regional factions.

Other cast members include Cailee Spaeny, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Sonoya Mizuno, Nick Offerman, and Jefferson White.

Is there a reason why Jesse Plemons wears red sunglasses in Civil War?

Jesse Plemons, who plays a racist ultranationalist militant during an intense confrontation, is the reason why the red sunglasses made their way into his character’s costume.

Speaking to GQ, Civil War’s costume designer Meghan Kasperlik, said: “When Alex [Garland] and I spoke, he wanted Jesse’s character to be in a military uniform. There was no other discussions to it.

“Jesse brought the sunglasses to the fitting and asked what we thought… I was hesitant at first, as I did not want them to take away from the intensity of the scene.”

The glasses served as an opportunity to make the character “stand out”, while also, perhaps unintentionally, acting as a nod to the occasionally outlandish outfits worn by US extremists, as seen in the 2021 attack on the Capitol Building in Washington D.C.

“To me, the sunglasses should make the audience question everything about this character,” Kasperlik added. “Who is this man? Why is he wearing them? Did he remove them from a person before taking their life?”

How did his casting in the film come about?

Alex Garland had originally cast another actor to play the racist militant character, but after they pulled out, Kirsten Dunst suggested her husband Jesse Plemons should take the part.

“I was standing out on the street when I got the call and I thought, ‘Oh shit. Now, now we’re in trouble,” Garland told The LA Times. “And so I went to the rehearsal and said, ‘Bad news, guys, so and so can’t do it.’ And Kirsten said, ‘What? You should ask Jesse.’ And I thought, oh, that would be amazing.’”

He added: “It was a stunning bit of good luck. That makes it sound like I’m being disrespectful to the other actor. I’m not at all. It’s just the film was very lucky to get Jesse.”