Netflix’s War Machine is the kind of action movie that arrives with very little hype and even lower expectations. Patrick Hughes continues his relationship with Netflix after The Man from Toronto, and this time is coming with a sci-fi actioner. He co-wrote it with James Beaufort, and it stars Alan Ritchson. Surprisingly, it isn’t nearly as bad as it initially looks. The core concept alone has enough B-movie appeal to grab attention: Alan Ritchson going head-to-head with a massive alien machine. It’s the sort of straightforward, pulpy idea that could easily collapse under its own silliness, but the film’s commitment to relentless pacing keeps things moving.
From the start, the movie barrels forward at a rapid pace, delivering brutal and visceral action sequences that often feel raw and chaotic in a way that works for the genre. The visual effects are surprisingly strong most of the time. It gives the alien machine an intimidating presence, though there are moments where the VFX suddenly dip in quality and break the illusion.
One area where the film genuinely shines is editing, particularly in the first half. The action scenes are cut together sharply, maintaining tension and momentum without becoming incomprehensible. When the film leans into its high-intensity combat sequences, it can be genuinely gripping. Unfortunately, that’s also where most of its strengths end. Beneath the slick editing and aggressive pacing lies a very generic action movie with a paper-thin story. The plot unfolds exactly how you expect it to, rarely surprising the viewer and leaning heavily into familiar sci-fi action tropes. Predictability isn’t always a problem in this genre, but here it’s paired with a complete lack of depth.
Character development is practically nonexistent. The characters don’t even have actual names–they’re referred to only by numbers. While that might be intended as a thematic device, it ultimately creates distance between the audience and the people on screen. There’s little time spent understanding who these characters are, what motivates them, or why we should care if they survive. As a result, the emotional stakes remain flat throughout the movie.
Even Ritchson, who has the physical presence to anchor this kind of film, struggles to make his character compelling in the first half. He comes off as oddly unlikable at times, and the script rarely gives him opportunities to showcase the kind of charismatic, badass moments audiences expect. Instead, the film focuses almost entirely on his raw physical capabilities rather than his tactical skill or personality. We have seen him show his acting capabilities in Ordinary Angels, which was also produced by Lionsgate. But here he doesn’t have too much to do apart from running and fighting.
The supporting cast doesn’t fare much better. Jai Courtney and Dennis Quaid are both present but feel largely wasted, with very little meaningful material to work with. Their characters exist mostly to move the plot along rather than contribute anything memorable. The same lack of effort applies to the villain itself. The central threat is simply a massive machine supposedly from another planet, but the film never bothers to explore its origins, motivations, or even basic lore. It’s just there to be fought, which makes the conflict feel hollow despite the spectacle.
Even 81’s motivation to join the Rangers is so lazily executed, and you can feel the complete lack of effort in the script. The direction also fails to elevate the material. There’s nothing particularly distinctive about the filmmaking, and visually the movie often feels like it could belong to any number of interchangeable streaming action releases. The setup for the sequel is hardly exciting, but Ritchson’s pull in this genre may get it greenlit.
War Machine ultimately blends into the long list of forgettable Netflix genre offerings. It’s not a disaster, and its fast pace and intense action may satisfy viewers looking for a quick adrenaline fix. But the lack of story, character development, and originality keeps it firmly in the realm of disposable entertainment. Like many streaming action movies, War Machine will likely arrive, generate brief curiosity, and then quietly fade away.
