Netflix’s Brutal New Hit Sci-Fi is Perfect For Impatient Reacher Fans

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Netflix’s new sci-fi film feels like a mix of Predator and Transformers, setting a high bar for itself. Directed by Patrick Hughes, War Machine subtly explores how technology changes warfare and diminishes the role of humans. The movie imagines a world where alien technology has made robots like the ED209 from RoboCop a reality, and they’ve come to Earth to prove humanity’s weakness against such powerful machines.

Alan Ritchson, currently popular for his role as the stoic and powerful Reacher, leads this action-packed sci-fi film. He’s joined by a mix of up-and-coming actors and seasoned veterans like Dennis Quaid, Esai Morales, and Jai Courtney. Ritchson delivers a similar, compelling performance to his work in Reacher, effectively carrying the film. While not perfect, the movie has a solid foundation and will likely satisfy fans eager to see more of Ritchson in action. It has some flaws, but it’s generally well-made.

Rating: 2.5/5

PROS CONS
Alan Ritcher does his Reacher act perfectly. It’s too long, and the pace struggles.
The robot villain is genuinely menacing. None of the other characters are built up enough that you care about them.
Big brutal action, if you like that sort of thing. Some of the dialogue is a little on the nose.

Why War Machine Works Best as a Reacher Replacement

Alan Ritchson perfectly embodies the physically imposing and intense Jack Reacher, and his performance is fueled by the deep pain of losing his brother (played by Jai Courtney). He’s a bit of a loner, often ridiculed or not understood by those around him, and while he’s a brilliant strategist, he’s also unpredictable and seemingly invincible. If you were casting the mysterious character 81 and had seen Reacher, Alan Ritchson would immediately spring to mind.

Alan Ritchson is gaining a lot of momentum, and while he’s proven he’s funny – especially in shows like Blue Mountain State – we’ll likely see more projects that showcase his ability to star in classic action roles. He’s physically imposing, and like the action heroes of the 80s and 90s, he’s also incredibly charismatic. His new film, War Machine, puts him in a role similar to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character in Predator, with a deadly alien robot hunting him and his team in the forests of North America.

This new movie throws our hero into a situation that feels impossible, just like what happened to Dutch. And the lead actor, Ritchson, absolutely nails the role – it’s funny because he actually holds back a bit with his performance! Honestly, if you’re like me and still missing Reacher, this is a really good way to fill that void. It’s just a bummer the movie as a whole isn’t quite as good as Reacher itself.

Where War Machine Falls Apart

Honestly, the biggest problem with War Machine for me is that it feels way too serious. It’s like they really leaned into Joe Ritchson’s performance and decided to slow everything down. We don’t even get to the awesome, *Predatorstyle action with the war-bot tearing things up until almost 40 minutes in! And with the movie being close to two hours long, a simple chase through the woods just feels drawn out. It leads to really awkward shifts in the story, and I kept finding myself wanting to look at the time.

If this movie had been about half an hour shorter, it could have been really exciting. Unfortunately, it spends too much time on filler, which is strange because it doesn’t use that time to develop the characters. Unlike in films like Predator and Aliens, where even the minor characters felt distinct, the people in this movie are barely developed, so when they die, it doesn’t really matter. There are so many of them, in fact, that their deaths lose their impact. The movie seems to be aiming for a statement about the senselessness of war by not giving the characters names, only referring to them by their military numbers, but it’s probably reaching a bit to say it succeeds.

The movie is worth watching for Alan Ritchson’s performance, especially seeing his Reacher-like character battle a huge robotic alien with limited weapons. It’s satisfying if you’re looking for that specific kind of action, but don’t expect a deeply memorable story. Have you seen War Machine? We’d love to hear your thoughts – share them in the comments and join the discussion in the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-03-09 17:41