‘War Machine’ First Reactions Praise Netflix’s Alan Ritchson Sci-Fi Action Movie

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Jack Reacher, the popular action hero, might face his toughest challenge yet in the new film. Early reviews describe it as a powerful, old-school action movie packed with intensity. A new clip hints that Reacher’s usual training won’t be enough to overcome a formidable, mysterious mechanical enemy.

War Machine has a simple but exciting premise – pure action movie entertainment, and early reactions suggest it delivers just that. Starring Calum Ritchson as Candidate 81, the film follows a team of recruits thrown into a dangerous, life-or-death situation reminiscent of both Predator and War of the Worlds. The story unfolds during the last 24 hours of an incredibly challenging selection program, where Ritchson’s character, a combat engineer, must lead his unit against a massive, alien threat.

Details about this massive, mysterious threat – is it an alien attack or a top-secret government experiment? – are still unknown. But the latest clip from War Machine hints at the danger to come, starting with explosive action before revealing the imposing metallic creature. You can watch it below.

Early reviews of War Machine are in, and it’s now available in Australia before its wider release on Netflix. AU Review described the film as a strong, classic action movie reminiscent of past macho action films.

War Machine is over-the-top, energetic, and doesn’t take itself too seriously – and it knows it! It’s a fun, action-packed game that openly embraces its inspirations. In a world of overly serious sci-fi and games that play it safe, that honesty is a breath of fresh air.

Get ready for a wild ride, and don’t worry about things making sense! Sometimes, all you need is some good, mindless fun to get the job done.

I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised by War Machine. Jordan and Eddie really hit the nail on the head – this Australian production genuinely holds its own against big-budget Hollywood action films. Yes, it’s not exactly Shakespeare – it’s pretty straightforward and doesn’t delve into complex themes – but it’s a wildly entertaining debut for the Hughes-Ritchson team. And World of Screens summed it up perfectly: for a solid 100 minutes, it’s just pure, adrenaline-fueled fun. It’s a classic blockbuster, the kind of movie that guys (and let’s be honest, plenty of others) will shout ‘Hell yeah!’ at. If you’re looking for a no-nonsense action flick, this is it.


Ben King/ © Netflix /Courtesy Everett Collection

Patrick Hughes, who directed, co-produced, and co-wrote films like The Expendables 3 and The Hitman’s Bodyguard, is behind the new film War Machine. The movie features a strong cast including Dennis Quaid (known from The Day After Tomorrow and Reagan), Stephan James (If Beale Street Could Talk), Jai Courtney (Suicide Squad), Esai Morales (Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning), Blake Richardson (Mystery Road), Keiynan Lonsdale (from the Divergent series), and Daniel Webber (Billy the Kid), along with Ritchson. War Machine will premiere on Netflix on March 6, 2026, and the official story details are available below.




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I’m so excited about this story! It’s about an Army Ranger – a combat engineer, specifically – who’s facing the ultimate test during training. Imagine leading your team against something completely unreal – a massive, deadly machine from another world! It’s a brutal, final mission that will push him and his unit to their absolute limits.

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2026-03-02 19:18