--- title: "War Machine: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/war-machine/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/war-machine" critics_score: 61 critics_reviews: 13 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # War Machine (2026): what the critics said Critics' score 61 from 13 reviews: 6 positive, 6 mixed, 1 negative. Most critics land between mild approval and a shrug. They agree War Machine is a throwback to the muscular science-fiction action films of the 1980s, Predator above all, and that it knows exactly what it is. The praise clusters around the action: practical stunts, real locations and one or two set-pieces, including a chase several reviews single out. Alan Ritchson’s physical presence is credited almost everywhere, and a few find more in the performance than the script asks for. The reservations are about everything around the fighting. The story is called predictable and the characters thin almost across the board, and the villain is generic. The spread is wide. The New York Times is the one outright dismissal, finding the film exhausting and objecting to brutality passed off as character growth, and The Wrap shares the complaint about the pro-military stance while still enjoying the robot. Nobody argues it is clever; the argument is whether that matters. ## Empire — James Dyer Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 6 March 2026. The critic finds the film absurd on almost every level but unarguably entertaining as a big dumb fun '80s-style sci-fi action throwback. They single out the enthusiastic action sequences and Alan Ritchson's physical performance for praise. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/war-machine-2026/) ## RogerEbert.com — Monica Castillo Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 6 March 2026. The film starts like a stereotypical military movie but evolves into something much weirder and more entertaining with the introduction of a giant killer robot. The script is leaden and predictable outside its central twist, but the action and visuals deliver once it shifts gears. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/war-machine-alan-ritchson-netflix-film-review-2026) ## The AV Club — Caroline Siede Rating B-. 6 March 2026. The critic values the film's earnest, old-school military sci-fi tone that mixes classic Americana with brutal R-rated violence and practical action. It succeeds by not aiming too high and delivering familiar tropes with heart. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/war-machine-review) ## Radio Times — Jayne Nelson Rating 3/5. This is an enjoyable sci-fi actioner starring Alan Ritchson as a taciturn soldier fighting alien robots during a Rangers training exercise. It starts as a jingoistic military celebration but becomes a charming showcase of the lead's robust screen presence, though it revels in graphic gore. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-5a0vcy/war-machine/) ## Vulture Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 6 March 2026. The piece notes the film capitalizes on audience desire to see Ritchson fight a robot in a Predator-like setup but faults the thin characterization and lack of memorable supporting figures. It highlights gory action and Ritchson's physical presence. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/article/war-machine-netflix-movie-recap-review.html) ## The Guardian Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 6 March 2026. The film is a slick, unchallenging action thriller with better-than-usual streaming effects that makes for an easy Friday night watch. The critic praises the effective staging of some setpieces and super-sized special effects while complaining that the story is predictable with reheated action sequences and a generic alien antagonist. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/mar/06/war-machine-netflix) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Frank Scheck Fi1m's normalised score 52/100 (inferred from the text). 6 March 2026. The critic finds the film a generic sci-fi actioner whose one-note story and indistinguishable characters limit its appeal despite Alan Ritchson's presence. Hughes is praised for staging viscerally forceful action scenes with skill. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/war-machine-review-alan-ritchson-dennis-quaid-1236521853/) ## The New York Times — Robert Daniels Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 6 March 2026. A brawny sci-fi actioner that exhaustingly leans on militaristic brutality to inspire character growth, with a dull training montage and a lead performance lacking depth. The film concludes by fashioning itself into a tasteless recruitment video. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/06/movies/war-machine-review.html) ## /Film — Ben Pearson Fi1m's normalised score 78/100 (inferred from the text). 6 March 2026. The critic finds the film a sturdy, enjoyable sci-fi actioner centered on a solid Alan Ritchson performance despite its derivative nature. They single out the on-location photography and coherent structure as strengths compared to other Netflix originals. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/2117140/alan-ritchson-2026-sci-fi-action-movie-streaming-netflix-war-machine/) ## Digital Spy — Ian Sandwell Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 6 March 2026. The critic finds War Machine a fun, action-packed entertainment ideal for a weekend watch, blending elements of Reacher and Predator. They single out the brilliant action sequences, particularly a breathless five-minute chase scene, for praise. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a70618063/war-machine-netflix-alan-ritchson/) ## Polygon — Tasha Robinson Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 6 March 2026. War Machine succeeds as a lean, propulsive throwback action thriller built on practical stunts and real locations, evoking Predator and Aliens. The critic highlights the impressive physical action sequences, Ritchson's compelling screen presence, and the focus on competence and camaraderie amid the chaos. [Read the review](https://www.polygon.com/war-machine-review-netflix-alan-ritchson/) ## Collider — Aidan Kelley Rating 6/10. 6 March 2026. The film delivers a familiar but enjoyable sci-fi action vehicle for Alan Ritchson as a traumatized veteran turned Ranger trainee facing an alien threat. The critic singles out Ritchson's nuanced lead performance and at least one strong action sequence for praise while noting the story and villain feel by-the-numbers. [Read the review](https://collider.com/war-machine-review-netflix-alan-ritchson/) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 45/100 (inferred from the text). 6 March 2026. The critic finds 'War Machine' a shameless but entertaining Predator knockoff that delivers cool action sequences with a giant robot. They criticize its simplistic characters, lack of subversion or intelligence, and pro-military propaganda stance. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/movies/war-machine-review-netflix-alan-ritchson/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/war-machine.md