I’ll start with a confession; I am not an action movie person. Explosions, military jargon, men shouting orders in the rain, the whole ‘dizh dizh’ shebang has never really been my genre of choice. I usually lean towards mystery where we are wondering who’s the murderer in town and every character is a suspect, that’s what l roll with. 

But War Machine came highly recommended my timelines were also buzzing about it. I pressed play expecting to tolerate it. Instead, I was… pleasantly surprised.

At its core, the movie follows a group of soldiers in a high-tech training exercise that quickly spirals into a very real fight for survival against a terrifying alien war machine (WHAT WAS THAT THING!?). It sounds like classic action fare, and in many ways, it is but there’s also something different. There’s no long, boring setup. The story throws you into the chaos, and suddenly you’re invested.

Even for someone like me who normally zones out during combat scenes, I found myself paying attention, trying to piece together what was happening and who would make it out alive. That’s when you know a film has done something right.

Let’s Talk About the Lead Character (Because… Wow)

Now I would be lying if I said the casting didn’t help. The film stars Alan Ritchson as the lead, and listen, this man looks like he was engineered in a lab for action movies. Tall, commanding, effortlessly confident, and with that quiet intensity that somehow makes him even more attractive.

But beyond just being easy on the eyes, he actually carries the film well. His character isn’t just a fearless soldier, he’s also a grieving brother trying to hold himself together after losing someone he loved. There are moments in the movie where you can see the trauma sitting just beneath the surface. The flashbacks, the tension in his silence, the nightmares and the way he sometimes seems emotionally distant from the rest of the team. It all hints at a man dealing with PTSD who’s also doing this whole thing to cross the line because that was what they meant to do together with the brother.

And I appreciated that it added depth to a character who could have easily been written as just another muscle-bound hero with a gun.

So yes, the action was good. The storyline was engaging. But also… the lead character being ridiculously good-looking and emotionally layered? That’s range. And I support it fully. 

So here’s my final verdict, if you’re an action lover, you’ll probably enjoy War Machine for the visuals, the combat, and the sci-fi element. But if you’re like me — someone who normally chooses thrillers and mysteries,  this might still surprise you in the best way.

It’s visually impressive, and anchored by a lead actor who is both convincing and, frankly, very nice to look at. 

Would I watch another action movie because of this one? Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. But I’m definitely glad I gave this one a chance.

Love and light 🧡