Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- propulsive
- tense
- patriotic
- action movie night
- political thriller night
What critics said
Critics broadly recognized Waar as a technically ambitious and commercially significant Pakistani action film, while disputing its screenplay, performances, and propagandistic political framing.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The operation and terrorist threat are presented through Pakistani security personnel and the local political context.
Critics specifically praised the cinematography, editing, sound design, and action sequences.
Ehtesham and Javeria learn of a major terrorist attack and must recruit Mujtaba to help stop it.
Former army officer Mujtaba's early retirement is interrupted by the need for his counter-terrorism skills.
Films like Waar, and why
Zero Dark Thirty
counter-terrorism action, intelligence operations, patriotic political framing
Body of Lies
stylized espionage thriller, covert operations, national-security stakes
Lone Survivor
military action, terrorism narrative, morally charged counterinsurgency
Movie Details
- Director
- Bilal Lashari
- Release Date
- 2013-10-16
- Runtime
- 130 min
- Rating
- 5.1 / 10 (55)
Cast
- Shaan Shahid
- Ayesha Khan
- Hamza Ali Abbasi
- Shamoon Abbasi
- Uzma Khan
- Meesha Shafi
- Ali Azmat
- Batin Farooqi
- Kamran Lashari
- Hassan Rana
Common questions
- What is Waar about?
- A retired Pakistani army officer is pulled into a high-stakes counter-terrorism operation to prevent a devastating attack.
- What is Waar like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Waar as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Waar violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Waar as graphic.
- What did critics think of Waar?
- Critics broadly recognized Waar as a technically ambitious and commercially significant Pakistani action film, while disputing its screenplay, performances, and propagandistic political framing.
- Which films are like Waar?
- Films with a similar feel include Zero Dark Thirty, Body of Lies, and Lone Survivor.
- How long is Waar?
- Waar runs 130 minutes.
