Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- sardonic
- disillusioned
- absurd
- political movie night
- dark comedy night
What critics said
Critics found the fact-based military satire uneven and tonally confused, but often credited its sharp wit and strong supporting performances.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The general's attempt to impose a winning strategy collides with exhausted soldiers, political disengagement, and institutional resistance.
The mission is shaped by journalists, politicians, and official narratives even as the war's participants recognize its futility.
The Afghanistan campaign is presented through the failure of leadership, strategic optimism, and political willingness to leave.
Gen. Glen McMahon believes he can clean up and win the war despite widespread doubt from soldiers and politicians.
Films like War Machine, and why
In the Loop
shares a fact-based military setting, satirical treatment of institutional incompetence, and an uneasy blend of comedy and drama
M*A*S*H
shares an antiwar perspective, bleak political absurdity, and critique of military bureaucracy
Three Kings
shares a contemporary war setting, disillusioned soldiers, and darkly comic institutional satire
The Men Who Stare at Goats
shares a fact-based war narrative focused on strategic failure, political pressure, and an overconfident commander
Movie Details
- Director
- David Michôd
- Release Date
- 2017-05-26
- Runtime
- 122 min
- Rating
- 5.6 / 10 (1282)
Cast
- Brad Pitt
- Anthony Michael Hall
- Emory Cohen
- John Magaro
- Topher Grace
- Tilda Swinton
- Daniel Betts
- Aymen Hamdouchi
- Alan Ruck
- Anthony Hayes
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is War Machine about?
- A charismatic American general tries to impose victory on an unwinnable Afghanistan mission while military bureaucracy and political fatigue turn command into tragicomic spectacle.
- What is War Machine like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of War Machine as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is War Machine violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in War Machine as moderate.
- What did critics think of War Machine?
- Critics found the fact-based military satire uneven and tonally confused, but often credited its sharp wit and strong supporting performances.
- Which films are like War Machine?
- Films with a similar feel include In the Loop, M*A*S*H, Three Kings, and The Men Who Stare at Goats.
- How long is War Machine?
- War Machine runs 122 minutes.
- Where can I watch War Machine?
- In United States, War Machine streams on Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads.
