2026 has been a banner year for breakout stars, from Tom Holland's double whammy of Spider-Man: Brand New Day and The Odyssey to Inde Navarrette's leap from Obsession to the X-Men universe. But the most surprising revelation has been Alan Ritchson, who—fresh off his Reacher fame—delivered a raw, unhinged performance in a Netflix sci-fi thriller that's quietly become one of the year's biggest streaming sensations.
That film is War Machine, directed and co-written by Patrick Hughes (The Hitman's Bodyguard). It drops us into the boots of an unnamed soldier (Ritchson), designated "81," who's in the final grueling test to join the Army Rangers—the infamous "Death March." The mission: destroy a prototype aircraft. But when that aircraft turns out to be a hyper-advanced alien war machine, the exercise becomes a bloodbath. What follows is a relentless, adrenaline-soaked survival story that's been aptly described as The Terminator meets The Hurt Locker.
Ritchson's Emotional Range Takes Center Stage
What sets War Machine apart from typical action fare is its deliberate pacing. It takes its time building to the alien reveal, letting us sit with 81's trauma. At the film's start, he loses his brother (Jai Courtney) in a firefight, and the guilt and grief drive him to reckless behavior that has his superiors questioning his judgment. When the machine attacks, 81 is forced to confront his demons and step into a leadership role he's been avoiding.
Ritchson carries this emotional weight beautifully. He shows a slow thaw, evolving from a tormented soldier into a genuine leader. He's backed by a stellar supporting cast—Stephan James as fellow trainee 7, and Dennis Quaid and Esai Morales as his commanding officers. Unlike Reacher's now-familiar formula or Motor City's gimmick-driven approach, War Machine invests in character while still delivering the explosive action you'd expect from soldiers battling alien tech.
A Sequel Is Already in the Works
Despite mixed reviews from critics, War Machine was a massive hit for Netflix, landing on the streamer's all-time Top 10 list alongside other originals like KPop Demon Hunters and The Adam Project. Interestingly, it wasn't originally intended for streaming—Hughes had theatrical plans until Netflix and Lionsgate partnered up. He's also hinted that this was only the beginning of a larger story.
"I know exactly where I want to take it, and what that broader story is...We absolutely love the character of 81. For me, I wanted to tell a film that started with the micro, and ended with the macro. And I thought that was a really unique take on the genre that we were working in. Let's see what happens."
Well, he's getting his chance. Netflix has greenlit a sequel, aptly titled War Machines. Details are scarce, but the ending of the first film—which revealed more alien machines touching down on Earth, with 81 as the only one who knows their weakness—sets up a larger conflict. Ritchson is also staying in the Netflix family with the upcoming action thriller Malestrom.
The success of War Machine proves that Ritchson has a future beyond Reacher, and that sci-fi remains Netflix's most reliable genre for original hits. If you haven't seen it yet, it's a must-watch for action fans—and a clear sign that Ritchson is just getting started.
