War Machine
Performance & Direction: War Machine Review
Last updated: February 15, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is War Machine (2017) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.6/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and War Machine features a noteworthy lineup led by Brad Pitt . Supported by the likes of Anthony Michael Hall and Emory Cohen , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: War Machine
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2017, War Machine is a Comedy, Drama, War film directed by David Michôd. The narrative brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Brad Pitt.
Story Breakdown
The comedic structure relies on both situational humor and character-based comedy. A rock star general bent on winning the “impossible” war in Afghanistan takes us inside the complex machinery of modern war. Inspired by the true story of General Stanley McChrystal. The production finds humor in relatable situations while maintaining narrative momentum. The jokes serve the story, with callbacks that reward attentive viewers.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The opening establishes the comedic tone and introduces the central conflict through humor and character quirks.
- Character Arc: Character development is present but somewhat formulaic, following familiar patterns without adding fresh perspectives to the genre.
- Climax & Resolution: The comedic climax ties together recurring jokes and character arcs, delivering both laughs and emotional satisfaction.
Ending Explained: War Machine
Ending Breakdown: Directed by David Michôd, War Machine attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation involving Brad Pitt, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of War Machine reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
War Machine Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
War Machine uses real-world events as narrative inspiration. As a comedy, drama, war film directed by David Michôd, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement for Brad Pitt's character.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, with attention to period detail and historical context.
Accuracy Assessment: War Machine adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch War Machine?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Comedy films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Box Office Collection: War Machine
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $60.0M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
War Machine Budget
The estimated production budget for War Machine is $60.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: War Machine
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Where to Watch War Machine Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
NetflixWar Machine Parents Guide & Age Rating
2017 AdvisoryWondering about War Machine age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of War Machine is 122 minutes (2h 2m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.6/10, and global performance metrics, War Machine is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 2017 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is War Machine worth watching?
War Machine is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 5.6/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find War Machine parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for War Machine identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of War Machine?
The total duration of War Machine is 122 minutes, which is approximately 2h 2m long.
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Critic Reviews for War Machine
It feels like there's a really good movie hidden somewhere in here, but perhaps not a comedy. As far as the comedy goes, its biggest obstacle is Brad Pitt. I remember seeing another comedy with him in it, and I remember him being not particularly good. This time around it's even worse, and it's clear to me that the man doesn't have a funny bone at all. There's plenty of comedic material in the script, as delivered by the supporting cast, but to be frank, Brad Pitt is simply terrible. I don't remember having seen him this poor, ever, and I'm really quite a fan of him. Why he fails so terribly to be funny, I'm not sure. Perhaps he lacks the ability to do self-ridicule, perhaps he tries too hard, perhaps he doesn't really get humour in the first place, you be the judge — I just know he's not funny. At all. They really should have done better casting here. Lots of obvious candidates that would be better, and probably cheaper, too. Then there's the whole deal about it being a comedy in the first place. I don't consider myself a prune, but there are scenes in this film where the attempt at comedy just seems in awfully poor taste. Which is why I air the question of whether the "hidden good movie" in here should indeed be a comedy. The best scenes in War Machine most definitely aren't the funny ones, that's for sure.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
