Netflix’s new action thriller War Machine may feature an “unimaginable threat,” though director Patrick Hughes insists the film’s foundation is rooted in something very real: the grueling training involved in U.S. Army Ranger selection.
We had military advisers who were ex-Rangers, and we worked with the Department of Defense and got their sign-off. We were able to replicate the fundamental structure of the course.
The streaming juggernaut's new high-octane survival film stars Alan Ritchson (Reacher) and Dennis Quaid and follows an elite team whose training exercise turns into a fight for survival. But before the sci-fi spectacle kicks in, the film grounds itself in the physical and psychological reality of Ranger selection and the definition of what makes a warrior.
“We did a lot of research,” Hughes told Military.com. “We had military advisers who were ex-Rangers, and we worked with the Department of Defense and got their sign-off. We were able to replicate the fundamental structure of the course.”
That authenticity was critical for Hughes. While War Machine leans into the muscular survival energy of 1980s action films, he wanted the soldiering to feel tactile and grounded.
“It’s essentially a film about the search for warriors,” Hughes said. “Everyone assumes it’s the guy with the biggest muscles who’s going to destroy the course and get through it. But often, they’re the first to tap out.”
How Real Is ‘War Machine’? Alan Ritchson on Army Ranger Training and Netflix’s New Action Film
According to Hughes, who spoke to Military.com (see video above), Ranger selection—like other elite military programs—tests far more than physical endurance.
The definition of a warrior is physical, mental and emotional fortitude. You need all three.
Throwback Energy, Modern Warrior Psychology
When asked what films might sit next to War Machine on a 1980s video store shelf, Hughes didn’t hesitate.
“Deliverance,” he said. “And I’d take out Predator. I’d loan that one out. And Alien and Aliens.”
The comparisons make sense. Like Predator, the film places a group of highly trained soldiers in an environment where their tactical superiority is suddenly challenged by an unknown force. However, unlike many action films of that era, War Machine deliberately builds vulnerability into its lead character.
That was a key reason Hughes cast Ritchson, known for his physically imposing roles in projects like Reacher.
“It’s very unique to have an action movie star that can also play vulnerable,” Hughes said. “As much as it’s this banging action sci-fi film, it’s also got a tremendous amount of vulnerability.”
Alan Ritchson on Honoring Rangers
Ritchson plays a Ranger candidate known as “81,” a hardened and stoic presence carrying emotional weight beneath the surface.
A lot of the work that we do together is very technical… We want to get the rules right. We want to honor these men and women that serve around the world.
While much of the preparation involved weapons handling and boot camp-style physical training, Ritchson said the deeper work came from understanding the culture and psychology of elite service members.
A lot of the work that we do together is very technical. We want to get the rules right. We want to honor these men and women that serve around the world.
Former Rangers were involved during pre-production and on set to ensure the cast’s movement, posture and tactical decisions reflected reality.
“We were staffed up well to make sure that we had eyes on our performances to make sure it was looking authentic,” Ritchson said.
For him, however, the emotional thread of the character was just as important as the tactical one.
“The thing that drew me to the film was tapping into the shame of my own personal experiences and how that might relate to the character’s personal experiences,” he said.
Hughes added that while researching the script, he dove into first-hand accounts of elite service members—including stories of brothers who pledged to attempt special operations training together, along with interviews detailing the long healing process after traumatic deployments.
“I read a lot of books on the subject,” Hughes said. “The real heart and soul of this movie, beyond the spectacle, is that vulnerability.”
More Than Muscle
One of the themes Hughes returns to repeatedly is the misconception that physical dominance alone defines a warrior.
Selection courses for elite military units are designed to break candidates down, not simply to test strength but to expose resilience, leadership and emotional stability under extreme stress.
In that sense, War Machine functions as both a survival thriller and a character study.
The team at the center of the film begins as a group of highly capable Ranger candidates. But when their training scenario shifts into something far more dangerous, the qualities that matter most aren’t just strength or firepower.
They are adaptability, cohesion and emotional control. For audiences familiar with Ranger culture, that distinction matters.
Elite units are not built around bravado; they’re built around discipline and endurance—often invisible traits that don’t always translate easily to the screen.
Hughes said that balance between spectacle and authenticity was intentional from the start.
“You really need all three—physical, mental and emotional fortitude,” he said.
A Survival Film With Substance
While Netflix is positioning War Machine as a high-energy action experience, its creators clearly hope the film resonates with viewers who understand the weight of military training and service.
Ritchson, who has portrayed military characters multiple times in his career, said the goal is always to approach the material with respect.
In an era when military action films often prioritize CGI spectacle over grounded storytelling, War Machine aims to combine the two—delivering the adrenaline of an ’80s survival classic while anchoring it in the psychological reality of modern warrior culture.
We want to honor these men and women that serve.
If it succeeds, it may stand out not just as another action entry in Netflix’s catalog but as a film that recognizes something often overlooked in cinematic portrayals of elite soldiers: strength alone isn’t enough.
War Machine lands on Netflix on March 6, 2026.
DIRECTOR: Patrick Hughes
SCREENPLAY: Patrick Hughes, James Beaufort
PRODUCERS: Todd Lieberman and Alexander Young of Hidden Pictures, Patrick Hughes and Greg McLean of HUGE FILM. Rich Cook of Range.
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Valerie Bleth Sharp
KEY CAST: Alan Ritchson, Dennis Quaid, Stephan James, Jai Courtney, Esai Morales, Blake Richardson, Keiynan Lonsdale, Daniel Webber
LOGLINE: During the final stage of U.S. Army Ranger selection, an elite team’s training exercise turns into a fight for survival against an unimaginable threat.
