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Comedy drama

War Machine (2017): Cast, Ratings, Ending & Where to Watch

War Machine (2017) movie poster

War Machine is a 2017 comedy drama directed by David Michôd, starring Brad Pitt, John Magaro and Anthony Michael Hall. It runs 2 hours 2 minutes and was made on a reported $60 million budget. Critics gave it 48% on Rotten Tomatoes and 56 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.0/10. Stream it on Netflix.

IMDb rating
6.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes
48%
Echo Score
62
Metascore
56
War Machine (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 2m (122 min)
Director
David Michôd
Genres
Drama , Comedy , War
Original language
English
Studio
Netflix
Budget
$60M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is War Machine About?

The premise of War Machine without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

A charismatic U.S. General's rapid ascent and subsequent downfall are explored in this darkly comedic satire. Driven by bravado and ambition, his confident approach leads to missteps and challenges the conventional image of leadership. A relentless journalist's investigative reporting exposes flaws and raises questions about the delicate balance between authority and recklessness, ultimately disrupting his trajectory.

War Machine Themes & Keywords

· 17 tags
  • afghanistan
  • satire
  • counter insurgency
  • foreign affairs
  • soldier
  • civilians at wartime
  • man in uniform
  • barack obama character
  • president
  • satire comedy
  • planning
  • management
+5 more
  • chief of staff
  • standard operating procedure
  • general
  • marital problem
  • based on true story
Where to watch

Where to Watch War Machine

Stream it on Netflix. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

War Machine Cast

Brad Pitt leads the cast, with John Magaro and Anthony Michael Hall. Directed by David Michôd; 10 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

War Machine Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave War Machine 48% on Rotten Tomatoes and 56 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.0/10. Our Echo Score gives it 62/100, strongest in character & emotion (80) and weakest in rewatch factor (45).

62 /100

War Machine Echo Score Breakdown

War Machine exhibits a balanced mix of strong performances and uneven execution. Brad Pitt’s larger-than-life portrayal is frequently cited as the film’s anchor, injecting energy and emotional clarity into scenes that otherwise struggle with tonal shifts. Critics and audiences alike note the sharp political satire and thematic ambition, even as the narrative occasionally fragments under its own weight. Overall, the film presents compelling moments tempered by structural inconsistencies, resulting in a moderately engaging experience.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 70

    In terms of direction and production design, War Machine offers moments of sharp visual intent alongside uneven focus. The film’s pacing benefits from measured editing in action sequences, yet the frequent tonal shifts can undermine cohesion. Production elements such as set design and costume work are well executed but do not consistently elevate the narrative framing. Overall, the art and craft demonstrate ambition hampered by oscillating stylistic choices.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    When it comes to character depth and emotion, the film is anchored by Brad Pitt’s bold central performance. Supporting roles deliver moments of authentic connection, though occasional one-note portrayals limit emotional resonance. The chemistry among the ensemble is uneven, oscillating between compelling exchanges and superficial sketches. In sum, character work shines when energized by strong lead presence.

  • Story & Flow 55

    Regarding story coherence and flow, War Machine grapples with an ambitious narrative that frequently shifts tone. Reviews highlight engaging political insights yet note that the plot becomes unfocused under competing satirical and dramatic impulses. Pacing issues and an overabundance of thematic elements diminish overall clarity. Ultimately, the story’s uneven structure tempers its originality and impedes sustained engagement.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    In terms of sensory experience, the film employs a restrained visual style and intermittent dark humor to underscore its anti-war message. Sound design and musical cues enhance critical moments, though neither element is particularly memorable. Some sequences deliver striking tonal contrasts, but overall the audiovisual presentation remains serviceable rather than immersive.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    When it comes to rewatch factor, War Machine’s uneven tone and sprawling narrative limit its repeat appeal. While darkly humorous moments and strong lead scenes retain some replay value, the film’s pacing flaws and fragmented structure can render subsequent viewings tedious. Ultimately, the lasting appeal is moderate rather than compelling for multiple viewings.

Plot

War Machine Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in War Machine from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Four-star General Glen McMahon (Brad Pitt), inspired by General Stanley McChrystal, embarks on a mission to end the conflict in Afghanistan. Tasked with a daunting responsibility, Glen, hailing from a military lineage, brings his impressive background as a straight-A student from West Point and Yale to the forefront. His leadership style endears him to his troops, as he exemplifies a commitment to never sending them into perilous situations without joining them. Before this assignment, he was leading secret operations in Iraq, where he articulated his thoughts on leadership in a book titled One Leg at a Time.

Full summary

The whole story of War Machine, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Videos

War Machine Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 2 trailers and 1 teaser.

Official Trailer
  • Trailer Trailer 2
  • Teaser Teaser
Quiz

How Well Do You Know War Machine?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who plays the role of General Glen McMahon in 'War Machine'?

Cars

Cars in War Machine

4 cars on screen, including the Toyota Land Cruiser and the 2004 Audi A8 D3.

  • Toyota Land Cruiser in War Machine Toyota Land Cruiser Important role
  • 2004 Audi A8 D3 in War Machine 2004 Audi A8 D3 Minor role
  • 1997 BMW R 1100 RT-P in War Machine 1997 BMW R 1100 RT-P Minor role
  • Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse W221 in War Machine Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse W221 Minor role
Details

War Machine Also Known As

17 alternative titles, including “The Operators” and “워 머신”.

Also known as
  • The Operators
  • 워 머신
  • Πολεμική Μηχανή
  • מכונת מלחמה
  • ウォー・マシーン:戦争は話術だ!:2017
  • Máquina de guerra
  • Savaş Makinesi
  • Machina wojenna
  • Машина войны
  • 战争机器
  • 戰爭機器
  • Háborús gépezet
+5 more
  • Машина війни
  • Машината на войната, ომის მანქანა
  • ウォー・マシーン:戦争は話術だ!
  • วอร์ แมชชีน
  • Cỗ Máy Chiến Tranh

Seen War Machine?

FAQ

War Machine FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, budget, ratings and post-credit scenes of War Machine, each answered in a sentence.

How long is War Machine?

War Machine runs 2 hours 2 minutes (122 minutes).

When was War Machine released?

War Machine was released on May 26, 2017.

Who directed War Machine?

War Machine was directed by David Michôd.

More films by David Michôd

Who is in the cast of War Machine?

War Machine stars Brad Pitt, John Magaro and Anthony Michael Hall, among 10 credited actors.

Where can I watch War Machine?

In the US, War Machine is streaming on Netflix (availability from JustWatch).

What was the budget of War Machine?

War Machine had a reported budget of $60 million.

How is War Machine rated?

War Machine has 6.0/10 on IMDb, 48% on Rotten Tomatoes, 56 on Metacritic and 56% on TMDB.

Does War Machine have a post-credit scene?

No. War Machine has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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