Hideo Kojima Says This New Netflix Hit Is a "Geek-Pleasing Film" for Fans of 80s Sci-Fi Action

Game designer Hideo Kojima knows a thing or two about worthy action flicks. After seeing the trailer for Patrick Hughes' new movie, he immediately wanted to see it – and was thrilled.

Kojima shared his thoughts on social media, calling the movie the perfect combination of Predator and Metal Gear and saying that it captures the spirit of sci-fi action films from the 80s and 90s.

Hideo Kojima Recommends Netflix's New Action Flick 'War Machine'

On his X account, Hideo Kojima left a positive review of War Machine, specifically mentioning Alan Ritchson, star of Reacher, who played the lead role. Kojima said:

“After seeing the trailer, I had been curious about Patrick Hughes’ “War Machine.” [...] Wow, it was quite entertaining. It's basically “Predator” x “Metal Gear”! A geek-pleasing film that really evokes the feel of 80s–90s sci-fi action movies.

If you like this kind of thing, you should have a great time with it. Alan Ritchson from “Reacher” (“Jack Reacher: The Outlaw”) brings great flavor to the role. Dennis Quaid also appears in it.”

What Is 'War Machine' About?

After surviving the tragedy of his younger brother's death in Afghanistan, Alan Ritchson's character decides to fulfill his dream of joining the Army Rangers. During a critical training exercise in the forest, his unit discovers a massive combat robot of unknown origin.

The machine begins hunting the recruits, forcing a sapper with the call sign 81 to take command. The problem is that the soldiers only have blanks, and the enemy is an unrelenting mechanical beast.

'War Machine' Is an Old-Fashioned Sci-Fi Action Movie Perfect for a Friday Night Watch

War Machine's greatest strength is its striking honesty. Unlike Christopher Nolan's intellectual science fiction, it's rooted in the 80s and 90s.

Filming in Australia and New Zealand worked to the movie's advantage – instead of a sterile gloss, War Machine offers the harsh texture of the forest: sticky mud, icy water, and the actors' genuine fatigue.

Alan Ritchson confidently holds his own in front of the camera, though his dramatic arc is more decorative, providing a graceful closure to the story.

But viewers came for the action, not the drama, and the movie delivers 100% in that regard – it's loud, raw, occasionally absurd, yet incredibly vital and straightforward.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'War Machine'?

• War Machine has 69% from critics and 73% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 6.5/10.

• On Letterboxd, War Machine scored 2.8/5.0.