Undoubtedly one of Netflix’s most anticipated original films (and indeed one of their most expensive) is War Machine, the new war satire that stars Oscar Nominee Brad Pitt (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Inglorious Basterds). And to celebrate its impending release, Netflix has debuted a new trailer and some new art from the film.
Directed by acclaimed filmmaker David Michôd (Animal Kingdom, The Rover), the film is inspired by the book “The Operators: The Wild & Terrifying Inside Story of America’s War in Afghanistan”, written by the late journalist Michael Hastings. Pitt stars as “hot-shot General McMahon endeavoring to cut through the politics of war only to be reminded, time and time again, that this is one machine that can’t be stopped.”
Tilda Swinton (Okja), Scoot McNairy (Aftermath), Will Poulter (The Revenant) and Sir Ben Kingsley (Iron Man 3) are amongst the co-stars.
Here’s the official synopsis:
In a film for our times, writer-director David Michod (Animal Kingdom) recreates a U.S. General’s roller-coaster rise and fall as part reality, part savage parody – raising the specter of just where the line between them lies today. His is an anti-establishment, pro-soldier exploration in the form of an absurdist war story of a born leader’s ultra-confident march right into the dark heart of folly. At the story’s core is Brad Pitt’s sly take on a successful, charismatic four-star general who leapt in like a rock star to command coalition forces in Afghanistan, only to be taken down by his own hubris and a journalist’s no-holds-barred expose. War Machine addresses the debt we owe to soldiers to question the purposes to which they are being directed.
The Netflix original film is inspired by the book The Operators: The Wild & Terrifying Inside Story of America’s War in Afghanistan by the late journalist Michael Hastings. Joining Pitt in War Machine is a highly decorated cast including Emory Cohen, RJ Cyler, Topher Grace, Anthony Michael Hall, Anthony Hayes, John Magaro, Scoot McNairy, Will Poulter, Alan Ruck, Lakeith Stanfield, Josh Stewart, Meg Tilly, Tilda Swinton and Sir Ben Kingsley. Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner and Ian Bryce serve as producers. James W. Skotchdopole and Sarah Esberg serve as executive producers.
War Machine is released globally on Netflix on May 26th.
