Alan Ritchson’s ‘War Machine’ Ends With an Exhaust Vent Twist Like ‘Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope’

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Be warned, this article contains spoilers for the Netflix film War Machine! Throughout the movie, Alan Ritchson plays a character known only as 81, a member of a Ranger Regiment who faces incredibly tough challenges. While many viewers have compared War Machine to the Predator films, I believe a connection to Star Wars is much more apparent – especially towards the end. Once you see it, it’s hard to miss!

It’s true that War Machine and Predator share some striking resemblances. Both films center around a main character fleeing through a vast wilderness while being hunted by a dangerous, alien enemy. While War Machine has its own distinct elements, it’s clear the basic idea draws inspiration from Predator. However, near the end of the new Netflix film, the story takes a turn. Instead of being like Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character in Predator, the protagonist, 81, starts to resemble Mark Hamill’s Luke Skywalker, especially in how he achieves victory over the robotic enemy.

Why ‘War Machine’ Is Secretly a ‘Star Wars’ Homage as Well as a ‘Predator’ One

If you somehow haven’t seen the original Star Wars from 1977, here’s a quick rundown: the hero, motivated by loss and a need for purpose, destroys a powerful weapon by hitting a small, vulnerable spot. Surprisingly, that same description fits the movie War Machine almost perfectly. The way both Luke Skywalker and the main character in War Machine defeat their enemies by exploiting a critical vent feels like more than just a coincidence. It’s safe to say that the director of War Machine, Patrick Hughes, was likely inspired by Luke’s destruction of the Death Star in A New Hope.

While War Machine definitely draws inspiration from the 1987 film Predator, it’s not simply a copy. The movie introduces new plotlines, develops its characters in unique ways, and explores different emotional themes than the original. The way the villain is defeated also clearly references A New Hope. Considering all this, War Machine is surprisingly original, especially in a time when most movies are remakes or sequels. It’s not revolutionary, but it stands out as a genuinely good and fresh project.

‘War Machine’s Borrowed ‘A New Hope’ Twist Creates a Problem for a Potential Sequel


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The ending of War Machine definitely suggests the filmmakers would like to make a sequel, though nothing has been officially announced yet. The movie has been popular on Netflix, quickly becoming one of the platform’s most-watched titles. While it’s not a perfect film, it’s enjoyable and its strong viewership could be enough for Netflix to greenlight another installment. If War Machine 2 does move forward, the writers might face a challenge because the first film borrowed heavily from a specific story within the Star Wars universe.

The first Star Wars film, A New Hope, established a pattern: finding a critical weakness in a seemingly invincible superweapon. This made repeating the feat in later movies, like The Force Awakens, feel simpler and less surprising to viewers. The same principle applies in War Machine, where a massive robot appears unstoppable until a clever solution is found. Just as Luke Skywalker targeted a small opening in the Death Star, the hero in War Machine used a bulldozer to clog the robot’s vents with rocks, causing it to overheat and explode. After a long build-up of the robot’s power, this unexpected solution was a satisfying moment for the audience.

The issue is that War Machine 81 returned to base and revealed the exact method for disabling the other landed machines. This eliminates the suspense for a potential sequel – it’s simple: block the vents and destroy them. Therefore, it might be better to keep War Machine as a single story, concluding with the idea that 81’s intelligence – the information Ritchson’s character obtained – will ultimately save humanity.

Okay, so 81 managed to take down one War Machine, but it was a really specific, lucky shot. Let’s be real, there’s no way we’re getting all of those things lined up so we can drop rocks on them! The big question now isn’t how to destroy them – 81 showed us that part. It’s how the military can actually use that information and scale it up to a full-blown fight. That’s what I’d love to see War Machine 2 really explore – the logistics of turning a clever trick into a winning strategy.

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2026-03-17 16:18