War of the Worlds: Revival (2025), directed by Rich Lee, is the latest adaptation of H.G. Wells’ iconic sci-fi novel, reimagined as a screenlife techno-thriller. Released on Amazon Prime Video with little fanfare in July 2025, this film, also known as War of the Worlds: The One With Ice Cube On Zoom, tries to modernize the alien invasion narrative but falls flat. For NRI Globe readers, particularly Indian professionals and sci-fi fans in the U.S., UK, and beyond, this review explores why this film misses the mark, its key themes, and whether it’s worth your streaming time. Expect spoilers ahead as we dive into this chaotic take on a beloved classic.
A Misfired Modern Retelling
H.G. Wells’ 1898 novel The War of the Worlds set the standard for alien invasion stories, inspiring everything from Orson Welles’ panic-inducing 1938 radio broadcast to Steven Spielberg’s gripping 2005 film. The 2025 version, however, swaps epic spectacle for a screenlife format, unfolding entirely through computer screens, Zoom calls, and social media feeds. Starring Ice Cube as Will Radford, a Department of Homeland Security surveillance expert, the film attempts to weave themes of privacy versus security into an alien invasion plot. Unfortunately, it ends up feeling like a 2-hour, 25-minute Amazon Prime Air commercial with lackluster execution.
The story follows Will, a widower estranged from his kids, Faith (Iman Benson), a pregnant Georgetown scientist, and Dave (Henry Hunter Hall), a conspiracy-obsessed gamer. Will’s obsession with tracking a hacker named “Disruptor,” who exposes a secret data-gathering program called Goliath, blinds him to warnings from NASA scientist Sandra (Eva Longoria) about bizarre weather events. When data-hungry extraterrestrial machines invade, Will must save the world via Zoom calls, WhatsApp messages, and hacking his daughter’s MacBook. The result? A film that’s unintentionally hilarious, with clunky dialogue, dated CGI, and a plot that prioritizes melodrama over suspense.
What Works: A Glimmer of Potential
Despite its flaws, the film’s concept is intriguing. The screenlife format—seen in films like Searching (2018)—could have been a fresh way to depict a global crisis through a digital lens, especially for tech-savvy NRI audiences in IT-heavy regions like Silicon Valley or Bengaluru. The idea of aliens feeding on data, not blood or water, ties into modern fears about surveillance and privacy, resonating with Indian professionals navigating data-driven industries. Moments of tension, like Will coordinating a response via split-screen video calls, hint at what could have been a novel thriller.
The cast, including Ice Cube, Eva Longoria, and rising stars Iman Benson and Henry Hunter Hall, brings some star power. Ice Cube’s deadpan delivery, while misplaced, offers occasional laughs, like his quip, “Take yo’ intergalactic asses back home!” For NRI viewers who enjoy B-movies or Ice Cube’s action-comedy vibe, these moments might spark some guilty pleasure.
What Falls Apart: A Laundry List of Flaws
Sadly, the film’s execution undermines its potential. The script, penned by Kenneth A. Golde and Marc Hyman (Meet the Fockers), is a mess of expository dialogue and over-the-top melodrama. Every door is locked, every helicopter crashes, and the President even declares, “Let’s start this War of the Worlds!”—a line so cheesy it belongs in a parody. The CGI, described by critics as “1990s-level,” looks fake, with aliens resembling video game cutscenes from two decades ago. The screenlife format, meant to feel immersive, grows repetitive, making the action feel distant and uninvolving.
The plot’s attempt to tackle government overreach and data privacy feels half-baked. Instead of sharp commentary, it devolves into a blatant Amazon Prime Air ad, with a delivery driver and speedy package delivery as a plot pivot. For Indian viewers, who value storytelling depth in films like Dangal or 3 Idiots, this commercial undertone feels particularly jarring. The family drama—Will’s strained ties with his kids—lacks emotional weight, leaving audiences indifferent to their fate. As Ready Steady Cut notes, the film is “hilarious in all the wrong ways,” a sentiment echoed across IMDb reviews calling it “terrible” and “a waste of cinematic resources.”
Cultural Relevance for NRI Audiences
For the Indian diaspora, this film might spark mixed feelings. Its focus on surveillance and data privacy could resonate with NRIs in tech, where debates about data security are rampant. India’s IT sector, employing over 5 million people, faces similar concerns about AI and data misuse, as seen in Microsoft’s recent AI job impact study. However, the film’s shallow exploration of these themes offers little insight for professionals seeking meaningful commentary. Culturally, the lack of relatable characters or nuanced storytelling may alienate viewers used to Bollywood’s emotional depth or Hollywood’s polished sci-fi.
The film’s B-movie vibe might appeal to NRI fans of low-budget thrillers, like Sharknado or older Indian sci-fi attempts like Koi… Mil Gaya. Yet, its failure to capture the epic scope of Wells’ novel or Spielberg’s 2005 adaptation—set in a post-9/11 context with chilling resonance—makes it a hard sell for those expecting a gripping alien saga.
Comparison to Other Adaptations
Unlike Spielberg’s 2005 War of the Worlds, which masterfully blended 9/11-inspired terror with family drama, or the 1953 George Pal classic, lauded for its Cold War allegory and groundbreaking effects, the 2025 version lacks emotional or thematic heft. The BBC’s 2019 miniseries, despite mixed reviews for slow pacing, at least offered atmospheric dread and a Victorian setting true to Wells’ novel. Revival’s screenlife gimmick and weak script can’t compete, making it one of the weakest entries in the War of the Worlds legacy.
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Should You Watch It?
War of the Worlds: Revival (2025) is a disappointing addition to H.G. Wells’ storied legacy. Its ambitious screenlife format and privacy themes are overshadowed by poor CGI, laughable dialogue, and a plot that feels like a corporate ad. For NRI audiences, it may offer a few chuckles for Ice Cube fans or B-movie enthusiasts, but it’s a far cry from the gripping sci-fi Indian viewers might expect from global cinema. Save your 2 hours and 25 minutes for Spielberg’s 2005 masterpiece or the original novel, both of which deliver the terror and wonder this version lacks.
Rating: 3.5/10
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video
Runtime: 2h 25m | Rating: PG-13
Sources: Ready Steady Cut, IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes
