Explored the Amazon Prime Video production titled 'War of the Worlds' - a catastrophe, but in a amazingly entertaining sense - reasons to give it a watch
In the realm of sci-fi thrillers, the new Prime Video original, "War of the Worlds," has generated quite a stir. Based on H.G. Wells' novel, the movie features Ice Cube as a Department of Homeland Security officer, but its reception has been far from favourable.
Critics and viewers alike have expressed disappointment with the film's quality, citing miscasting, uneven execution, and distracting product placement as its primary issues. The visual effects, reminiscent of 2002's "The Scorpion King," have also drawn criticism.
The movie's central gimmick, taking place from the perspective of a screen recording, with constant zooms, audio clutter, and visual effects, has been a source of confusion and bafflement for many viewers. The chaotic style, combined with a disconnected narrative where characters are often not in the same scene, talking mostly through phones, has detracted from cohesion and engagement.
The poor acting and CGI effects have further contributed to a generally bad viewing experience. Some viewers have resorted to hate-watching, attracted by curiosity rather than genuine interest. The movie's release, which was filmed years earlier and only released now, has also raised questions about the producers' confidence in the final product.
Despite its poor critical reception, "War of the Worlds" has found a unique niche among viewers who find unintended enjoyment in its unintentional comedy. Many scenes from the movie have become popular memes and are widely circulated across social media.
For those seeking high-quality movies on Prime Video, titles that have scored 90% or higher on Rotten Tomatoes may be a more satisfying choice. Notable examples include the mystery thrillers "Searching" and its sequel, "Missing," which have successfully employed the "screenlife" technique, similar to that used in "War of the Worlds."
Devon Bostick plays Ice Cube's daughter's boyfriend in the same movie. The film's current Rotten Tomatoes score stands at a dismal 3%, making it one of the worst-reviewed films of 2025. Despite this, or perhaps because of it, "War of the Worlds" continues to captivate audiences, offering a unique blend of confusion, bafflement, and unintentional laughter.
[1] Source: Rotten Tomatoes - "War of the Worlds" (2025) Review Roundup [3] Source: The Hollywood Reporter - "War of the Worlds" Review: Ice Cube's Sci-Fi Thriller Is a Trainwreck [5] Source: Variety - "War of the Worlds" Review: Ice Cube's Sci-Fi Thriller Is a Messy Disaster
Movies-and-TV like "War of the Worlds" can be a source of entertainment, but their quality is often questionable, as seen in the reviews from Rotten Tomatoes, The Hollywood Reporter, and Variety, where the film is criticized for its miscasting, poor execution, distracting product placement, and the chaotic screenlife technique.
Despite the unfavorable reviews, some viewers find entertainment in the unintentional comedy that "War of the Worlds" provides, with many scenes becoming popular memes and widely shared on social media.
