Release: 2021-09-03
Runtime: 2h 18m (138 minutes)
The world is stunned when a group of time travelers arrive from the year 2051 to deliver an urgent message: Thirty years in the future, mankind is losing a global war against a deadly alien species. The only hope for survival is for soldiers and civilians from the present to be transported to the future and join the fight. Among those recruited is high school teacher and family man Dan Forester. Determined to save the world for his young daughter, Dan teams up with a brilliant scientist and his estranged father in a desperate quest to rewrite the fate of the planet.
Watch this on:
Provided by JustWatch
Genres: Adventure, Action, Science Fiction
Cast: Yvonne Strahovski, Betty Gilpin, J.K. Simmons, more
Yvonne Strahovski
as Colonel Muri Forester
Betty Gilpin
as Emmy Forester
J.K. Simmons
as James Forester
Chris Pratt
as Dan Forester
Ryan Kiera Armstrong
as Young Muri Forester
Keith Powers
as Major Greenwood
Mary Lynn Rajskub
as Norah
Edwin Hodge
as Dorian
Seychelle Gabriel
as Sgt. Diaz
Gary Weeks
as News Reporter #1
Eric Graise
as Terry
Sam Richardson
as Charlie
The world is stunned when a group of time travelers arrive from the year 2051 to deliver an urgent message: Thirty years in the future, mankind is losing a global war against a deadly alien species. The only hope for survival is for soldiers and civilians from the present to be transported to the future and join the fight. Among those recruited is high school teacher and family man Dan Forester. Determined to save the world for his young daughter, Dan teams up with a brilliant scientist and his estranged father in a desperate quest to rewrite the fate of the planet.
The fight for tomorrow begins today.
The Tomorrow War is a military sci-fi action film released on 2 July 2021, directed by Chris McKay and written by Zach Dean. The film stars Chris Pratt, Yvonne Strahovski, J.K. Simmons, and Betty Gilpin, among others. It follows a group of soldiers and civilians who are sent to the future to fight against a deadly alien species known as the Whitespikes.
The plot kicks off in December 2022, when Dan Forester, played by Chris Pratt, struggles to secure a job after being turned down by a research center. While watching the 2022 FIFA World Cup final, soldiers from the year 2051 arrive through a time portal to warn humanity of an impending alien threat that could lead to extinction. In response, a global draft is initiated, and Dan is called to serve. Despite his family's concern, he is sent to the future to join the battle.
Once in the future, Dan and his fellow recruits face overwhelming odds, with many dying shortly after arrival due to poor planning. Commanding officers send the remaining survivors on a mission to rescue scientists working on a deadly toxin aimed at the aliens. The story deepens as Dan learns that one of the commanders is his daughter, Colonel Muri Forester. Their relationship is strained, reflecting Dan's troubled past with his own father.
The film's climax occurs on a fortified oil platform where Dan and Muri create the toxin to defeat the aliens. However, chaos ensues when the Whitespikes attack the base. In a desperate bid, Dan returns to the past to mass-produce the toxin, only to discover that the aliens had been on Earth much earlier than previously thought.
Cast:
Initially, the film was meant to be released theatrically by Paramount Pictures. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was sold to Amazon Studios and premiered on their Prime Video platform. With a production budget of around $200 million, it became one of the most expensive films to debut on a streaming service.
The Tomorrow War received mixed reviews. Critics praised its action sequences and performances, particularly those of Pratt and Richardson, but noted issues with its familiar story structure. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a rating of 52% based on critics' reviews, while it has a score of 45 on Metacritic.
Despite the mixed reactions, the film was a significant hit on streaming, garnering over 2.4 million views in its opening weekend. Following its success, a sequel is currently in development, with the original cast and director expected to return.
In summary, The Tomorrow War combines sci-fi elements with themes of family and sacrifice, while showcasing intense action and visual effects. While not critically acclaimed, it has clearly resonated with audiences, leading to a successful reception on streaming platforms.
