Wardriver 2026 Movie Review
Wardriver (2026) is rated R for violence, language and some drug use, none of which seemed to rise above the level of broadcast television. One wonders if it might have been more entertaining if the filmmakers had enthusiastically embraced an expected R rating, rather than seeming to have striven for PG.
With the exception of Mamoudou Athie Oscar), who delivers a nuanced performance as a villain, none of the characters are particularly interesting, likeable, or multidimensional. Dane DeHaan (Cole) plays a hacker whose seems to be some sort of functionary for an unseen mastermind who does much of the work and takes much of the money he steals. He sanctimoniously justifies himself, claiming he only steals from companies, not people, as if the companies aren’t owned by people. Sasha Calle (Sarah), who played Supergirl in The Flash (2023), has a girl-next-door look that would suit her well in a rom-com, but seems horribly miscast as a femme fatale. Sarah should ooze an irresistible sexuality that captivates every man who sees her, but seems not to have received the memo.
The title is reminiscent of the OneDers in That Thing You Do! (1996). Is it War Driver or Ward River? Too much of the action occurs on video screens. The characters lack dimension; performances lack nuance. It’s a mashup of familiar elements without unique flair. The motivations are contrived and muddled, leaving the audience unsure whether the protagonist achieved his goals, and whether they should cheer.
