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By Griff Griffin
Contributing Pop Culture Writer
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"War Machine" is currently the number one film on Netflix, and its ending perfectly sets up a sequel.
In the streamer’s sci-fi action film, released exclusively on the platform on March 6, it's man vs. machine as hardened soldier 81 (Alan Ritchson) takes on a terrifying piece of alien hardware.
Directed, co-produced, and co-written by Patrick Hughes, and also featuring Dennis Quaid, there are explosions, stunts, and gunfights galore. But what does it all mean?
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In the wake of the carnage, there's plenty left to unpack, and burning questions that need answering.
Of course, it goes without saying this article features major spoilers, so if you haven't seen "War Machine" yet, proceed cautiously.
'War Machine' Ending
At the end of "War Machine," 81 leads the alien machine to a nearby quarry and baits it into a trap, burying it under a pile of rocks. The threat isn't over, however. Next we see newsreel-style shots of an alien invasion as more of the extraterrestrial machines crash land on Earth.
"Your intel's gonna save a lot of lives," 81's commanding officer tells him. Now humanity knows how to deal with them, but their sheer numbers certainly won't make for an easy fight
What is the Alien Machine?
The alien machine in "War Machine" is sent by an unknown intelligence from another planet, coming from a mysterious location in outer space. It originates from another star outside of the solar system.
Early in the film we see a short news clip showing NASA has discovered a strange asteroid in the solar system. A piece of this extrasolar object broke apart as it approached the orbit of Earth, with one piece landing near where 81 and his squad are sent on their training mission.
The alien machine's exact motive is never fully revealed. It's hostile by default, and cannot be reasoned with.
How Does 81 Kill the Machine?
In "War Machine," 81 uses his brother's advice to take out the alien machine.
“First law of thermodynamics, energy can’t be created or destroyed, so it’s gotta go somewhere,” his brother says during 81's flashback in the opening of the film.
This inspires 81 to clog its vents with rocks and trigger a massive explosion. It's the only way to destroy it, because earlier in the film, the squad attaches C4 to its hull and detonates it, which doesn't do much.
'War Machine' Ending Explained
81 destroys the alien machine and manages to save his one surviving squad mate (Stephan James). In doing so, he lives up to the promise he made to his brother about getting over the finish line and never giving up.
In the final moments of the film, 81 closes his eyes, finally content he has become an Army Ranger.
Will There be a 'War Machine 2'?
"War Machine 2" is not confirmed. However, the ending of the first film deliberately sets up a second. In it, 81 makes it back to base and is able to deliver crucial intelligence on how to defeat the machines, just as thousands more hostiles descend on the planet. 81 then boards a helicopter to his next fight.
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