Is Ice Cube’s War of the Worlds Really That Bad? Honest Review
The new War of the Worlds (2025), starring Ice Cube, dropped on Amazon Prime Video and has quickly become one of the most talked-about movies of recent months. But the talk is mostly negative. Critics are calling it awful, viewers are roasting it, and it landed an extremely rare 0% score on Rotten Tomatoes at first. So, is it that bad? Let’s break it down to see what works, what doesn’t, and whether it’s worth watching.
What Is This Movie?
War of the Worlds is a modern take on H.G. Wells’s 1898 novel. It’s directed by Rich Lee (his first feature film), with a screenplay by Kenneth A. Golde & Marc Hyman. It premiered on Prime Video on July 30, 2025.
The film uses a “screenlife” style. That means most of its action happens on computer screens, phones, tablets, video calls, etc. It tries to show how an alien invasion might look in our digital age.
Cast includes Ice Cube as Will Radford (a Homeland Security analyst), Eva Longoria, Clark Gregg, Iman Benson, and Henry Hunter Hall. The runtime is about 89 minutes.
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The Bad: What Critics & Viewers Hate
There is a lot of criticism, much of it quite harsh. Here are the main complaints:
1. Rotten Tomatoes 0% Score & Critical Backlash
The movie initially got 0% on Rotten Tomatoes (i.e., every critic whose review was counted had a negative view). That alone made headlines. People expect some bad reviews, but 0% is rare.
2. Weak Writing & Plot Problems
Critics say the plot is full of holes, logic issues, and confusing bits. Scenes switch awkwardly, the pacing is weird, and the writing feels unpolished.
3. Ice Cube’s Performance
Some reviews say Ice Cube is miscast and that his performance is weak or over-the-top in a way that doesn’t help the story. The role demands more nuance than many felt was delivered.
4. Overuse of Product Placement
A frequent criticism: the movie feels like a commercial for Amazon and other brands. There are delivery drones, a heavy presence of Amazon branding, etc. Many feel it distracts from the story.
5. Style & Screenlife Execution
The concept of screenlife (seeing everything through digital screens) is interesting. But in practice, many say it’s boring, repetitive, and doesn’t allow for real suspense or big moments. Things look low-budget. Some sequences are just static screens, video calls, etc.
The Good: What Some People Actually Like
Despite all the negative noise, there are parts of the film that have been appreciated. It’s not all bad.
- Self-aware Cheezy Fun
Some critics and viewers say the film leans fully into being ridiculous, and that’s part of its charm. It has unintentionally funny moments, and so over the top that they become entertaining. If you watch it expecting perfect sci-fi, you will be disappointed. But if you accept some silliness, you might enjoy the ride.
- Short, Digestible Length
At under 90 minutes, it doesn’t drag too long. For people who just want some quick sci-fi horror/action with minimal commitment, that can be a plus.
- Idea Behind It
The idea of updating War of the Worlds using screens and remote communication feels timely. We live in a digital age; lots of people like seeing stories that reflect that reality. The film tries to do something new rather than just copy older versions. That effort gets some credit.
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So, Is It Really That Bad?
Putting together the good and bad:
- If you expect high-quality sci-fi (big effects, strong plot, tense drama, etc.), this movie probably won’t meet expectations. The writing, acting, and production choices are often criticized. So for that group, disappointment is likely.
- If you expect a cheesy, silly, maybe somewhat ridiculous ride with some laughs, it might be more enjoyable than people assume. There is a niche audience that likes “so bad it’s good” movies, movies that are fun to mock, that are entertaining in flawed ways.
- The reputation is worse than the reality for some. The toxic headlines (0% Rotten Tomatoes, “worst movie ever,” etc.) give a big impression. But when you watch it with reasonable expectations, it’s not an utter disaster; it’s just deeply flawed.
- Also, part of the problem is that people compare it to big versions of War of the Worlds (Tom Cruise version, classics). Those movies had big budgets, big stars, and strong direction. This film is operating differently, with lower expectations, different constraints (like production during pandemic, screenlife format). Comparisons make the flaws stand out more.
Final Thoughts: Should You Watch It?
Here’s who might enjoy it, and who might regret it:
You might like it if:
- You enjoy movies that are ridiculous, with over-the-top lines and absurd situations.
- You like watching something that everyone else hates, bonus if you enjoy mocking bad movies together with friends.
- You’re curious about screenlife-style films.
- You want something short, not too demanding, just to kill time.
You might want to avoid it if:
- You love sci-fi classics and expect big visuals, tight storytelling, and convincing characters.
- You want something serious, atmospheric, well-crafted.
- You dislike product placement and branding in films, especially when it feels forced.
- You hate unintentional comedy, or things that feel cheap or lazy in their execution.
Conclusion
So, is War of the Worlds (2025, Amazon + Ice Cube) as bad as everyone is saying? Yes and no. It deserves a lot of the criticism: weak writing, muddy plot, overused branding, and some poor acting. But it’s not totally irredeemable. There’s a part of the movie that leans into its flaws and makes them part of the fun. If you go in expecting a masterpiece, you’ll hate it. But if you go in expecting a cheesy, campy, weird sci-fi ride, you might find yourself entertained.
It’s not good in the traditional sense, but it might be good for bad. And sometimes that’s exactly what some viewers want.
