Diksha Sundriyal
Ever since humans evolved to the point where they realized that they could have territories and since the inception of the idea of civilization, there have always been wars. Take any century or any decade, and you’ll find that in some part of the world, there were always two armies killing each other. The war against terrorism, the war against communism, the war against the Nazis, the war against foreign forces, the war against the country on the other side of the hill — no matter how big or small, there has always been a reason for humans to indulge themselves in the bloodbath that never ends well for anyone. And yet, despite the misery of such times, we manage to make stories that inspire strength, heroism, and perseverance, and some of the best in genre are available on Hulu right now.
8. Black Site (2022)
‘Black Site’ is directed by Sophia Banks and stars Michelle Monaghan, Pallavi Sharda, Jai Courtney, and Jason Clarke. In the movie, we meet CIA Agent Abby Trent and her team, who manage a high-security military facility that holds the world’s most dangerous criminals. The team’s latest catch is a guy codenamed Hatchet, who is known for his gruesome killing methods. Unfortunately, he escapes from his holding cell, targeting and killing the guards as well as releasing the other inmates. It is only a matter of time before he gets his hands on Abby, and thus, she has to find a way to stop him. The catch is that she has one hour, after which the security protocol, activated by Hatchet, will alert the higher authorities, who will then send a drone to wipe out the entire facility along with those within it. You can stream ‘Black Site’ here and find out what fate awaits Abby and her team.
7. Hot Shots! (1991)
Directed by Jim Abrahams, this ‘Top Gun’ spoof stars Charlie Sheen as Topper Harley, a US Navy aviator suffering from mental health issues. However, he agrees to be a part of a secret mission by his commander Block, who intends to use him as a pawn in the mission that is planned to fail. This will allow Block to replace the Navy’s planes with new ones that will bring him personal profit. Whether Topper can dig up the truth and save the lives of his co-pilot/friends is what we find out in this cult comedy that takes a dig at not only ‘Top Gun’ but also many other films, including ‘Superman,’ ‘Rocky,’ ‘9½ Weeks,’ ‘Dances with Wolves,’ and ‘Gone with the Wind.’ The movie co-stars Valeria Golino, Kevin Dunn, Lloyd Bridges, Cary Elwes, and Jon Cryer. You can watch ‘Hot Shots!’ here.
6. The 24th (2020)
‘The 24th’ dramatizes the Houston riot of 1917 in which more than 150 soldiers of the 24th Infantry Regiment (all-black) marched to Houston and opened fire. The act was motivated by constant racist hostility from the Houston Police Department (all-white) and the local white folk towards the soldiers at Camp Logan and the local black community. As horrific as the riot was, the film depicts the utterly disgusting mistreatment, both verbal and physical, of the people and soldiers of the black community by the white folk in a blood-boiling manner, one that makes you judge yourself for believing that what the soldiers did was only natural. Directed by Kevin Willmott, the movie stars Trai Byers, Mo McRae, Bashir Salahuddin, Aja Naomi King, and Mykelti Williamson. You can watch it here.
5. The Kill Team (2019)
A dark take on vigilante justice, Dan Krauss’s ‘The Kill Team’ focuses on Private Andrew Briggman (Nat Wolff), who is conflicted between his services as a US soldier and his morality as a human. His rogue unit, AKA the Kill Team, under the command of Staff Sergeant Deeks (Alexander Skarsgård), is ordered to murder innocent Afghan civilians. Based on the documentary of the same name by Krauss, the film is a hard-hitting military drama that fades the line between right and wrong in a visceral manner, showcasing the inexplicable nature of war. You can watch it here.
4. The Arctic Convoy (2023)
‘The Arctic Convoy’ is a Norwegian military movie directed by Henrik Martin Dahlsbakken and starring Tobias Santelmann, Jon Ranes, Adam Lundgren, Preben Hodneland, and Anders Baasmo. It follows a convoy tasked with delivering weapons and supplies to a Norwegian outpost for the Allied Forces in 1942 (World War II). However, they must go through enemy waters in order to deliver. How the 35 civilian merchant ships defend themselves against heavy German fire both from above and below is what we find out in this immensely gripping drama underscored by war strategies, moral conflicts, and sentiments. As stunning visually as it is story-wise, ‘The Arctic Convoy’ is inspired by real events and can be streamed right here.
3. 3 Days in Malay (2023)
Based on the events of the Guadalcanal Campaign, AKA Operation Watchtower (1942-1943: World War II), the Thai war drama is directed by Louis Mandylor. The campaign was the first major attack by the Allied Powers against Japan. The film showcases a three-day battle between a group of U.S. Marines and hordes of Japanese soldiers at a Malay airfield. Without any hope for support, the handful of Marines, led by Ex-Marine John Caputo (Mandylor), are forced to protect the civilians inside the airfield and defend it on their own. Brutal and entertaining, ‘3 Days in Malay’ does a commendable job as a military drama. Alongside Mandylor, we have Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson, Peter Dobson, and Donald Cerrone. You can watch the film here.
2. Behind Enemy Lines (2001)
Directed by John Moore, ‘Behind Enemy Lines’ is set during the Bosnian War (1992-1995). It centers on US Fighter Navigator Chris Burnett, whose plane is brought down by Serbian soldiers while he was flying over a demilitarized zone with suspicious activity. Chris somehow establishes contact with his commanding officer, Leslie Reigart, who gives him an extraction point. However, pressure from the top forces Reigart to change the plan of extraction, which means Chris will have to survive alone for a longer period of time. How long will that be? Starring Owen Wilson as Chris Burnett and Gene Hackman as Leslie Reigart, ‘Behind Enemy Lines’ is considered a cult classic action flick due to its gripping depiction of the war and its various layers. It can be streamed here.
1. The Thin Red Line (1998)
‘The Thin Red Line’ offers a dramatic re-enactment of the Battle of Mount Austen, which took place during World War II. Centering on the American soldiers of a particular company within the 25th Infantry Division, the movie incorporates the heavy physical and mental toll the war takes on them as they face the wrath of the Japanese forces in Guadalcanal on the Solomon Islands. Past, present, and future are all mixed up as the young men with guns go on a seemingly endless run. Starring Sean Penn, George Clooney, Adrien Brody, Woody Harrelson, John Cusack, and Jim Caviezel, ‘The Thin Red Line’ is based on James Jones’ eponymous novel and offers a disturbing take on war, which is what any war is. The epic drama, directed by Terrence Malick, won the Golden Bear at the 49th Berlin International Film Festival. You can watch it here.
Read More: Best Western Movies on Hulu
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