Alan Ritchson Reveals the Grueling Physical Toll of His New Netflix Movie

Photo: Ben King/Netflix

For Ritchson, embracing this visceral gauntlet and performing his own stunts was paramount to the film’s authenticity.

“I believe modern audiences are far too discerning to be fooled by the back of a stunt double’s head; it immediately breaks the immersion,” Ritchson explained to Polygon. “I strive to avoid that at all costs. Since I have the physical capability to handle these challenges, I want to be the one in the thick of it. If the audience is meant to suffer alongside the protagonist, I think that’s the only way to achieve true empathy.”

Photo: Ben King/Netflix

In War Machine, Ritchson portrays a candidate known simply as “81.” During a routine combat simulation in a desolate mountain range, his squad is caught off guard by an extraterrestrial invasion. Armed only with non-lethal training rounds, they must survive a high-tech onslaught, leading to a desperate, bruising flight across treacherous terrain.

Ritchson notes that the primary hurdle to doing his own stunts wasn’t the physical danger, but rather the logistical battle with insurance underwriters.

“We frequently clash with insurance providers regarding what I’m permitted to do on camera,” he says. “I tend to win those debates about 99% of the time, mainly because I’m adamant that we won’t film it any other way.”

Ultimately, the actor claims that no individual stunt was as taxing as the sheer lack of downtime during the marathon production.

Photo: Ben King/Netflix

“The cumulative exhaustion was my greatest adversary,” Ritchson admits. “There was zero recovery time. If one day wore me down, the following day was inevitably even more strenuous.”

He recalls hitting a wall midway through the shoot during the RASP obstacle course scenes. “I went in thinking my conditioning would carry me through, but the repetition was soul-crushing. By the time we were deep into the obstacle course, I genuinely questioned if I had enough left in the tank to finish the film.”

The role also carried a significant psychological weight. His character, 81, joins the Rangers to honor his brother, who perished in an ambush that left 81 both scarred and emotionally distant. Throughout the movie, he is forced to confront this trauma while under fire.

Photo: Ben King/Netflix

“People have suggested I lean toward Method acting, though it’s never intentional,” Ritchson reflects. “When you inhabit a character grappling with such profound shame and grief, it leaves a residue. It’s difficult to simply shake that off at the end of a workday.”

As a middle sibling himself, Ritchson utilized his personal family history to ground the performance. “I tapped into my own emotional well of guilt and shame. Playing a role like this inevitably stirs up things from your own life; it’s just an inescapable part of the craft.”

Despite the intensity, Ritchson’s naturally buoyant personality helped maintain his equilibrium. This balance is proving useful as he continues his collaboration with Hughes on a new project—a Vietnam War biopic centered on Medal of Honor recipient Michael Thornton.

“Patrick and I share a great shorthand on set,” Ritchson says. “Even when the material is dark or gruesome, we try to maintain a positive environment. A true professional delivers a powerful performance without letting the character’s darkness negatively impact the cast and crew.”

War Machine is now available for streaming on Netflix.

Source: Polygon