Man of War review: A rescue mission set against the first days of war
By Katemarthason Okudo, July 6, 2026Man of War is an action war thriller that follows a former military operative forced back into danger when a family member disappears during the early days of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The 2026 film centres on Connor, a retired Navy SEAL and former CIA operative who has tried to leave his violent past behind. However, when Riley, an aid worker and someone close to him, goes missing in Ukraine, Connor has little choice but to return to the kind of life he hoped was over.
The film is built around a rescue mission, but it also looks at the personal cost of war. Connor is not presented as a perfect hero. He is guarded, hard to read and clearly carrying memories from previous missions. That makes his journey more than a simple fight against armed men. He is also trying to face the parts of his life that he has avoided.
What the film entails
The story begins as the war in Ukraine creates confusion, fear and broken communication. Civilians are trying to escape, aid workers are caught in dangerous areas, and armed groups are taking advantage of the disorder.
Riley’s disappearance becomes the turning point. Connor learns that she may have been taken hostage, pushing him to cross into a country where roads, towns and borders are no longer safe.
He is joined by Charlie, a man with military experience who understands the danger ahead. Charlie is not just there to carry a weapon. He also acts as a voice of caution, reminding Connor that every move could put more people at risk.
As Connor and Charlie move deeper into the conflict, they meet Bunny, another member of their small group. Bunny brings a different energy to the mission, helping to show that survival in a war zone depends on trust as much as skill.
Their biggest threat comes from Dany and Koniev, men linked to the violent forces operating in the area. They are not given long speeches or complicated backstories, but their presence keeps the mission tense. Connor’s group must work around checkpoints, armed patrols and shifting control of towns while trying to reach Riley before time runs out.
A familiar action story with a serious setting
Man of War uses a familiar action-film idea: a former soldier returns for one final mission. However, placing that story during the opening days of the Ukraine war gives the film a heavier background.
The film does not spend much time explaining the wider politics of the conflict. Instead, it keeps the focus on people trapped in the middle of it. Riley represents civilians and aid workers whose lives can change quickly when fighting begins. Connor represents someone trained for war but still affected by what he has seen.
The action scenes are direct and rough. Gunfights, road ambushes and close combat are used to show how quickly a rescue mission can become a fight for survival. The film moves at a steady pace and does not stay too long in one place.
Connor carries the emotional weight
Connor is the centre of the film because the mission is personal to him. His military training helps him make difficult decisions, but it also makes him distant from the people around him.
The film works best when it shows Connor trying to protect Riley while dealing with his own past. His relationship with Charlie also adds to the story, as the two men do not always see the mission in the same way.
Riley is important because she is more than a person waiting to be rescued. Her disappearance is what exposes the danger facing ordinary people during war.
Man of War is a straightforward action thriller with a serious setting. It uses the conflict to show the fear, confusion and human loss that come with fighting. At its heart, the film is about Connor’s attempt to save Riley before the violence around them closes in.