Behind a cult title and a bankable cast, a divisive gamble. Why is this War of the Worlds stirring up so much chatter on Prime Video? And what if, despite everything, curiosity ends up saving it?

Having landed on Prime Video, Rich Lee’s “War of the Worlds” is weathering a storm of criticism. With a paltry 4% critics’ score and audiences at 21%, the film is already filed among 2025’s misfires. Its producer, Patrick Aiello, refuses to throw in the towel, standing by his choices and a take distinct from earlier versions. Fronted by Ice Cube and Eva Longoria, the project is now banking on the power of streaming to flip the narrative.

A risky bet for “War of the Worlds” on Prime Video

The film “War of the Worlds”, streaming on Prime Video, has sparked strong reactions—for all the wrong reasons. Directed by Rich Lee, this modern take on H. G. Wells’s classic novel had raised expectations, not least thanks to a promising cast including Ice Cube and Eva Longoria. Yet critics and audiences came down hard on it.

Despite its stated ambitions, the film is saddled with a disastrous score: 4% from the trade press and 21% from audiences. Enough to stun science fiction fans, who are often forgiving of the genre. What kept this project from truly getting off the ground?

Scathing reviews from all sides

Far from generating buzz, “War of the Worlds” quickly became a target for specialist outlets. Fish Jelly Films called it a “chaotic mess,” while The Age described it as “a total misfire on every level.” The visual effects—a crucial pillar for this sort of production—were also deemed dated and unconvincing.

Meanwhile, performances by Ice Cube and Eva Longoria, both marquee names, couldn’t turn the tide. According to ScreenAnarchy, their acting is “hobbled by a script that collapses in on itself.” A harsh assessment that highlights the feature’s structural flaws from start to finish.

Patrick Aiello, standing firm in the storm

Confronted with a torrent of negative comments, producer Patrick Aiello didn’t hesitate to step up and defend his project. In a recent statement, he emphasized the film’s audacity. “Making a film means taking risks. You can’t please everyone, and that’s normal,” he said in response to the backlash.

For Aiello, it was vital to bring a new vision to the “War of the Worlds” universe, even if it meant straying from the storied versions of the past. He still hopes the film will find an audience, particularly on Prime Video, where controversial titles often draw viewers out of sheer curiosity.

And now, an uncertain future

The fate of “War of the Worlds” now rests on an increasingly common practice: “hate-watching”. This phenomenon, which prompts some viewers to watch controversial works, could ultimately work in the film’s favor. After all, critical failure isn’t always synonymous with commercial failure, as some past titles have shown.

Patrick Aiello still believes in the project: “With Prime Video, every film gets a second chance. We want to make an impression on subscribers, whether they like it or not,” he said. Whether this persuasion strategy will be enough to turn around such a poor start remains to be seen.