Warhorse One is a 2023 war action drama directed by William Kaufman and Johnny Strong, who also stars, co-writes, composes the score, and handles multiple production roles. This low-budget indie film, set during the 2021 U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan, aims for a gritty, emotional rescue story but struggles with inconsistent execution, questionable portrayals, and technical flaws. Despite some heartfelt moments and intense action, it’s a polarizing film that divides audiences between those who admire its sincerity and those who criticize its shortcomings.

Plot Summary

The film follows Navy SEAL Master Chief Richard Mirko (Johnny Strong), codenamed “Warhorse One,” on a mission to rescue a missionary family in Afghanistan as U.S. forces withdraw in 2021. After a helicopter crash kills his team, Mirko, thrown from the wreckage, survives and defies orders to pursue the mission alone. He discovers the missionaries’ vehicle ambushed, with only a traumatized 5-year-old girl, Zoe Walters (Athena Durner), alive. Mirko must guide Zoe through hostile Taliban territory and the brutal Afghan wilderness to reach safety, facing relentless insurgents and personal demons. The story emphasizes themes of heroism, sacrifice, and protecting the innocent, with a straightforward “one-man-army” narrative reminiscent of 1980s action films like Rambo.

Cast and Performances

• Johnny Strong as Richard Mirko delivers a stoic, commanding performance, embodying the archetypal battle-hardened soldier. His dedication is evident, and he carries the film with physicality and quiet intensity, though some find his brooding machismo one-dimensional.

• Athena Durner as Zoe Walters is a standout, delivering a surprisingly nuanced performance for a young, first-time actor. Her wide-eyed vulnerability and chemistry with Strong provide the film’s emotional core, though her role is limited by the script’s focus on action.

• Supporting actors, including Raj Kala, James Sherrill, and Siya Rostami as Taliban insurgents, are serviceable but underdeveloped, often reduced to generic villains. Critics note the Afghan characters fall into cultural stereotypes, with non-Afghan actors and minimal depth.
• Michael Sauers, a former Navy SEAL and tactical advisor, appears briefly, adding authenticity to military scenes.

The cast is predominantly male, with Zoe as the only significant female character, and the lack of diversity in Afghan portrayals has drawn criticism.

Direction and Style

Co-directors Kaufman and Strong aim for a grounded, tactical approach, contrasting with the flashy style of modern action films like John Wick. The film’s 2-hour-6-minute runtime feels overlong, with repetitive shootouts and slow pacing dragging the narrative. Filmed in Mineral Wells, Texas, and California’s Sierra Nevada, the lush, mountainous terrain looks more like the Rockies than Afghanistan, undermining immersion.

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