Netflix war drama 'The Mosquito Bowl' receives early praise at AFI Fest
Peter Berg's World War II film 'The Mosquito Bowl' debuted at AFI Fest, drawing commendations for its narrative while some critics note it leans on familiar war-movie tropes.
Netflix’s upcoming World War II drama "The Mosquito Bowl" premiered at the AFI Fest, where reviewers highlighted its powerful storytelling about two regiments that staged a football game on Guadalcanal in December 1944. The film, directed by Peter Berg and based on Buzz Bissinger’s best-selling book, follows college-football players who enlisted and later fought in the Battle of Okinawa, where 15 of the 65 participants were killed.
"This true story of the transition of young star players who signed up to serve their country in its darkest hour becomes one of the most effective antiwar films I have ever seen, one that never resorts to preaching or false patriotic rah-rah posturing," wrote Pete Hammond of Deadline.
"It is a statement eternal in its truth and devastating in its poignancy, one well worth keeping in mind any time the specter of battle is raised," said Angie Han of The Hollywood Reporter, adding that the film’s storytelling sometimes falls short of its visual scope.
Matt Neglia of Next Best Picture echoed the criticism, noting that while the performances of Bill Skarsgård, Ray Nicholson and Tom Francis are engaging, the movie feels derivative of earlier war epics and devotes limited screen time to the titular football match.
The 126-minute feature is scheduled for a limited theatrical release on October 30 before streaming on Netflix on November 25.