British Netflix subscribers are championing a 2017 war drama as a hidden gem, with many declaring it a cinematic masterpiece and one of the finest war films available on the platform.
A Soldier's Story Based on Real Experience
The film, titled Sand Castle, is set in 2003 during the early stages of the Iraq War. It follows Matt Ocre, a young Army Reserve civil affairs soldier who enlisted in July 2001 to pay for university. His unit is given the dangerous assignment of repairing a damaged water plant in the hostile village of Baqubah.
The screenplay's authenticity stems from writer Chris Roessner's own service as a machine gunner in Iraq's volatile Sunni Triangle. The movie features Nicholas Hoult in the lead role, supported by a cast including Logan Marshall-Green and Henry Cavill, who plays Captain Syverson.
Audience Acclaim Defies Critical Ratings
While the film holds a modest 47% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes, audience reception, particularly in the UK, has been overwhelmingly positive. Viewers have taken to online platforms to express their admiration, frequently using the term "underrated" to describe the production.
Entertainment site Collider highlighted Henry Cavill's performance, noting he "gets to show his darker side, humility, and ability to elevate those around him" in what they called an "underrated 2017 Netflix film." The review praised his portrayal of a veteran Special Forces operative confronting his own irrelevance.
Viewers Declare It a Must-See War Drama
On IMDb, user reviews echo this sentiment. One reviewer, jillian_altmann, called it an "amazing depiction of the mental and physical struggles a soldier goes through," adding that the characters' portrayed pain and fear made the film "believable and authentic."
Another viewer, Erikw-47823, went further, declaring Sand Castle "one of the best war movies I've ever seen" and awarding it a 10/10 score. They specifically praised the realistic details, such as the audio design depicting temporary deafness after an explosion.
The praise culminated with user Habat labelling the film a "masterpiece," commending its photography, sound, and immersive first-person perspective. The cast also includes Glen Powell and Tommy Flanagan in supporting roles.
Sand Castle is available to stream on Netflix now for subscribers seeking a gritty, authentic, and critically overlooked war drama.
