Controversial adaptation of "War of the Worlds" sweeps Prime Video despite harsh criticism

La new adaptation of “The War of the Worlds” Directed by Rich Lee, it hasn't gone unnoticed in the streaming world. Since its exclusive release on Prime Video on July 30, 2025, the film It has become one of the most talked about topics for unusual reasons: the unanimous rejection of both the public and professional critics.In fact, it is already one of the main bets to win the Razzie for worst film of the year.

In a matter of days, The film achieved an unusual 0% on Rotten Tomatoes after the consensus of the first reviews, and the reactions on social media have not been slow to multiply. Far from being forgotten, the film has positioned itself as one of the most viewed productions on the Amazon platform, bringing with it all kinds of negative assessments and debates about the appropriateness of certain creative approaches.

A risky digital approach and luxury cast

This remake, starring Ice Cube and Eva Longoria, explores an alien invasion from the perspective of the digital age., using the format known as “screenlife”. Here, All the action takes place across computer screens, mobile phones and tablets, with video calls, chats, and live streams serving as the narrative backbone. The decision was made in response to filming restrictions during the pandemic, attempting to convey the excitement and suspense of the film in a technological setting reminiscent of Orson Welles' historic 1938 radio broadcast, but adapted to today's digital culture.

In the plot, Ice Cube plays Will Radford, a cybersecurity analyst for the Department of Homeland Security who detects signs of a possible government conspiracy as humanity faces an alien attack. Far from the usual visual spectacle of destruction, a feeling of claustrophobia and permanent surveillance prevails., with the characters interacting mostly from a distance.

The cast is completed with names such as Eva Longoria, Clark Gregg, Andrea Savage, Henry Hunter Hall, Iman Benson and Michael O'Neill. However, Neither the presence of a well-known cast nor Rich Lee's direction can avoid criticism for the execution and narrative.The disconnect between actors is highlighted by the structure based on digital windows, as well as the lack of chemistry in the few in-person encounters.

Reception: negative record of reviews and viewing success

The critical reaction has been particularly strong.. Media such as The Telegraph, Variety and The Independent describe the film as ““absolute disaster”, “uncomfortable experience” or even “the worst possible adaptation of a classic novel”.

The most frequent reproaches focus on a Simple script, slow pace, and an insistent Amazon product placement that seems omnipresent in the plot.Variety's Peter Debarge even goes so far as to compare it to a long promotional ad for the brand's products.

As for reviews, the controversial film doesn't fare any better on other portals: It only gets a 3,6 out of 10 on Filmaffinity and has approximately 20% positive user reviews on Rotten Tomatoes.On Amazon, the average rating is around 1,8 out of 5, and the most voted comment by viewers advises against watching it even “under threat.”

The interest in testing how long one can resist one of the worst adaptations of the year has propelled it to the top spot on the streaming platform. According to FlixPatrol, it reached number one in popularity in up to 38 countries after its release, remaining at the top for over a week even as other offerings arrived on Prime Video.

A classic plot in a digital package

The story follows the path of the classic by HG Wells, but It forgoes epic battles and devastated landscapes to focus on Will Radford's individual perspective on the global crisis.Meteor warnings and the appearance of alien robots follow one another, while the protagonist tries to uncover whether there's an institutional cover-up behind it all. The "screenlife" format turns every open window, every video call, and every text message into a key element in developing the tension.

There's no shortage of suspenseful scenes in which everyday technologies—such as delivery drones and Tesla cars—are integrated into the plot, fostering a climate of distrust toward large tech corporations. The film explicitly uses the relationship between surveillance and corporate power as a dramatic starting point., although many viewers consider the experiment to be half-baked.

Where can you watch the new "War of the Worlds" and why has it caused such a stir?

The film is available exclusively on Prime Video from the end of July 2025., available in a wide variety of territories and with original version, subtitles and dubbing in Spanish.

Much of its unexpected success is due to a combination of the curiosity provoked by the bad reviews, the renown of the original work, and the presence of well-known stars. It's an example of how streaming can catapult even the most discussed and controversial releases to the top of the viewing charts..

Once again, the adaptation has proven that interest can be greater for its quality than for its cinematic quality. Despite its experimental format, its remarkable cast, and the backing of a leading platform, the overall reception remains negative. However, the film already holds a special place in the fanbase: for its ability to unite critics and audiences in their assessments and, above all, for demonstrating that sometimes what is most appealing is the unexpected.