We’ve definitely seen a lot of war films and so many sports films. But not many of us can attest to have watched a war-sports film. Every year around this time, Netflix starts to put up a couple of movies in theatres. Most of these movies are certainly going to be pushed during the award season.
And one movie that already has people talking is ‘The Mosquito Bowl.’ Actually, it is difficult not to be a little cynical about this Peter Berg’s grimly serious action feature situated at the intersection of two predominant male interests: football and the second world war.
The movie takes its name from a pickup football game conducted between battle-hardened Marine units on a Guadalcanal on Dec.24, 1944. Of course, this is as they wait for orders to invade Okinawa. Some of the players had been college stars.
Purdue’s great fullback Tony Butkovich (Ray Nicholson) faced Wisconsin phenoms Dave Schreiner (Tom Francis) and Bob Baumann (Bill Skarsgard). Brown standout John McLaughry (Nicholas Galitzine) was playing against Harvard.
All four men trained at Parris Island, became Marines and shipped out to the Pacific. The four take part in a legendary football game that offers a brief return to their former lives.The Mosquito Bowl was the last football game they ever played.
It is surprising that the Mosquito Bowl went overlooked by Hollywood for more than 80 years. Berg, who co-wrote the screenplay with Mark L. Smith, doesn’t rush to get to the Mosquito Bowl part of his Mosquito Bowl movie.
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The director takes time to introduce his characters. This is despite the fact that they are not introduced as deep individuals. He also makes the “war” part of the war so overwhelming that the sporting elements fade away for large chunks of the film. As they should.
The approach to this movie is appropriate. After all, ‘The Mosquito Bowl’ makes heavy-handed points in a subtle way. However, that simplicity trickles down to the actors. I would say that this film was designed to get your parental units out of their chairs and screaming; Hurray for America.
This film highlights not only the disparity of war but also the reality of that there are so many people being thrown away as the punts of war from both sides. The movie also does well in terms of production design. There’s a great use of practical effects, which is easily noticeable by any movie lover.
We can definitely say that this movie is a great success since it does what it was supposed to do. But there’s a good chance you might not get excited about how much certain parts of the movie totally bite.
Either way, this is one movie that you should consider watching if this review is anything to go with. You’ll definitely fall in love with how everything has been played out.
“The Mosquito Bowl” opens theatrically on Oct. 30, before its debut on Netflix on Nov. 25, 2026.
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