By: Natasha Archary
If modern warfare tickles your fancy, the latest Netflix action-packed film ‘Outside the Wire’, will have your full attention. Starring the “Avengers” hero Anthony Mackie, the futuristic take on war is gripping. Released mid January, the movie quickly landed the #1 spot on the streaming service’s top 10 list.
Set in the not-so-distant future, 2036, the story revolves around an android warrior, played by Mackie and a drone pilot, played by Damon Idris, who have to stop a nuclear attack.
Robotic soldiers take over
With computer-programmed armed drones in present day, the narrative that metal boots fighting our battles in the future doesn’t seem too far-fetched.
Mackie plays Leo, a top-secret prototype droid who isn’t quite a Terminator and yet not necessarily a morally just Captain America.
The idea that artificial intelligence with sentient ability, turning on humans has been a fear of high-tech war-power for years. We’ve seen this portrayed in “Terminator”, “Ex Machina” and “i-Robot” with Will Smith.
Outside the Wire (OTW) doesn’t take it there but the future depicted is frightening.
Mackie is impressive
He is. No doubt about it and it’s no wonder he’s been ear-marked as Captain America’s successor in the Marvel “Avengers” movies. One can’t help but draw comparisons between his role in OTW and his role as Falcon in the “Avengers”. It’s this spine-chilling parallel between morally just and evil, Leo vs Falcon.
What sets him apart in OTW is that he is able to think multiple steps ahead of the human soldiers, because of his computational build. He’s like Cyborg from “Titans”, only darker.
Without giving too much away, Leo is programmed to simulate a human, both physically and empathically. Which is why he questions his creators’ use of the advanced military weapon that he is, with hope that it won’t continue beyond him.
This should definitely be on your radar of must-sees this month.


