Warhorse One

Warhorse One (2023) – A Gritty, Lone-Wolf Survival Thriller

Warhorse One (2023) is a bold directorial debut from co-heads Johnny Strong and William Kaufman, with Strong also starring as Master Chief Richard “Mirko,” a US Navy SEAL caught behind enemy lines in post-withdrawal Afghanistan . Spanning a harrowing 126 minutes, the film blends visceral action with stirring emotional beats—an indie war drama that leans heavily on survival, humanity, and the unlikely bond between a hardened soldier and a traumatized young girl 

The plot kicks into gear after a rescue-mission helicopter is shot down en route to evacuate missionaries. Mirko emerges as the lone survivor and discovers Zoe (Athena Durner), a five-year-old child clinging to life. The pair embark on a perilous trek through rugged mountains and Taliban-controlled territory, fighting not just for physical survival, but for emotional healing 

Strong delivers a stoic yet humane performance—his symbol of special forces professionalism grounded in emotional restraint. Meanwhile, Athena Durner makes a radiant debut as Zoe, with critics and audiences alike marking her portrayal as “Oscar-worthy” for its honesty and depth 
Together, their unexpected father-daughter rapport becomes the film’s emotional anchor. One poignant line—Mirko’s matter-of-fact explanation of death—carries weight far beyond its simplicity: “it’s a part of life; it happens to us all” 

Action sequences in Warhorse One are raw and uncompromising. Authentic gunplay, including realistic weapon malfunctions and reloads, earned praise from genre fans: one Reddit user noted, “He even threw in some tap rack bang weapon clears and dumping out misfeeds… refreshing to see” 

But the film isn’t without flaws. Criticisms include uneven pacing, repetitive firefights, and dialogue occasionally drowned out by loud music . Some viewers were unmoved by the simplistic political narrative and criticized the portrayal of the Taliban—with one describing them as “one-dimensional,” reinforcing “negative stereotypes” . The use of US locations to emulate Afghan landscapes also drew mockery, with one Redditor quipping they were “pretending you’re pew‑pewing in Texas,” and noting the absurdity of filming pseudo-Afghanistan in Texas and California 

Opinions remain polarized. Rotten Tomatoes flags a 73% critics’ score 
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, with The Action Elite giving a solid 3.5/5 for its grounded style and emotional resonance 

Notably, Johnny Strong’s involvement extends beyond acting—he also co-wrote, produced, directed, composed the music, edited, and executed stunts 
 That personal investment shines through, delivering gritty authenticity even within budgetary constraints.

In the end, Warhorse One is a testament to indie-level ambition in action cinema. It combines the visceral thrill of survival combat with heartfelt character dynamics. For viewers drawn to war dramas powered by lone heroes, wounded innocence, and redemption arcs, this indie offering is a raw, sincere experience—even if somewhat imperfect.

For those seeking emotional grit amid action, Warhorse One emerges as a compelling, if occasionally uneven, indie war thriller.