Enter a Rotten Tomatoes movie slug to inspect the stored movie, batches, snapshots, and reviews.
Movie ID: 917
RT slug: the_brink_of_war
RT URL: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_brink_of_war
Release year: 2026
Runtime: 117 mins
Wide release date: 2026-08-14
Limited release date: —
Festival premiere date: —
Streaming release date: —
Tomatometer final: —
Audience score final: —
Genres: Drama, History, Mystery & Thriller, War
Directors: Michael Russell Gunn
Writers: Michael Russell Gunn
Producers: Christopher Hammond, John Logan Pierson, Matt Aragachi, Michael Russell Gunn, Sidney Kimmel, Tyler Zacharia
MPAA rating: PG
Executive Producers: —
Created: 2026-07-24 18:39:27
Updated: 2026-07-28 15:10:02
President Reagan races against time to salvage a deal with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev that could dismantle nuclear arsenals--or ignite disaster. With pressure mounting from advisors, intelligence agencies, and history itself, every word spoken brings the world closer to peace... or destruction.
—
Canonical reviews: 43
Canonical fresh: 31
Canonical rotten: 12
Canonical calculated Tomatometer: 72%
Latest snapshot UTC: 2026-08-22 20:43:17
Snapshot Tomatometer: 72%
Snapshot review count: 43
Snapshot fresh count: —
Snapshot rotten count: —
Source note: Imported from manual review paste batch #3012 (delta_update)
| Company | Role |
|---|---|
| Angel Studios | distributor |
| 2521 Entertainment | production |
| SK Global | production |
| Billing | Name | Character |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeff Daniels | Ronald Reagan |
| 2 | Jared Harris | Mikhail Gorbachev |
| 3 | J.K. Simmons | George Shultz |
| 4 | Aya Cash | Cleo |
| 5 | Guy Burnet | Alexander |
| Batch ID | Status | Mode | Created | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 933 | processed | — | 2026-07-24 18:39:27 | Processed successfully into movie_id=917 using update_mode=merge_non_empty. |
| Batch ID | Local Snapshot | UTC Snapshot | Entered % | Entered Count | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3012 | 2026-08-22 15:43:00 (America/Panama) | 2026-08-22 20:43:17 | 72% | 43 | processed | Mode=delta_update. Processed 2 row(s); 0 row error(s). Parsed unique reviews in this batch=2, fresh=1, rotten=1, tomatometer=50%. Net new reviews added=2, fresh=1, rotten=1. Current canonical totals=43 reviews, 31 fresh, 12 rotten, tomatometer=72% (72.093%). Entered headline matched current canonical totals (43 reviews, 72%). |
| 2908 | 2026-08-20 08:24:00 (America/Panama) | 2026-08-20 13:24:07 | 73% | 41 | processed | Mode=delta_update. Processed 2 row(s); 0 row error(s). Parsed unique reviews in this batch=2, fresh=2, rotten=0, tomatometer=100%. Net new reviews added=2, fresh=2, rotten=0. Current canonical totals=41 reviews, 30 fresh, 11 rotten, tomatometer=73% (73.171%). Entered headline matched current canonical totals (41 reviews, 73%). |
| 2858 | 2026-08-18 20:13:00 (America/Panama) | 2026-08-19 01:13:20 | 72% | 39 | processed | Mode=delta_update. Processed 3 row(s); 0 row error(s). Parsed unique reviews in this batch=3, fresh=2, rotten=1, tomatometer=67%. Net new reviews added=3, fresh=2, rotten=1. Current canonical totals=39 reviews, 28 fresh, 11 rotten, tomatometer=72% (71.795%). Entered headline matched current canonical totals (39 reviews, 72%). |
| 2841 | 2026-08-17 02:54:00 (America/Panama) | 2026-08-17 07:54:19 | 72% | 36 | processed | Mode=delta_update. Processed 2 row(s); 0 row error(s). Parsed unique reviews in this batch=2, fresh=2, rotten=0, tomatometer=100%. Net new reviews added=1, fresh=1, rotten=0. Current canonical totals=36 reviews, 26 fresh, 10 rotten, tomatometer=72% (72.222%). Entered headline matched current canonical totals (36 reviews, 72%). |
| 2831 | 2026-08-16 04:13:00 (America/Panama) | 2026-08-16 09:13:48 | 71% | 35 | processed | Mode=delta_update. Processed 2 row(s); 0 row error(s). Parsed unique reviews in this batch=2, fresh=1, rotten=1, tomatometer=50%. Net new reviews added=2, fresh=1, rotten=1. Current canonical totals=35 reviews, 25 fresh, 10 rotten, tomatometer=71% (71.429%). Entered headline matched current canonical totals (35 reviews, 71%). |
| 2827 | 2026-08-15 14:41:00 (America/Panama) | 2026-08-15 19:41:54 | 73% | 33 | processed | Mode=delta_update. Processed 1 row(s); 0 row error(s). Parsed unique reviews in this batch=1, fresh=1, rotten=0, tomatometer=100%. Net new reviews added=1, fresh=1, rotten=0. Current canonical totals=33 reviews, 24 fresh, 9 rotten, tomatometer=73% (72.727%). Entered headline matched current canonical totals (33 reviews, 73%). |
| 2825 | 2026-08-15 13:46:00 (America/Panama) | 2026-08-15 18:46:54 | 72% | 32 | processed | Mode=delta_update. Processed 1 row(s); 0 row error(s). Parsed unique reviews in this batch=1, fresh=1, rotten=0, tomatometer=100%. Net new reviews added=1, fresh=1, rotten=0. Current canonical totals=32 reviews, 23 fresh, 9 rotten, tomatometer=72% (71.875%). Entered headline matched current canonical totals (32 reviews, 72%). |
| 2794 | 2026-08-14 20:41:00 (America/Panama) | 2026-08-15 01:41:42 | 71% | 31 | processed | Mode=delta_update. Processed 2 row(s); 0 row error(s). Parsed unique reviews in this batch=2, fresh=1, rotten=1, tomatometer=50%. Net new reviews added=2, fresh=1, rotten=1. Current canonical totals=31 reviews, 22 fresh, 9 rotten, tomatometer=71% (70.968%). Entered headline matched current canonical totals (31 reviews, 71%). |
| 2785 | 2026-08-14 16:01:00 (America/Panama) | 2026-08-14 21:01:42 | 72% | 29 | processed | Mode=delta_update. Processed 1 row(s); 0 row error(s). Parsed unique reviews in this batch=1, fresh=1, rotten=0, tomatometer=100%. Net new reviews added=1, fresh=1, rotten=0. Current canonical totals=29 reviews, 21 fresh, 8 rotten, tomatometer=72% (72.414%). Entered headline matched current canonical totals (29 reviews, 72%). |
| 2783 | 2026-08-14 15:26:00 (America/Panama) | 2026-08-14 20:26:42 | 71% | 28 | processed | Mode=delta_update. Processed 2 row(s); 0 row error(s). Parsed unique reviews in this batch=2, fresh=1, rotten=1, tomatometer=50%. Net new reviews added=2, fresh=1, rotten=1. Current canonical totals=28 reviews, 20 fresh, 8 rotten, tomatometer=71% (71.429%). Entered headline matched current canonical totals (28 reviews, 71%). |
| 2770 | 2026-08-14 12:31:00 (America/Panama) | 2026-08-14 17:31:43 | 73% | 26 | processed | Mode=delta_update. Processed 1 row(s); 0 row error(s). Parsed unique reviews in this batch=1, fresh=1, rotten=0, tomatometer=100%. Net new reviews added=1, fresh=1, rotten=0. Current canonical totals=26 reviews, 19 fresh, 7 rotten, tomatometer=73% (73.077%). Entered headline matched current canonical totals (26 reviews, 73%). |
| 2766 | 2026-08-14 12:01:00 (America/Panama) | 2026-08-14 17:01:44 | 72% | 25 | processed | Mode=delta_update. Processed 2 row(s); 0 row error(s). Parsed unique reviews in this batch=2, fresh=2, rotten=0, tomatometer=100%. Net new reviews added=2, fresh=2, rotten=0. Current canonical totals=25 reviews, 18 fresh, 7 rotten, tomatometer=72% (72.000%). Entered headline matched current canonical totals (25 reviews, 72%). |
| 2764 | 2026-08-14 11:36:00 (America/Panama) | 2026-08-14 16:36:42 | 70% | 23 | processed | Mode=delta_update. Processed 1 row(s); 0 row error(s). Parsed unique reviews in this batch=1, fresh=1, rotten=0, tomatometer=100%. Net new reviews added=1, fresh=1, rotten=0. Current canonical totals=23 reviews, 16 fresh, 7 rotten, tomatometer=70% (69.565%). Entered headline matched current canonical totals (23 reviews, 70%). |
| 2760 | 2026-08-14 10:06:00 (America/Panama) | 2026-08-14 15:06:42 | 68% | 22 | processed | Mode=delta_update. Processed 2 row(s); 0 row error(s). Parsed unique reviews in this batch=2, fresh=2, rotten=0, tomatometer=100%. Net new reviews added=2, fresh=2, rotten=0. Current canonical totals=22 reviews, 15 fresh, 7 rotten, tomatometer=68% (68.182%). Entered headline matched current canonical totals (22 reviews, 68%). |
| 2738 | 2026-08-14 04:46:00 (America/Panama) | 2026-08-14 09:46:50 | 65% | 20 | processed | Mode=delta_update. Processed 11 row(s); 0 row error(s). Parsed unique reviews in this batch=11, fresh=9, rotten=2, tomatometer=82%. Net new reviews added=11, fresh=9, rotten=2. Current canonical totals=20 reviews, 13 fresh, 7 rotten, tomatometer=65% (65.000%). Entered headline matched current canonical totals (20 reviews, 65%). |
| 2725 | 2026-08-13 04:00:00 (America/Panama) | 2026-08-13 09:00:33 | — | 9 | processed | Mode=delta_update. Processed 3 row(s); 0 row error(s). Parsed unique reviews in this batch=3, fresh=2, rotten=1, tomatometer=67%. Net new reviews added=3, fresh=2, rotten=1. Current canonical totals=9 reviews, 4 fresh, 5 rotten, tomatometer=44% (44.444%). WARNING: delta batch had no complete entered headline values, so no rt_score_snapshot row was created. |
| 2704 | 2026-08-12 03:52:00 (America/Panama) | 2026-08-12 08:52:18 | — | 6 | processed | Mode=delta_update. Processed 6 row(s); 0 row error(s). Parsed unique reviews in this batch=6, fresh=2, rotten=4, tomatometer=33%. Net new reviews added=6, fresh=2, rotten=4. Current canonical totals=6 reviews, 2 fresh, 4 rotten, tomatometer=33% (33.333%). WARNING: delta batch had no complete entered headline values, so no rt_score_snapshot row was created. |
| ID | Critic | Outlet | Fresh? | Score | RT Time Raw | Approx Published UTC | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 249645 | Tom Meek | Cambridge Day | Rotten | 2/4 | 2026-08-21T18:08:59.000Z | 2026-08-21 18:08:59 | There’s just not enough heft or hook to turn a footnote into a feature. |
| 249646 | Alan Ng | Film Threat | Fresh | 8.5/10 | 2026-08-20T20:07:14.000Z | 2026-08-20 20:07:14 | The Brink of War is a must-see film for anyone interested in Cold War history. |
| 246355 | Linda Cook | OurQuadCities / WHBF-TV (Illinois) | Fresh | — | 2026-08-20T07:13:22.000Z | 2026-08-20 07:13:22 | 2 1/2 stars It's an above-average look at one moment in the Cold War. |
| 246356 | Ruth Maramis | FlixChatter Film Blog | Fresh | 3/5 | 2026-08-19T17:50:12.000Z | 2026-08-19 17:50:12 | The stellar leads elevate this historical drama about defusing the Cold War nuclear crisis. In an increasingly polarized world, I appreciate a story that explores ways to bridge those divides. |
| 244794 | Frank Swietek | One Guy's Opinion | Rotten | C | 2026-08-18T17:21:40.000Z | 2026-08-18 17:21:40 | In casting the fall of communism as a Reagan accomplishment, Gunn has oversimplified the complexity of a long historical process in a film that’s basically just one more chapter of Thomas Carlyle’s Great Man theory of history, reductive in the extreme. |
| 244795 | Erik Childress | Movie Madness Podcast | Fresh | 3/4 | 2026-08-18T14:12:17.000Z | 2026-08-18 14:12:17 | When the film sticks to the performances of Daniels, Harris and Simmons in the room where it supposedly happened it can be compelling. When it goes outside it is a lot of clunky filler. |
| 244796 | Alfred Castaneda | Shade Studios | Fresh | — | 2026-08-18T05:19:09.000Z | 2026-08-18 05:19:09 | There are some effective performances here, even though once the film ends it feels like watching events unfold from your textbook as opposed to witnessing a gripping drama. |
| 244708 | Stephen Silver | The SS Ben Hecht | Fresh | — | 2026-08-16T19:11:26.000Z | 2026-08-16 19:11:26 | Jared Harris is convincing as the last Soviet leader, but Jeff Daniels’ Reagan impression is inconsistent. (19FortyFive) |
| 244659 | Todd Gilchrist | TheWrap | Rotten | — | 2026-08-16T04:17:16.000Z | 2026-08-16 04:17:16 | Gunn’s lacking aptitude as a first-time feature director limits the drama that can be wrung out of two men — even these two men — bickering in a room with one another over the fate of humanity. |
| 244660 | Patrick McDonald | HollywoodChicago.com | Fresh | 4/5 | 2026-08-16T01:25:39.000Z | 2026-08-16 01:25:39 | Nicely done historical overview that despite the Reagan love, manages to create empathy through great performances – Jeff Daniels in particular brings a humanity to Ronnie – and some stellar cinema. Mr Gorbachev, tear down our perceptions! |
| 244650 | Keith Garlington | Keith & the Movies | Fresh | 4/5 | 2026-08-15T18:59:09.000Z | 2026-08-15 18:59:09 | With “The Brink of War”, writer-director Michael Russell Gunn chronicles the Reykjavík Summit, offering fascinating historical and political perspectives into the talks, their ultimate collapse, and the shaky trust that grew between the two leaders. |
| 244648 | Michael Cook | KLRT-TV | Fresh | 7.5/10 | 2026-08-15T18:15:41.000Z | 2026-08-15 18:15:41 | If you're a big history buff, this movie is for you. |
| 243349 | Nora Lee Mandel | Maven's Nest | Fresh | 7/10 | 2026-08-15T01:10:03.000Z | 2026-08-15 01:10:03 | Worthy nostalgia for a time in 1986 when direct talks between adversarial world leaders could lead to a legacy of arms reduction |
| 243350 | Michael Clark | Epoch Times | Rotten | 2.5/5 | 2026-08-15T01:02:06.000Z | 2026-08-15 01:02:06 | Except for successfully imitating Reagan’s imposing gait, Daniels’s rendering is an absolute train wreck. Appearing not even to try to capture Reagan’s voice, speech patterns, or facial expressions, Daniels is way out of his depth here. |
| 243331 | Jeremy Jahns | JeremyJahns.com | Fresh | — | 2026-08-14T20:26:12.000Z | 2026-08-14 20:26:12 | Of the movies you will sleep through in history class, this one pretty good. |
| 243327 | Peter Travers | The Travers Take | Rotten | 2/4 | 2026-08-14T20:10:01.000Z | 2026-08-14 20:10:01 | Jeff Daniels is Reagan and Jared Harris is Gorbachev. And 40 years after their nuclear summit comes a super-stodgy movie reminder that has all the visual punch of a book on tape. |
| 243328 | Rachel Wagner | Rachel's Reviews (YouTube) | Fresh | — | 2026-08-14T19:43:09.000Z | 2026-08-14 19:43:09 | The acting is good. It's an interesting event and it inspired me to learn more |
| 243302 | Rick Bentley | KGET-TV (Bakersfield, CA) | Fresh | B- | 2026-08-14T17:04:41.000Z | 2026-08-14 17:04:41 | This film is not for those who demand high-energy action in their summer offerings. It is for those who can appreciate the historic significance of the moment being presented in a first-class acting manner. |
| 243296 | Jim Vejvoda | IGN Movies | Fresh | 7/10 | 2026-08-14T16:35:41.000Z | 2026-08-14 16:35:41 | The stolid, old school The Brink of War depicts world leaders looking for solutions and engaging in dialogue, a welcome notion at this particularly turbulent moment in time. |
| 243297 | Steven Prokopy | Third Coast Review | Fresh | 3/4 | 2026-08-14T16:30:55.000Z | 2026-08-14 16:30:55 | The Brink of War finds ways to be both passionate and history-book dry, and that’s exactly the tone that’s needed. |
| 243292 | Al Alexander | Movies Thru the Spectrum | Fresh | B- | 2026-08-14T16:05:50.000Z | 2026-08-14 16:05:50 | Yes, there are far too many instances in which Gunn uses expository dialogue as a crutch. And Daniels does indeed look freakish. But overall, "The Brink of War" is a compelling watch. |
| 243284 | Adam Kempenaar | Filmspotting | Fresh | 3/5 | 2026-08-14T14:48:19.000Z | 2026-08-14 14:48:19 | An on-the-nose paean to good ol’ boy diplomacy that’s nevertheless enjoyable—and worth heeding. |
| 243285 | Richard Roeper | RogerEbert.com | Fresh | 2.5/4 | 2026-08-14T14:43:53.000Z | 2026-08-14 14:43:53 | It’s a testament to the star power and forceful talents of Daniels and Harris that we never grow restless with the static nature of the proceedings. |
| 243138 | Russ Simmons | KKFI-FM (Kansas City) | Fresh | 3/5 | 2026-08-14T01:14:35.000Z | 2026-08-14 01:14:35 | While it isn’t dramatically riveting, it’s well-acted and surprisingly timely. "The Brink of War" is a thoughtful and involving history lesson. |
| 243139 | Glenn Kenny | New York Times | Fresh | — | 2026-08-13T22:19:02.000Z | 2026-08-13 22:19:02 | What pleasure and intrigue the movie has is provided by its top-billed cast. |
| 243140 | Kyle Smith | Wall Street Journal | Fresh | — | 2026-08-13T20:55:22.000Z | 2026-08-13 20:55:22 | The movie does a service in painting a fair and convincing portrait of one of the 20th century’s defining political leaders minus the hammy hagiography. |
| 243141 | Robert Denerstein | Denerstein Unleashed | Rotten | — | 2026-08-13T20:43:00.000Z | 2026-08-13 20:43:00 | In all, the movie's style feels musty and dated, as if it has been shackled to the need for period authenticity and seriousness, which is understandable but less than exciting. |
| 243142 | Mike McGranaghan | Aisle Seat | Fresh | 3/4 | 2026-08-13T19:43:42.000Z | 2026-08-13 19:43:42 | Harris and Daniels are an exceptional onscreen duo. |
| 243143 | Christian Toto | HollywoodInToto.com | Fresh | 3/4 | 2026-08-13T18:46:19.000Z | 2026-08-13 18:46:19 | Jeff Daniels, Jared Harris bring world leaders to life in smart, satisfying historical drama. |
| 243144 | Thelma Adams | AARP Movies for Grownups | Fresh | 3/5 | 2026-08-13T17:21:51.000Z | 2026-08-13 17:21:51 | A static script, awkward blocking and disconnected performances turn down the heat. Still, revisiting world leaders trading opinions 40 years ago on nuclear war feels relevant in the Trump-Putin era and worth a watch. |
| 243145 | Mick LaSalle | San Francisco Chronicle | Fresh | 3/4 | 2026-08-13T16:51:53.000Z | 2026-08-13 16:51:53 | What makes Daniels a persuasive Reagan, or at least persuasive enough, is that his performance isn’t merely surface. He locates Reagan internally as a man whose geniality barely masks a spine of steel. |
| 243146 | Mark Dujsik | Mark Reviews Movies | Rotten | 2/4 | 2026-08-13T14:00:16.000Z | 2026-08-13 14:00:16 | [T]he main goal here is to present the meeting as it likely happened, while making sure Reagan is treated as an almost-holy figure... |
| 243147 | Edward Douglas | The Weekend Warrior (Substack) | Fresh | 6.5/10 | 2026-08-13T13:10:04.000Z | 2026-08-13 13:10:04 | The film feels fairly unmemorable, making it hard to fully recommend to anyone but the most avid of world history buffs. |
| 243148 | Christopher Lloyd | The Film Yap | Fresh | 4/5 | 2026-08-13T12:05:03.000Z | 2026-08-13 12:05:03 | Three terrific actors go toe-to-toe in this account of the 1986 nuclear arms summit between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev that some say changed the world. |
| 241427 | Charles Koplinski | Reel Talk with Chuck and Pam | Rotten | 2.5/4.0 | 2026-08-13T04:09:23.000Z | 2026-08-13 04:09:23 | What could have been a very dry history lesson proves compelling thanks to the strong performances from the two leads. |
| 241428 | Robert Kojder | Flickering Myth | Fresh | 3/5 | 2026-08-12T20:04:11.000Z | 2026-08-12 20:04:11 | At times, it’s as dry as the Cold War conflict itself, but it’s also a wordy affair carried with the necessary weight and conviction by Jeff Daniels and Jared Harris #TheBrinkofWar |
| 241429 | M.N. Miller | FandomWire | Fresh | 7/10 | 2026-08-12T13:34:47.000Z | 2026-08-12 13:34:47 | The Brink of War commands the viewer’s respect as a cerebral political pressure cooker that feels more human than most. |
| 239219 | Avi Offer | NYC Movie Guru | Rotten | — | 2026-08-12T03:49:24.000Z | 2026-08-12 03:49:24 | A stuffy, stodgy and dry political drama with a solid ensemble cast. |
| 239220 | Mark Keizer | MovieWeb | Fresh | 3.5/5 | 2026-08-12T01:37:01.000Z | 2026-08-12 01:37:01 | An engrossing, detail-clogged history lesson. |
| 239221 | Luke Y. Thompson | Mortal Cinema (Substack) | Rotten | — | 2026-08-12T01:19:07.000Z | 2026-08-12 01:19:07 | Trust some of what you see in this movie...but verify! |
| 239222 | Guy Lodge | Variety | Rotten | — | 2026-08-12T01:05:35.000Z | 2026-08-12 01:05:35 | It feels veritably designed (right down to its PG rating) to bore kids in history classrooms for generations to come. Adult audiences may be more willing when The Brink of War opens wide on Friday, but it’s doubtful they’ll be much more entertained. |
| 239223 | Nick Schager | The Daily Beast | Fresh | — | 2026-08-12T01:01:48.000Z | 2026-08-12 01:01:48 | A serviceable history lesson whose hagiographic earnestness is offset by understated turns from its leads and a persuasive pro-democracy, anti-communism attitude. |
| 239224 | Frank Scheck | The Hollywood Reporter | Rotten | — | 2026-08-12T01:01:41.000Z | 2026-08-12 01:01:41 | The visual touches aren’t enough to prevent The Brink of War from feeling like an academic history lesson rather than living, breathing drama. |
Showing the latest 100 canonical reviews for this movie.