Prisoner of War (2025) is a harrowing, emotionally charged war drama that delves deep into the psyche of those caught behind enemy lines. Set during the closing days of a fictional modern conflict in Southeast Asia, the film follows Captain Elias Monroe, an American Special Forces officer who is captured during a covert rescue operation gone wrong. Stripped of his rank, weapons, and dignity, Monroe is transported to an isolated prison camp where hope is a luxury and survival is a daily battle.
The film is directed by David Lang, whose documentary-like style of filmmaking brings a sense of raw immediacy to the screen. Lang focuses not just on the brutality of war, but also the resilience of the human will. From the suffocating bamboo cages to the psychological torment inflicted by the prison commandant, every moment is a study in restraint, pain, and endurance.
What elevates Prisoner of War above standard war thrillers is its emotional depth. Rather than glorifying combat, it portrays war as dehumanizing and senseless. The film places strong emphasis on the relationships between the prisoners, particularly between Monroe and Lt. Phan, a former South Vietnamese officer who has survived in the camp for over five years. Their bond becomes the emotional core of the film, challenging ideologies, forging unexpected friendship, and providing moments of fragile hope.
One of the film’s greatest strengths is its refusal to descend into jingoism. Instead, it explores universal themes of guilt, betrayal, and redemption. Monroe is not a flawless hero. Haunted by orders that led to civilian casualties, he enters the camp already broken. His journey isn’t just about escaping the barbed wires of the jungle, but also escaping the moral prison of his past decisions.
Visually, the film is stark and immersive. The sound design emphasizes silence and whispers — a brilliant way to heighten tension in the claustrophobic camp setting. The score, composed by Hildur Guðnadóttir, is sparse yet emotionally overwhelming when needed.
Though Prisoner of War ends on a bittersweet note — with Monroe and a handful of survivors escaping into the wild — many questions are left unanswered. In a possible sequel, tentatively titled Prisoner of War: The Reckoning, the story could follow Monroe’s return home and his involvement in uncovering a government cover-up about the mission that led to his capture. Simultaneously, he might learn that not all prisoners made it out — and that Lt. Phan may still be alive in a hidden black site.
Blending psychological thriller with political conspiracy, the sequel could explore PTSD, state secrecy, and survivor’s guilt, positioning Monroe not as a war hero, but as a man on a moral crusade — not just to save others, but to save himself.
