Warhorse One (2025)

Plot Summary of Warhorse One (2023)

Set during the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, Warhorse One tells the story of Master Chief Richard Mirko, a Navy SEAL who survives a Black Hawk helicopter crash behind enemy lines. After discovering that the rest of his team has been wiped out, Mirko finds a lone survivor: a young Afghan girl whose family was killed by the Taliban.

Despite being wounded and surrounded by enemy fighters, Mirko commits himself to protecting the girl and getting her to safety—risking his life in a journey through mountainous terrain, ambushes, and emotional breakdowns.

Themes:

• Brotherhood and duty

• Moral courage vs. military orders

• Psychological trauma and redemption

• The human cost of modern warfare

Production Background

• Directors: Johnny Strong & William Kaufman

• Starring: Johnny Strong, Athena Durner

• Studio: Well Go USA Entertainment

• Budget: Independent (modest budget, high ambition)

• Runtime: Approx. 2 hours

• Release: Theatrical debut on June 30, 2023 → VOD and Blu-ray in Q3 2023

Johnny Strong not only starred in the lead role but also co-directed and co-wrote the screenplay. His performance was praised for emotional restraint and physical authenticity, with the combat sequences drawing attention for their realism and grounded choreography.

Reception and Cult Following

• Critical Reviews: Mixed to positive; praised for realistic tone, pacing, and emotional depth

• Audience Response: Gained a strong following among veterans, military families, and fans of films like Lone Survivor and American Sniper

• Rotten Tomatoes: Not widely reviewed by critics, but earned decent audience scores

• Home Media: Performed well on digital rental platforms and Blu-ray in the U.S. and select international markets

Many praised the film for focusing not on flashy heroics but on survival, pain, and the cost of war—especially through the eyes of a soldier who still holds onto his sense of humanity.

Is Warhorse One 2 Coming in 2025?

So far, no sequel has been officially announced. However:

• The final moments of the first film leave the door open for continuation—Mirko survives and is left emotionally shaken, suggesting unresolved arcs.

• Cast and crew have hinted at interest in returning, though no scripts or production dates have been made public.

• Fan campaigns on forums like Reddit and Letterboxd have called for a sequel, praising the film as “underrated” and “the most authentic post-9/11 combat movie in years.”

A 2025 release is possible if production is already quietly underway, but nothing has been confirmed by Well Go USA or the filmmakers.