The Brink of War (2026)

Most of The Brink of War is men in suits on opposite sides of a table in a small house in Iceland, arguing about missiles, and how much you enjoy it depends on how much you love a good negotiation. It runs 117 minutes, and in the stretches where both sides restate their positions, you feel every one. Jeff Daniels plays Ronald Reagan and doesn’t look or sound much like him, but he still builds a convincing, stubborn, warm-eyed man. Jared Harris is excellent as Mikhail Gorbachev, the guy at the table who keeps surprising everyone. J. K. Simmons, as George Shultz, gets the most human moments, quietly steering his boss back toward a deal. A side story about Raisa Gorbachev drawing the press while Nancy Reagan stews back home is a nice light touch that never goes anywhere. Audiences gave it an A CinemaScore. A 5.8 because the actors are strong and the drama mostly happens in conversation. $2,411 says the next time your family argues over the thermostat, you propose meeting halfway and call it a summit.

What works: Jared Harris and J. K. Simmons are excellent, and the film makes arms negotiations surprisingly easy to follow.

What doesn’t: It’s very talky and repetitive in stretches, and Daniels never quite captures Reagan’s look or voice.

Who it’s for: History buffs who would rather watch a negotiation than a battle.