Anthony Mackie's Saudi-backed historical epic Desert Warrior, directed by Rupert Wyatt, opened wide in U.S. theaters on April 24, 2026, earning a Rotten 31% Tomatometer score from 13 early reviews that brand it a mostly boring, forgettable blockbuster despite stunning visuals and action set pieces. Critics like ScreenRant and AV Club fault dull storytelling and uninspired performances in this $150 million pre-Battle of Dhu Qar tale, contrasting with a more favorable 63% audience score from 100+ ratings. The film's dismal $472K opening weekend signals weak buzz, pressuring trader sentiment toward low-score bins. Expect review influx through the weekend to potentially lock in the rotten verdict, barring surprise late positives.