Andrew Garfield’s acclaimed turn as a real-life World War II hero is back in the spotlight, and this time, you don’t need a movie ticket or Amazon Prime account to watch it.
The Oscar-winning war film Hacksaw Ridge has quietly returned to streaming, and viewers in the UK can now catch it on both Netflix and ITVX — an unusual double-feature offering that has brought new life to one of the most harrowing, yet inspiring, war stories of modern cinema.
A Soldier Who Refused to Carry a Weapon
Desmond Doss was no ordinary soldier.
In fact, many in his unit didn’t even consider him one. A Seventh-day Adventist and staunch pacifist, Doss refused to carry or use a weapon during combat — a decision that led to relentless bullying from fellow soldiers and skepticism from commanding officers. But what happened next turned that skepticism into awe.
Doss, portrayed by Garfield with raw conviction and layered vulnerability, went on to save 75 men singlehandedly during the brutal Battle of Okinawa — without ever firing a shot.
Why This Film Keeps Coming Back
There’s no shortage of war films out there. From Saving Private Ryan to 1917, the genre is saturated. Yet Hacksaw Ridge carved out a special place when it hit theaters in 2016.
Directed by Mel Gibson, the film garnered six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Garfield. It ultimately took home two Oscars, for Best Sound Mixing and Best Film Editing.
The return to streaming on two platforms — Netflix and ITVX — feels like a second wind. It’s not just nostalgia. There’s a surge of interest in emotionally charged biographical dramas, especially those that challenge traditional war narratives.
Who’s in It and What Makes It Work?
Garfield leads the cast with a mix of earnestness and inner steel. His portrayal of Doss doesn’t just tug at heartstrings — it yanks them. He makes you believe that conviction, no matter how improbable, can withstand chaos.
The supporting cast doesn’t miss a beat either:
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Sam Worthington plays the skeptical Captain Glover.
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Hugo Weaving delivers a gut-punch performance as Doss’s haunted father, a veteran of World War I.
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Teresa Palmer adds quiet strength as Dorothy Schutte, Doss’s wife.
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And yes, Vince Vaughn surprisingly holds his own as the tough-love Sergeant Howell.
All these roles orbit around one thing: Garfield’s performance, which truly anchors the film.
Still Hitting Hard After Nearly a Decade
You’d think a 2016 movie would feel a bit dusty by now. But Hacksaw Ridge somehow doesn’t.
Its visceral war sequences still pack a punch. You can almost smell the mud and smoke. And the emotional stakes don’t feel staged — they land hard, thanks to the film’s refusal to glorify violence. It shows war for what it is: horrifying, bloody, confusing, and soul-breaking.
Yet right in the middle of all that carnage stands a man who never once raised a gun — and somehow becomes the bravest of them all.
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Streaming Where You Might Not Expect
Here’s what’s a bit unusual — Hacksaw Ridge isn’t on Amazon Prime in the UK right now.
That means fans without a paid Netflix account can still catch the film free on ITVX — a big deal for anyone tightening their streaming budget or who doesn’t want to juggle multiple apps.
It’s rare to see such a high-profile movie sitting on ITVX’s library, and its presence there has sparked some buzz online, especially among viewers who missed it in theaters or want to rewatch Garfield’s breakout performance post-The Social Network.
Why It Still Matters in 2025
There’s something strangely comforting about the timing of its streaming resurgence.
In a world where war isn’t just history but part of daily headlines — Ukraine, Gaza, Red Sea, you name it — a story like Doss’s hits different. It reminds us that valor doesn’t always need a trigger finger. Sometimes it’s enough just to show up, run into danger, and save lives without asking for anything in return.
Films like Hacksaw Ridge don’t try to lecture. They show. They bleed. They endure.
And that’s why almost a decade later, people are still watching, still crying, and still recommending it to their friends.
