Alan Ritchson Holds Breath for Two Minutes in Insane ‘War Machine’ Underwater Clip

Alan Ritchson has pushed his limits for his latest Netflix film, War Machine. The action movie, directed by Patrick Hughes, stars Ritchson as an Army Ranger recruit known only as “81.” Early in the movie, viewers get a glimpse of his intense training, which includes a scene that has already captured attention online: Ritchson walking the full length of a pool underwater while holding weights.

In a behind-the-scenes clip shared by Men’s Journal, both Ritchson and Hughes explained that the scene was meant to be shorter. “They said walk as far as you can, but we can cut around you if you need to come up for air,” Ritchson said. He initially doubted he could last long, adding, “I said I don’t think I can do this for more than 10 seconds. And I just kept trucking in that shot.”

The sequence ended up being an almost two-minute continuous take, with Ritchson walking into the camera operator at the end because he had nowhere else to go. Hughes admitted that seeing Ritchson complete the take made him realize how much the actor had become his character.

Alan Ritchson really held his breath underwater for 2 minutes while shooting this WAR MACHINE scene 😱 pic.twitter.com/wuII3wMlmB

— Netflix (@netflix) March 11, 2026

Ritchson described filming as extremely demanding. “We were pushing the envelope with what we were going to put a body through,” he said. The underwater scene is just one example of the intense physical challenges he faced while shooting War Machine, which blends traditional military action with elements of sci-fi survival.

Watching the clip, it’s clear that Ritchson’s dedication to realism sets the tone for the film and shows just how committed he is to fully embodying his character. The scene has already wowed fans on social media, with many impressed by his stamina and focus.

Ritchson’s underwater feat is not just a stunt, it’s a testament to his discipline and physical preparation for a role. It’s rare to see actors push themselves to this level in action movies today. I’m curious what readers think about his dedication and the extreme training he went through. Share your thoughts in the comments.