Small Details You Missed In Edge Of Tomorrow

During one time loop, Cage hears two men in a pub complaining that today's soldiers don't have real courage — not like their own fathers and uncles, who fought valiantly during World War II. They think the war with the Mimics is only dragging out because these days, nobody has what it takes.

We beg to differ — and not just because we've seen the movie's protagonists in action. Realistically, if the generations who fought WWI and WWII could meet the men and women going up against the Mimics, they would actually see a lot of traits that they recognize. "Edge of Tomorrow" grounds its alien invasion and futuristic technology in some of the most familiar details of the two world wars, and this creative decision helps to give the movie even more resonance.

In "Edge of Tomorrow," we see a war that's engulfed most of Europe and requires international alliances. As in WWI, France suffers an early blow and goes on to be the site of many grueling, devastating battles. Remember Verdun, where a time-looping Rita kills hundreds of Mimics? In 1916, it was also the location of the longest battle of WWI (per Imperial War Museums).

The war against the Mimics has an even stronger connection with WWII, which of course famously also had a key beach invasion that saw heavy casualties (via the U.S. Department of Defense). The movie was even released in the U.S. on June 6, the anniversary of D-Day.