Based on an outrageous true story, War Dogs (2016) is a high-octane dark comedy that explores how two young men stumbled into the world of international arms dealing — and got in way over their heads. Starring Jonah Hill and Miles Teller, this film delivers a mix of grit, greed, and absurdity set against the backdrop of war profiteering.
Think you remember every twist, shady deal, and wild road trip from this unbelievable tale? Take our 10-question trivia quiz to find out just how well you know War Dogs. Only true fans of real-life crime capers will come out on top!
War Dogs Trivia Questions & Answers
- Who plays the role of Efraim Diveroli in War Dogs?
Correct Answer: Jonah Hill
Jonah Hill delivers a standout performance as Efraim Diveroli, a fast-talking, morally bankrupt arms dealer with a magnetic yet manipulative personality. Hill’s portrayal earned critical praise for balancing comedic charm with sinister undertones, making Efraim both entertaining and unsettling.
- What is the main business of the characters in the film?
Correct Answer: Arms dealing
The core of the story revolves around David and Efraim exploiting a government loophole that allows small businesses to bid on U.S. military contracts. They become unexpected arms dealers, securing multi-million-dollar deals supplying weapons to the U.S. military — a business both thrilling and dangerously unethical.
- Which real-life scandal is War Dogs based on?
Correct Answer: The Afghan arms deal scandal
The film is inspired by a true story chronicled in a Rolling Stone article titled “The Stoner Arms Dealers.” It follows the real exploits of Efraim Diveroli and David Packouz, who won a $300 million Pentagon contract to supply ammunition to Afghan forces — and then illegally repackaged Chinese ammo, which violated U.S. sanctions.
- What is David Packouz’s job at the beginning of the film?
Correct Answer: Massage therapist
Before getting drawn into the arms trade, David is working as a struggling massage therapist in Miami. His financial troubles and dissatisfaction with life make him vulnerable to Efraim’s pitch to join his high-profit business venture. The drastic contrast between his peaceful job and the chaotic world of arms dealing highlights the film’s irony.
- Which country do David and Efraim travel to during a dangerous arms delivery?
Correct Answer: Iraq
In one of the most suspenseful sequences, David and Efraim personally drive through war-torn Iraq to deliver Beretta pistols after their shipment gets held up. This risky move earns them credibility with the Pentagon — and emphasizes the absurdity of amateurs getting involved in high-level arms distribution.
- What U.S. government platform do they use to find contracts?
Correct Answer: FedBizOpps
FedBizOpps (Federal Business Opportunities) is a real online platform where the U.S. government posts military and federal contracts. Efraim uses it to identify overlooked opportunities, particularly ones too small for major contractors to bother with — allowing him and David to win bids by undercutting the competition.
- What is the nickname given to their massive ammunition deal with the Pentagon?
Correct Answer: The Afghan Deal
Their biggest and most controversial score is referred to as “The Afghan Deal,” a $300 million contract to supply Soviet-era ammunition to U.S.-allied forces in Afghanistan. While the deal appears legitimate at first, it later implodes when they attempt to fulfill it using repackaged Chinese-made rounds, which is strictly prohibited.
- Who is Henry Girard in the film?
Correct Answer: A shady international arms dealer
Played by Bradley Cooper, Henry Girard is a mysterious and dangerous figure with connections to the global arms black market. Though officially on a terrorist watchlist, he operates in the shadows, helping David and Efraim source massive quantities of old Soviet ammunition from Albania. He serves as a cautionary symbol of the darker corners of international arms trade.
- What illegal modification do Efraim and David make to fulfill the Afghan contract?
Correct Answer: Repackage Chinese ammo to hide origin
To avoid breaching U.S. sanctions that ban Chinese-manufactured weapons and ammunition, Efraim arranges to have the ammo repackaged to conceal its origin. This decision becomes the central crime in the film — the act that ultimately brings their operation down and lands them in legal trouble.
- What is the ultimate fate of Efraim Diveroli?
Correct Answer: He is arrested and sentenced to prison
In the end, Efraim’s reckless greed and underhanded tactics catch up with him. He is arrested, charged with conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government, and sentenced to prison. While David cooperates with authorities and serves a lighter sentence under house arrest, Efraim’s downfall serves as the cautionary climax of the film — a reminder that in the real world, crime doesn’t always pay.
