What does FUBAR mean? The dark military slang behind Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Netflix series
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Netflix series FUBAR premiered on May 25, 2023, marking his first leading role in a scripted television series. Created by Nick Santora, the eight-episode action comedy follows Luke Brunner, a veteran CIA operative who discovers that his daughter Emma, played by Monica Barbaro, has also been living a secret life as a CIA agent.
What begins as a covert mission quickly spirals into a personal reckoning as father and daughter are forced to confront years of deception and reconnect amid global threats. Season 2, which premiered on June 12, 2025, continues their chaotic journey across high-stakes missions and emotional landmines.
The show’s title, FUBAR, might sound like a light-hearted code word, but it is actually a military acronym that stands for “F***ed Up Beyond All Recognition” or “Beyond All Repair.” The term was used by U.S. soldiers during World War II, and it describes situations that were completely out of control. In the Netflix series, the term is used only once, during the final moment of the first season, perfectly summing up the state of the characters’ lives.
Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for FUBAR. Reader's discretion is advised.
The origin and meaning of the term FUBAR
FUBAR originated during World War II and was used informally by American soldiers to describe irreparable situations. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, the phrase means something “extremely bad or certain to fail.” The most widely recognized form is the explicit version, "F***ed Up Beyond All Recognition" or "F***ed Up Beyond All Repair." There are also milder interpretations, such as "Fouled Up Beyond All Recognition" or "Fouled Up Beyond All Repair."
The acronym appeared as early as 1944 in Yank, the Army Weekly Magazine. It was a verbal shorthand for the kind of disarray often encountered in combat zones. Some linguists believe the term was influenced by the German word furchtbar, meaning terrible.
In Netflix’s FUBAR, the word appears only once on screen, during the season 1 finale, when Luke declares:
“It’s totally FUBAR.”
He says this after the team’s identities are exposed and their world collapses into chaos. Despite its single verbal use, the term appears visually throughout the series in billboards, barcodes, and screens, reinforcing the theme of disorder and entrapment. Netflix even leaned into the ambiguity during promotions, offering various tongue-in-cheek reinterpretations of the acronym.
As noted by Radio Times on June 2, 2023, one teaser redefined FUBAR as "full throttle, father-daughter bonding," followed by another version stating "uncomfortable situations, bombs, bullets, bullet trains, abs," with "R" representing the growl-like sound of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s name.
All details about Netflix's FUBAR series
FUBAR stars Arnold Schwarzenegger as Luke Brunner and Monica Barbaro as Emma Brunner. The supporting cast includes Milan Carter, Gabriel Luna, Fortune Feimster, Travis Van Winkle, Fabiana Udenio, Jay Baruchel, Aparna Brielle, Andy Buckley, and Barbara Eve Harris. Season 2, released on June 12, 2025, adds Carrie-Anne Moss as Greta Nelso and Guy Burnet as Theodore “Chips” Cress.
Season 2 begins with the team hidden in a safe house before they’re drawn into new operations, battling the Swedish mafia, navigating submarines, and stopping an attack on a U.S. Space Force base. The season’s villain, Dante Cress, is revealed to be Chips, a former MI6 agent posing as an ally. His plan to spark a global war stems from unresolved issues with his father. Emma stops him just in time, and Chips is killed by a missile explosion.
Greta sacrifices herself to disarm the missile but survives. She formally retires after realizing that her connection with Luke cannot be rekindled. Luke and Tally’s marriage, which appeared fractured throughout the season, is revealed to have been a decoy operation. Luke proposes again, reaffirming their bond.
Roo is promoted to regional CIA director and finds romance with Airman Mendez. Barry and Tina’s relationship faces complications after a prisoner swap reveals Tina’s covert activities. Carter and Donnie are sent to a remote safe house. Aldon and Emma plan to go on a date. A pig named Hamsteak saves Aldon’s life and is later adopted by Luke’s granddaughter.
The series was produced by Skydance Television and Blackjack Films. Season 1 was filmed in Belgium and Toronto, while season 2 was filmed in Toronto between April and August 2024. Each season includes eight episodes, with runtimes ranging from 42 to 59 minutes.
FUBAR is available exclusively on Netflix. The first season received a 50% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 48 on Metacritic. The second season scored slightly higher, with a 63% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and 59 on Metacritic.
The title FUBAR has roots in military slang and was coined to describe situations that are beyond recovery. In the Netflix series, this definition serves as a metaphor for both the espionage missions and the tangled family dynamics at the heart of the story.
Also read: FUBAR season 1: All you need to know before season 2 arrives
Seasons 1 and 2 are now streaming on Netflix. Watch to see how deep the chaos runs, and whether it’s ever possible to un-FUBAR the mess.
