The film features an ensemble cast, including Kerry Washington, Ebony Obsidian, Milauna Jackson, Shanice Shantay, Sarah Jeffery, Pepi Sonuga, Gregg Sulkin, Susan Sarandon, Dean Norris, Sam Waterston, Kylie Jefferson, Moriah Brown, and Oprah Winfrey.

One day, the West Virginian mother convinces Eleanor Roosevelt at the White House that, across the country, no one is receiving mail from the war.

The newly-promoted Major Adams and Captain Campbell are given six months to turn the school into a post office and barracks, and to clear a two-year backlog of undelivered mail.

One day, Lena loses her composure upon seeing nonchalant handling of dog tags found in damaged letters.

Her friends promise to watch for any letter addressed to her; and Major Adams tells Lena that her story has also made her realize the importance of their work.

Along with a notification that their first two months of sorted mail was undeliverable, the battalion is asked to host black soldiers to boost morale.

After President Roosevelt's death, a white chaplain assigned as a spy by General Halt delivers a sermon that denigrates Adams' qualifications and morals.

As General Halt is trying to push Major Adams' court martial through, he hears cheers from his unit as their mail finally arrives.

[5] The film is based on historian Kevin M. Hymel's article, "Fighting a Two-Front War", published in the February 2019 issue of WWII History magazine.

The historical drama has also boosted viewership for Perry’s four other Netflix films such as Mea Culpa, 2022’s A Jazzman's Blues, A Madea Homecoming, and 2020’s A Fall from Grace by more than 45% since The Six Triple Eight began streaming on Dec. 20.

The website's consensus reads: "The Six Triple Eight recounts an important true story with a steely Kerry Washington at command, but its treacly presentation unfortunately doesn't let these inspiring events speak for themselves.

[24] Film critic Peter Debruge from Variety gave it a positive review, writing: "The Six Triple Eight gives Perry his best and most substantial feature to date (only 2010's ensemble melodrama For Colored Girls comes close)...

The film boasts a large enough cast to launch a dozen or so careers, and yet, one performance stands head and shoulders above the others: That would be Washington's forceful turn as Adams, who holds her own against arrogant white officers.

[26] Jesse Hassenger from The Guardian gave it 2/5 stars, writing: "Kerry Washington hams it up in the writer-director's stodgy ode to a battalion of women in the second world war who deserve far better".