A House of Dynamite Review: Kathryn Bigelow’s New Political Thriller Is Frustratingly Divisive

by

The threat of global war has haunted us ever since the first nuclear weapons were built, symbolized by the Doomsday Clock. We’ve tried to feel prepared, from practicing drills in school to building shelters, hoping to find some control if disaster strikes. Kathryn Bigelow’s latest film taps into these anxieties, while also showing us that even those in power are fallible and afraid, just like everyone else.

Kathryn Bigelow started her career directing a variety of films, including the often-overlooked vampire movie Near Dark, the popular action film Point Break, and the futuristic thriller Strange Days. She later became known for intense political dramas like The Hurt Locker and Zero Dark Thirty. For her latest film, A House of Dynamite, she collaborated with screenwriter Noah Oppenheim, who also previously led NBC News. Considering Bigelow’s filmmaking talent, Oppenheim’s political background, and a strong cast, it’s unexpected that the film received only a limited release in theaters before becoming available on Netflix on October 24. It’s possible that those involved anticipated the film would spark strong and potentially conflicting reactions from audiences.

A House of Dynamite Is Told in Three Inconsistent Acts

The first part of A House of Dynamite focuses on an Army team stationed at Fort Greely, Alaska, and led by Major Daniel Gonzalez (played by Anthony Ramos). They detect what appears to be an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). When it’s confirmed as a genuine threat to the U.S., the White House is alerted. As attempts to intercept the missile fail, the situation quickly becomes critical, eventually reaching the highest level of alert – DEFCON 1.

The first act of the film is incredibly tense, creating a sense of impending disaster on American soil. It strongly resembles the action-packed show 24, but Virginia Ferguson’s outstanding performance quickly takes center stage. She convincingly portrays a concerned wife and mother who understands the seriousness of the situation, allowing the audience to deeply feel the helplessness of watching events unfold. Just as the tension reaches its peak with a countdown to a missile strike, the film takes a surprising turn, similar to the movie Groundhog Day, by looping back to the beginning. The subsequent acts revisit the same events, but through different characters’ eyes. While this offers new perspectives, it’s a bit frustrating to shift focus away from Ferguson’s compelling performance.

Act 2 shifts focus to the military personnel, White House staff, FEMA responders, and NSA agents we briefly met in Act 1 during the video call. The President is also present, though we only hear their voice. The act starts abruptly, which unfortunately disrupts the exciting build-up from the first act and feels jarring for the audience.

The third act centers on the President, who struggles with tough choices and constant pressure. While Idris Elba is a talented and adaptable actor, this role unfortunately doesn’t showcase his strengths, as the dialogue is often uninspired. He has a few engaging scenes, particularly during a school event where he convincingly portrays a charismatic leader, but this quickly disappears when the plot demands action. Ultimately, the character feels flat, portrayed as mostly confused and stern in his role as President.

The show also features solid acting from Gabriel Basso, Jared Harris, and Jason Clarke, among others. However, the story loses some of its energy towards the end, particularly in the third act.

Kathryn Bigelow Enlisted Experts to Keep the Political Thriller Grounded

The United States has often been accused of creating enemies, and the film A House of Dynamite explores a frightening scenario: a surprise missile attack. The movie investigates which countries might be capable of such an attack, and while the story is fictional, it strives for realism. The director consulted with military experts and technical advisors, and their knowledge, combined with the writer’s political experience, makes the film’s premise all the more chilling.

Although the movie’s script has its weak points, including a drawn-out explanation of the title, the conversations between the President and his advisor, Lieutenant Commander Robert Reeves (Jonah Hauer-King), are quite engaging. Reeves carries a disturbing file detailing America’s enemies and possible war scenarios, and this realistic depiction of international relations keeps the somewhat shaky final act from falling apart completely.

A House of Dynamite’s Ending Will Leave Viewers Divided

As Act 3 progresses, tension mounts because crucial questions remain unanswered. The characters grapple with who launched the missile and whether the U.S. should retaliate to prevent further attacks. They fear this could be the start of a global war, and find themselves revisiting the same core issues they faced at the beginning of the story, though the specifics have changed.

The film’s strength lies in prompting important questions – reminding us of our shared humanity and the fact that no one has easy answers. It’s especially relevant now, given current global anxieties about nuclear conflict – the Doomsday Clock is, after all, dangerously close to midnight. Generally, it delivers this message in a fun, accessible way. However, viewers hoping for a clear resolution might find the ending unsatisfying.

As a film fan, I have to say that A House of Dynamite asks a lot of its audience. After almost two hours, and with the story feeling a bit like it’s going in circles, you really start hoping for some kind of resolution, or at least answers to a few of the questions the movie raises. Sadly, it doesn’t deliver. While the film definitely leaves an impression and some things stay with you, the ending ultimately feels frustrating rather than satisfying.

Okay, so I just found out A House of Dynamite is finally on Netflix! It actually had a small run in theaters back on October 10th, but now everyone can check it out from home, which is awesome.

Read More

2025-10-25 06:07