A House of Dynamite Review

An intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) is launched from somewhere in the Pacific, aimed at the continental US. Believing it to be nuclear, both the military and the government scramble to deal with the situation. But with only 18 minutes until the missile reaches its target, those men and women have precious little time to do their work, while also facing the possibility that they or their loved ones may not survive the day.

Kathryn Bigelow’s latest high-stakes thriller could be described as part movie, part information film. It is fictional, sure, and yet another in-depth examination of the military industrial complex. But whereas The Hurt Locker and Zero Dark Thirty are a fictional story based in truth and an adaptation of a true story, respectively, A House of Dynamite is a fictional story that could one day come true. And unsurprisingly, it is absolutely terrifying. The idea behind it, however, is to generate discussion. After all, we’ve been building weapons of mass destruction for a while now, and thankfully one hasn’t been used outside of testing since world war 2. But how long do we have before someone crazy enough decides to use one in anger? What happens then? Well, that’s exactly what Bigelow, along with writer Noah Oppenheim, is trying to show us. In the process, the pair do a pretty good job of skirting the politics, even if certain choices are indicative of their feelings for the present administration.

It all begins with the White House Situation Room (WHSR) and the start of a new shift. As Captain Olivia Walker (Rebecca Ferguson) prepares her staff for the day ahead, word reaches them that a launch has been detected, and they quickly get to work setting up a conference call between all the relevant players. It all feels incredibly real. No doubt the result of meticulous research. That said, it’s not long before the tension starts to build, along with concern, as these very real people begin to question what to do. The performances from this impressive cast are masterful. Uncertainty and panic are buttoned down, but continue to simmer as the countdown clock ticks on. Something that doesn’t really ease as the relevant players assemble and begin preparing a response. Bigelow is able to make this short period of time feel like a moment and an age. There’s this sense of helplessness to it all, as there’s only so much a person can do, then it’s up to the chiefs. So you find yourself – much like the staff in the WHSR – waiting to see what happens. All of which is exacerbated by the fact we never see anything beyond the screens the staff have available, and somehow it is all oddly riveting.

Bigelow’s choice to make it all as real as possible – avoiding flashy graphics of a missile in flight – proves wise, because it’s that reality that makes A House of Dynamite so poignant. And much like the real thing is likely to do for those involved, the movie has you both gripped and horrified. But it doesn’t end there, for the movie is divided into three chapters. Each one a different perspective on this nightmare scenario – from military leaders responsible for the nuclear arsenal, to the Secretary of Defense, up to the President. A perfect example being that of the military personnel manning a far off base, responsible for the countermeasure to this type of event. It not only demonstrates the cost of such an endeavour – and I’m not just talking about the money – but also its chances of success. Ramming home just how big and complicated a process like this is, as well as the number of people involved, and how little time they are likely to have. The different perspectives also give you a taste of the Personal vs. Professional battle that people in these roles will inevitably face. In spite of the procedures, the rules & regulations, how do you not think of family at a time like this?

Replaying the same event from different perspectives can also be a frustrating approach to telling such a story. Frustrating, but fascinating. On the one hand, each go-around we learn more about the situation and the process from the differing viewpoints. However, every time that clock resets it adds to the already building angst. We know what’s coming, but at the same time we don’t, and it can feel like the movie is keeping us from finding out. Much like Sisyphus pushing that rock up the hill, just when you think you’ve made it to the top, you’re back at the start. We are almost programmed to want more. To see how the story ends. In any other movie or show this would be the start of something, but in A House of Dynamite it is the whole thing. Several plot lines and characters pick up, only to disappear into the chaos. All of which will undoubtedly prove frustrating for many, certainly by the third go-around. Even I was left wanting to see where all this goes. The thing is, this isn’t about the attack itself or what comes after. It’s about the immediate response to such an attack, the system in place to protect the United States, and how much the Americans – and to a degree, others – can rely on it.