A House of Dynamite (2025)

Content by Tony Macklin. Originally published on October 31, 2025 @ tonymacklin.net.

A House of Dynamite (now on Netflix) is a thought-provoking film that should scare us. A lot.

It is structured in three parts showing characters with different perspectives. It is the tale of a nuclear missile attack on the United States from an unknown source. Experts say that the target is Chicago.

But assaults on the missile are negative. What can they do?

The choices seem to be to attack other countries or wait and see what happens. As one expert says, "It's surrender or suicide."

There has been much criticism about the ending, but it seems to me that the ending is predictable and appropriate.

The direction by Kathryn Bigelow is more than capable, and the screenplay by Noah Oppenheim has aplomb.

One of the problems with the film is that because it is divided into three parts, the suspense is dulled. Different points of view interrupt the energy of the story. We're pulled back instead of being thrust forward.

The cast is strong. Rebecca Ferguson and Jason Clarke ably portray the senior officers in the White House Situation Room. Tracy Letts is a powerful General. Pete Hegseth would be proud.

The best actor in the film (Idris Elba) doesn't appear until less than 40 minutes are left in the film. His intelligence and gravity could be used earlier. He plays the President.

You can be sure Idris Elba doesn't take the money and run and hide.

At one point the President says, "This is insanity." The General responds, "No, this is reality."

In A House of Dynamite -- and perhaps in 2025 -- it can be both.