‘A House Of Dynamite’ Review – A Jaw Dropping Thriller

The power of one man’s ability to crush an entire nation with a reading of a code and pressing of a button is explored by Academy Award winner Kathryn Bigelow in the new thriller A House of Dynamite. Bigelow teams with Noah Oppenheim to bring to life the story of a missile launched at the United States, which sets off the chain of events of how to respond and who is responsible. The film stars Rebecca Ferguson, Idris Elba, and Jason Clarke.

The political and/or military space isn’t something new for Kathryn Bigelow. With The Hurt Locker and Zero Dark Thirty, Bigelow explored the ins and outs of war, hunting down a wanted man, and the exploration of how we navigate pulling the trigger. With A House of Dynamite, Bigelow attempts to unpack the idea of the power of the president. Upon the missile launching into the air, those responsible for navigating “what’s next” begin to realize that it is set to land in one of the biggest cities in the United States.

Every single person in this film walked into their job with the expectation of it being just like any other day. Whether they have been there for days, weeks, or years, each of them knows that their job has a high responsibility. Of course, things quickly turn upside down when a missile launch threatens to wreak havoc on a nation. As the missile inches closer to the states, the president is left to decide what could change the trajectory of the country forever.

Noah Oppenheim’s script takes us on three distinct yet similar chapters of how society can crumble with the push of a button. How Bigelow presents this behind the director’s chair is a pulsating, anxiety-filled ride that barely allows you to breathe. She puts audiences in the shoes of each of these individuals, making you wonder what you would do if you were in their shoes.

One thing is for certain: you can always expect Bigelow to pay close attention to detail. Whether it be the lingo (unpacked brilliantly for audiences to understand), exploring the selfish aspect of people, or the mannerisms of how our characters portray their roles. Speaking of selfish, there are two separate moments that had such a profound impact on how society looks at things, with choosing to help or to be selfish. Again, Bigelow’s attention to the small things makes the bigger ones so effective.

As you are watching the film, Bigelow’s direction almost makes you feel like you are being dunked underwater. Every time you come up for a breath, Bigelow puts you back under. When you factor in Volker Bertelmann’s score, I felt like I couldn’t settle into my seat throughout the entire film. Moreover, editor Kirk Baxter splices the sequences to enforce that all-consuming rush that is felt because of the ticking clock on the wall. All three should be on their way to some Oscars love, with Bigelow getting her third director nomination.

Every single actor within this movie had the job of making the audience understand how essential they were to the big picture. If you have one singular weakness, it would affect the entire ensemble. Each performer has their moment to shine, but Rebecca Ferguson sets the tone early within her role as Captain Olivia Walker. As she unpacks the urgency of what they are facing, you just watch it go from one actor to another, which delivers a fantastic ensemble.

Ultimately, A House of Dynamite is an exceptional, anxiety-inducing thriller that is one of the year’s best. Every single time Kathryn Bigelow makes a movie, she reminds us that she is one of the best directors. Bigelow enriching Oppenheim’s razor-sharp script, tied to Oscar-winning editing by Kirk Baxter, you are in for a real treat with this movie. If you have the chance to catch this one on the big screen, please do, because it will only enhance your experience.

A House of Dynamite will debut in select theaters on October 10, 2025. The film will premiere exclusively on Netflix on October 24th.