The high-concept premise of Kathryn Bigelow's excellent directorial return with Netflix's A House Of Dynamite finds America targeted by an ICBM of unknown origin and follows the responses of the different levels of command, replaying the same tense time frame via differing perspectives from the Alaskan tracking station that first picks up the incoming threat right up to The White House in more-or-less real time. The high-powered and very capable ensemble cast is a treat to watch in action, notably the magnificent Rebecca Ferguson, Idris Elba (as POTUS) and Jared Harris, and the range of character reactions to the rapidly-developing scenario (ranging from the efficient to emotional to hard-bitten) makes for absorbing viewing and enables the viewer to find their own point of identification. Bigelow's signature style of naturalistic dialogue delivery and kinetic camerawork are major strengths of the movie, giving it an immediacy and alarming credibility that that is very engaging indeed, with a relentless sense of at-times unbearable tension that is amplified by the seeming real-world plausibility that plays well against the current backdrop of global security uncertainty.
The notorious ending of the movie may be divisive but it is deliberately challenging and thought-provoking, and in many ways this film fits comfortably amongst other flashy Netflix contemporary political thrillers, but A House Of Dynamite has great writing, a powerhouse cast that delivers, and it is superbly executed with real impact.
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