Director Kathryn Bigelow has made her return to the military thriller genre with the Netflix release of A House of Dynamite, marking her first film in years. Known for previous works like The Hurt Locker and Zero Dark Thirty, Bigelow’s latest movie continues to explore the complex sacrifices of American military personnel and intelligence operators. The film stirred discussion by focusing on the high-stakes, unpredictable nature of missile defense systems, which sparked a public response from the Pentagon.
Dispute Over Missile Defense Accuracy Highlighted in Film
The Pentagon has disputed the film’s portrayal of interceptor missiles and missile defense systems, which were depicted in A House of Dynamite as unpredictable, likened to a “coin-flip” in their ability to hit incoming ballistic threats. The film described this as
“a bullet trying to hit a bullet.”
In response, the Pentagon asserted that their systems have
“displayed a 100 percent accuracy rate in testing for more than a decade,”
directly challenging the narrative presented in the movie.
Bigelow Emphasizes Commitment to Realism and Expert Consultation
Kathryn Bigelow spoke out regarding the Pentagon’s criticisms in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, stressing the film’s dedication to accuracy based on extensive consultation. She said,
“It’s the best course of action to consult with all of the experts that we did. We had extraordinary tech advisors on this film, and then they were our North Star…I just state the truth. In this piece, it’s all about realism and authenticity. Same with ‘Zero Dark Thirty’ and same with ‘Hurt Locker,’ even though Hurt Locker was obviously a work of fiction, and this is a work of fiction. For me, these are pieces that lean in hard on realism.”
Bigelow added that the film offers a rare look inside highly restricted environments like the battle deck of STRATCOM, aiming for honesty in portraying such settings. She further remarked,
“To be honest, nuclear weapons have been shrouded in silence for several decades now. It’s my opinion that this was a conversation that needed to happen.”
Screenwriter Noah Oppenheim Supports Film’s Depiction of Missile Defense Limitations
Noah Oppenheim, Bigelow’s screenwriter and a former journalist, backed the film’s portrayal of the missile defense challenges while citing a broad group of experts. He stated,
“As we see it, it’s not a debate between us as filmmakers and the Pentagon. It’s between the Pentagon and the wider community of experts in the space. Senator Edward Markey or retired general Douglas Lute; journalists like Tom Nichols and Fred Kaplan who’ve covered this issue for decades; the APS, which is a nonpartisan organization of physicists — these are the folks who are coming out and saying what we depict in the film, which is that our current missile defense system is highly imperfect, is accurate. On the other side of that conversation, you have the Pentagon apparently asserting that it’s 100 percent effective. We believe all those experts who’ve told us that the system is more like a coin toss, like we depict in the film, but we’re glad all these folks are having the debate and the conversation.”
Research and Themes Highlighted: Human Error and the High Stakes of Nuclear Defense
While opinions on the film’s performances and storytelling may vary, the filmmakers’ extensive research serves to convey the sobering reality of nuclear defense vulnerabilities. The film underscores the grave threat posed by human error in systems designed to protect vast populations from missile attacks. It also reflects on the devastating implications of nuclear conflict, where mutually assured destruction (M.A.D.) ensures no winner emerges from such confrontations.
The story encourages viewers, regardless of political stance, to consider both the enormous cost of nuclear warfare and the reliability of billion-dollar missile defense technologies intended to shield millions of lives. The film invites a necessary dialogue on these critical and long-silenced issues.
Looking Ahead: Engaging Public Dialogue on National Security Systems
A House of Dynamite is likely to continue sparking debate on the accuracy and viability of America’s missile defense infrastructure, as well as broader conversations about nuclear deterrence and strategy. By presenting a candid portrayal of defense complexities and vulnerabilities, Kathryn Bigelow and Noah Oppenheim have positioned their film at the center of an important national discussion, challenging official narratives and encouraging public scrutiny of military readiness and safety measures.
