Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · September 4, 2025 · Entertainment

Kathryn Bigelow's Thrilling Vision: 'A House of Dynamite' at Venice Film Festival

Kathryn Bigelow¿s breathlessly pacy thriller A House of Dynamite is comfortably the most exciting movie at this year¿s Venice Film Festival (Rebecca Ferguson as Captain Olivia Walker)

BREAKING: The Most Thrilling Movie of the Year is a Must-See!

Get ready for the most explosive, edge-of-your-seat thriller of the year - A House of Dynamite, directed by the talented Kathryn Bigelow (yes, the same woman who made history as the first female Best Director at the Oscars in 2008). This film is a masterclass in suspense, intrigue, and heart-pumping action that will leave you gasping for air.

The Unthinkable Scenario

Bigelow¿s film superbly evokes the furnace of decision-making that such an agonising dilemma might ignite (Gabriel Basso as Jake Baerington)

Imagine waking up to news of a nuclear attack on Chicago, with less than 20 minutes before an incoming missile lands on the city. Sounds like a plot from a disaster movie, right? But this is where A House of Dynamite gets real. Bigelow's film presents a chillingly plausible crisis that puts the US military intelligence chiefs in a desperate situation - they have no idea who launched the missile or where it came from.

As the clock ticks down, the President (played by Idris Elba) must make a heart-wrenching decision: retaliate before Chicago is obliterated, but against whom? China? Russia? North Korea? Iran? The possibilities are endless, and the tension builds as the team scrambles to figure out who's behind the attack.

A White-Knuckle Ride

The world stands uneasily on the brink of disaster. If this is a coordinated attack, can the US afford not to respond? Which cataclysm does POTUS choose? (Anthony Ramos as Major Daniel Gonzalez)

Bigelow's direction is flawless, weaving together multiple storylines that create a thrilling puzzle. We see the President in crisis mode, with advisors from both sides of the debate pushing for action - or restraint. The dialogue is sharp and authentic, thanks to Noah Oppenheim's exceptional screenplay (a former TV executive turned writer). This film is not for the faint of heart; it's a gut-wrenching experience that will leave you questioning the world we live in.

The Cast

Idris Elba shines as the President, but he's supported by an all-star cast. Jonah Hauer-King brings a fresh face to the role of a lieutenant-commander tasked with advising the President on response options. Gabriel Basso steals scenes as the Deputy National Security Advisor, caught between his loyalty to his country and his duty to keep people alive. The supporting actors are equally impressive, including Anthony Ramos (a domestic drama aside), Rebecca Ferguson, Greta Lee, and Jared Harris.

Bigelow wisely keeps her film under two hours and wisely resists the temptation to tell us too much about the personal lives of her protagonists (Kyle Allen as Captain Jon Zimmer)

A Companion Piece

Interestingly, Bigelow's film shares similarities with the 2019 TV drama Chernobyl, in which Harris starred as Secretary of Defence. Both stories deal with nuclear catastrophes - but this one is fiction. The message is clear: we live in a world where catastrophe can strike at any moment.

Get Ready for Oscar Buzz

With its edge-of-your-seat storytelling and exceptional performances, A House of Dynamite is destined to make waves at the Oscars. Don't miss your chance to experience this thrilling ride - mark your calendars for October 3 (cinema release) or October 10 (Netflix). Get ready to hold onto your seats!

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