Kathryn Bigelow's Film Depicts Nuclear Missile Threat to U.S.

Kathryn Bigelow’s 2025 film "A House of Dynamite" is a tense thriller focused on the 20 minutes before a nuclear missile strike on Chicago, illustrating the intense pressures and rapid decision-making faced by U.S. officials. The film emphasizes realism, depicting military personnel as rational actors following protocol amid the threat posed by an unidentified intercontinental ballistic missile. It explores the complexity of modern nuclear threats, noting the increase from two Cold War superpowers to nine nuclear-armed nations, which heightens the risk of conflict and miscalculation. The narrative highlights the limited success rate of missile defense systems and the high stakes involved in retaliatory decisions, underscoring the fragile nature of global security today. Both the movie and accompanying expert commentary stress the urgency and emotional strain on leaders tasked with preventing catastrophe within minutes. Overall, "A House of Dynamite" serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of nuclear proliferation and the precariousness of international stability in the current geopolitical landscape.