Kathryn Bigelow, celebrated for her earlier genre-defining works such as “Near Dark,” “Point Break,” and “Strange Days,” has shifted focus in recent years to tackle political and social issues with movies like “Zero Dark Thirty.” As the first woman to win an Academy Award for Best Director with her 2008 Iraq War drama “The Hurt Locker,” Bigelow’s return to the director’s chair is noteworthy, especially considering the compelling subject matter of her latest film.

Scripted by Noah Oppenheim, “A House of Dynamite” delves into the intense drama following the launch of a nuclear missile aimed at the United States. The narrative follows government officials as they scramble to identify the source, decide if it can be intercepted, and determine the appropriate response. The film features a stellar cast, including Idris Elba, Rebecca Ferguson, Anthony Ramos, Greta Lee, and Jason Clarke. It made its debut at the Venice Film Festival in September, where Bigelow expressed her hope that the film would encourage audiences to contemplate the issue of nuclear weapons, advocating for a reduction in the global stockpile.

Currently boasting an 81% “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 155 reviews, “A House of Dynamite” has been praised for its compelling storytelling. Manohla Dargis of The New York Times described the film as a high-stakes thriller, noting its “racing pace, restless camerawork, propelling editing, and many flashing electronic displays,” all contributing to a palpable sense of urgency reminiscent of a ticking doomsday clock.

“A House of Dynamite” has an 81% “fresh” critics score on Rotten Tomatoes from 155 reviews as of this writing. The New York Times’ Manohla Dargis wrote in her review, “The movie itself can feel like a doomsday clock that’s fast running out, what with its racing pace, restless camerawork, propelling editing and many flashing electronic displays … [Kathryn Bigelow] sustains a powerful sense of forward momentum that takes hold of your whole body.” 

Similarly, Ryan Lattanzio of IndieWire gave the film an A- and stated, “Hardly mere agitprop due to the stylistic intensity of its filmmaking, this gun-to-your-head engrossing movie … also wants to shake you out of your slumber with a cataclysmic whisper of an ending.”

Many critics loved the thriller and appreciated its deadly serious examination of an all-too-plausible scenario. However, there were some that didn’t care for “A House of Dynamite,” including Variety’s Owen Gleiberman, who wrote, “‘House of Dynamite’ felt like hyped-up TV, with too much caffeinated camera jitter, too many unconvincing but in-your-face ‘quotidian’ moments, and too much hambone acting … The film felt to me like a schlock disaster movie taking itself seriously.” Clearly, opinions vary widely, but naysayers not withstanding, the critical response to “A House of Dynamite” is, for the most part, very good.

“A House of Dynamite” is one of several films released by Netflix this year that are gearing up for awards campaigns, but it may be the streamer’s most serious contender for the Academy Award for best picture. The movie has an urgency to go with its top-level craftsmanship, which many of the people involved with the film should benefit from. Plus, Netflix has been chasing a best picture Oscar for years, and putting its full promotional muscle behind “A House of Dynamite” seems like an especially good bet because of the movie’s prescient story, which can’t help but reflect the current geopolitical landscape.

In terms of individual awards, Kathryn Bigelow is predicted to again compete for best director. Idris Elba, who earlier in 2025 played the U.K. prime minister in a very different film, “Heads of State,” may grace the best actor race with his presence for his role as the president of the United States — a towering performance, especially in the film’s final scenes. Rebecca Ferguson, who plays a senior official in the White House, Captain Olivia Walker, may get nominated for her work, which stands out in the first part of the movie. Whether or not these people are nominated, “A House of Dynamite” appears to be one to watch when it comes to Netflix on Friday.