Read, Watch or Listen

Kathryn Bigalow’s A House of Dynamite imagines a lone nuclear missile racing toward the U.S., then locks viewers inside the real-time decisions of the president, generals and staff. Experts say the surprise single-warhead attack and two-interceptor response strain credibility, even as the “doomsday” conference call, authentic settings, and ever-present nuclear “football” ring true. Several argue a president would likely ride out the strike and wait for attribution rather than launch on warning. With arsenals expanding and a key treaty set to lapse early next year, the film’s timing feels unnervingly apt.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.