Bigelow, known for genre-defining films like “Near Dark,” “Point Break,” and “Strange Days,” has more recently earned acclaim for her focus on political and social issues, evident in works such as “Zero Dark Thirty.” As the first woman to receive an Academy Award for Best Director with the 2008 Iraq War drama “The Hurt Locker,” Bigelow’s return is monumental, particularly given the film’s provocative subject.

Penned by Noah Oppenheim, “A House of Dynamite” explores the tense scenario of a single nuclear missile launched toward the U.S. The narrative follows government officials scrambling to identify the perpetrator, assess the possibility of interception, and determine an appropriate response. The film stars Idris Elba, Rebecca Ferguson, Anthony Ramos, Greta Lee, and Jason Clarke. It premiered at the Venice Film Festival in September, where Bigelow remarked, “Hopefully the film is an invitation to decide what to do about all these weapons. My answer would be to initiate a reduction in the nuclear stockpile,” as reported by Variety.

“A House of Dynamite” currently holds an 81% “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 155 reviews. In her review, The New York Times’ Manohla Dargis described the film as a “doomsday clock that’s fast running out,” highlighting its brisk pace, dynamic camerawork, and gripping editing. She praised Bigelow for maintaining a “powerful sense of forward momentum” that captivates audiences.

While many critics are praising the thriller for its serious exploration of a credible threat, some dissenting opinions exist. Variety’s Owen Gleiberman criticized the film, likening it to “hyped-up TV” with excessive camera jitters and unconvincing moments. Despite such critiques, the overall critical reception of “A House of Dynamite” remains largely positive.

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.