Movie Review Time

Nuclear war threatens the U.S. in gripping film A House of Dynamite

Rebecca Ferguson in A House of Dynamite.

Photo courtesy of Netflix

Director Kathryn Bigelow has had two distinct phases to her feature film career. From the early ‘80s to the early 2000s, she made movies for the masses like Near Dark, Point Break, and K-19: The Widowmaker. But that all changed with the 2008 release of the Iraq War film The Hurt Locker, for which she won the Oscar for Best Director and Best Picture. Every movie of hers since then has leaned hard into real-world drama, including the new A House of Dynamite.

Instead of trying to understand past events, this film imagines a scenario that is still frighteningly real: Nuclear war. As the story begins, it’s discovered that a missile has been fired in the direction of the United States from close to the east coast of Asia where China, Russia, and North Korea connect. The unattributed weapon is at first thought to be a test, but when it continues on a path toward the U.S., people at all different levels of the U.S. government try to figure out how to stop it and what to do if they can’t.

The same story is essentially told three different times, changing the perspective to different officials in multiple locations around the country. They include people at an Army missile defense base in Alaska, led by Major Daniel Gonzalez (Anthony Ramos); the White House Situation Room, led by Captain Olivia Walker (Rebecca Ferguson); a top brass video call featuring General Anthony Brady (Tracy Letts) and Secretary of Defense Reid Baker (Jared Harris); and, naturally, the President of the United States (Idris Elba).

Directed by Bigelow and written by Noah Oppenheim, the film is an extremely tense experience as it juggles the personal and professional lives of many different people. The sense of duty that each one of them feels in serving their country slowly turns inward as they understand that a major American city could be wiped off the map, an event that would almost certainly trigger World War III.

Bigelow and Oppenheim do a fantastic job of serving the bigger stars in the cast, as well as the supporting actors who may not be as well known. A normal film would be able to take more time to establish the various characters, but the intensity of the plot lends extra meaning to every moment, allowing the audience to connect with everyone more quickly. It’s not at all difficult to put yourself in the shoes of those in the film who desperately try to get in touch with loved ones as the threat becomes larger.

Telling the story three times from different perspectives not only allows the audience to understand who all is involved in such a world-changing event, but it also shines a light on the strengths and weaknesses of each department. How accurate the film is to what would happen in real life is debatable, but the film gives off an air of legitimacy in how it depicts the actions of the various players.

Given the structure of the film, there’s no one star, but each of the main actors does a fine job in bringing their characters to life. Ferguson, Letts, Harris, and Elba are the most compelling in their roles, but other people like Jason Clarke, Greta Lee, Malachi Beasley, and Jonah Hauer-King do a lot with their limited time on screen. The cast is so packed that someone like Kaitlyn Dever is given only one small, albeit impactful, scene.

The ending of the film is likely to be divisive, but it only serves to underscore the idea that no one can truly know how to handle an existential threat like nuclear war. The military and the government can simulate and prepare all they want, but it’s only when things go to hell that anyone can tell if they’re able to meet the moment.

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A House of Dynamite is now playing in select theaters. It debuts on Netflix on October 24.

movies film

Weekend Event Planner

These are the 17 best things to do in Dallas this weekend

Photo by John V. Esparza

Bruno Mars will play at Globe Life Field in Arlington on April 18 and 19.

It'll be another big weekend of events in and around Dallas, with multiple different subjects for people to enjoy. Choices include three local theater productions, two symphony concerts, visits from three well-known comedians, five concerts from a variety of big-name performers, two dance productions, a festival, and the final days of a notable art exhibition.

Below are the best ways to spend your free time this weekend. If you want more options, check out our calendar for an even longer list of the city's best events.

Thursday, April 16

Theatre Three presents The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
In this brand-new stage adaptation of Agatha Christie’s 1926 novel, the tiny village of King’s Abbot is rocked by scandal when Roger Ackroyd, the wealthiest man in town, is found dead shortly after the apparent suicide of his fiancée. The production runs through May 10 at Theatre Three.

Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents "Mendelssohn’s Italian Symphony"
The latest concert from the Dallas Symphony Orchestra will feature Mendelssohn’s “Italian” Symphony, along with Dvořák’s Cello Concerto, played by cellist Julian Steckel, and the world premiere of a concerto by Jonathan Leshnoff, played by principal DSO violist Meredith Kufchak. The concert will be led by Ana María Patiño-Osorio, second-prize winner at the Malko Competition for conductors, in her DSO debut. There will be four performances through Sunday at Meyerson Symphony Center.

Hyena's presents Todd Barry
Comedian/actor Todd Barry is a late-night TV veteran whose acting credits include The Wrestler, Road Trip, Flight of the Conchords, Chappelle's Show, Spin City, and Sex and the City. He's also had voice roles on the animated series Bob’s Burgers, Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist, and Aqua Teen Hunger Force. He is also the author of the 2017 travel memoir, Thank You For Coming To Hattiesburg. He'll perform for one night only at Hyena's Comedy Nightclub.

Friday, April 17

Improv Addison presents Gabriel Iglesias
Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias is the star and executive producer of Mr. Iglesias on Netflix, and has a comedy stand-up special, One Show Fits All, also on Netflix. Feature film credits include co-starring roles in Magic Mike, Magic Mike XXL, and A Haunted House 2. He's also provided voices for many animated films, most recently Space Jam: A New Legacy and Ugly Dolls. He also starred in Disney+’s The Santa Clauses. He'll perform five times through Sunday at Improv Addison.

Punch Line Irving presents Pete Holmes
Pete Holmes is the creator and star of HBO's Crashing and TBS' The Pete Holmes Show. He's also the star of CBS' How We Roll, two HBO stand-up comedy specials, the host of the You Made It Weird podcast, and the author of Comedy Sex God. He'll perform four times through Saturday at Punch Line Irving.

Art Centre Theatre presents The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals
Paul is an average guy. He likes movies, and pizza, and average guy things. He does not like ... musicals. But Paul's small world is about to come crashing down under the weight of unspeakable terror. Now he must run, run for his life, as something sinister spreads, and grows, and sings, and dances. The production runs through May 3 at Art Centre Theatre in Plano.

SatchVai Band in concert
SatchVai Band is comprised of legendary guitar icons Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, whose long history dates back to the 1970s, when Satriani taught the slightly younger Vai how to play guitar. Individually, the two have had stellar careers dating back to the 1980s. They've come together in the past two years as SatchVai Band, releasing their first single in 2024. They'll play at the Music Hall in Fair Park Dallas as part of their Surfing with the Hydra tour.

Dallas Black Dance Theatre presents Rising Excellence
The future of dance takes center stage for DBDT: Encore!’s home series showcase. The emerging talent of the next generation of dance excellence will command the stage with fearless passion, technical mastery, and boundless energy. There will be performances on Friday and Saturday at Moody Performance Hall.

Lyric Stage presents Sweet Charity
Inspired by Federico Fellini's Nights of Cabiria, Sweet Charity explores the turbulent love life of Charity Hope Valentine, a hopelessly romantic but comically unfortunate dance hall hostess in New York City. It captures all the energy, humor, and heartbreak of Life in the Big City for an unfortunate but irrepressible optimist. The production runs through May 3 at Lyric Stage in Dallas.

Eisemann Center presents Circa: Humans 2.0
Ten bodies appear in a flash of light. They move in harmony for a fleeting moment and then descend into a sinuous trance. Towers grow and decay, bodies leap and are caught, as physical limits are pushed to their extreme. Expanding upon Circa's earlier original production of Humans, Humans 2.0 becomes more intimate, internal, and searching. The one-night-only performance takes place at Eisemann Center for Performing Arts in Richardson.

Saturday, April 18

Festival of Joy
The annual Festival of Joy is a family-friendly event that is inspired by a global Indian tradition celebrated in cities around the world. It kicks off with a parade and chariot pull, followed by a day of crafts, yoga, wellness activities, performances, face painting, and more. The event, which will happen rain or shine, takes place at Klyde Warren Park.

Bruno Mars in concert
It's been a long time since pop star Bruno Mars put out any solo work, with his last album being 2016's 24K Magic. He hasn't been in hiding since then, of course, releasing the 2021 collaborative album, An Evening with Silk Sonic, with Anderson .Paak, and collaborating on mega-hits like "Die with a Smile" with Lady Gaga and "APT." with Rosé. But he's finally come out with a new solo album, The Romantic, and he'll celebrate with back-to-back concerts at Globe Life Field in Arlington on Saturday and Sunday. He'll be joined by Silk Sonic collaborator Anderson .Paak as DJ Pee .Wee and Leon Thomas.

Colin Hay in concert
Colin Hay became a household name as the frontman for '80s pop sensation Men at Work, and his musical legacy has extended for over 40 years. At this concert at Majestic Theatre, Hay and his Acoustic Band will perform reimagined versions of Men at Work hits and Hays' solo classics in a stripped-down, acoustic setting.

Sunday, April 19

Crow Museum of Asian Art presents Cecilia Chiang: "Don’t Tell Me What To Do" closing day
Sunday will be the final day to view Cecilia Chiang: "Don’t Tell Me What To Do" at the Crow Museum of Asian Art. Chiang is a self-taught artist who operates beyond the confines of the traditional artistic canon, expressing her spontaneity and creativity across a broad spectrum of media, including Chinese ink watercolors, oils, acrylics, ceramics, printmaking, textiles, and collage.

Little Feat in concert
The rock band Little Feat has been making music for 55 years, with their debut album coming out in 1971. Led from the start by keyboardist/vocalist Bill Payne, they've put out 18 studio albums over the years, most recently Strike Up the Band in 2025. They'll play at Majestic Theatre as part of their The Last Farewell Tour, a tongue-in-cheek title referencing their 1975 The Last Record album.

LeAnn Rimes in concert
Singer LeAnn Rimes first came to fame in 1996 at the tender age of 14 with her hit song, "Blue," which wound up winning her a Grammy. She's gone on to have a celebrate career, but that song remains one of her signature achievements. She'll celebrate the 30th anniversary of her breakthrough album in this special concert at Winspear Opera House.

Dallas Symphony Children’s Chorus Spring Recital
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra will present their biannual Children’s Chorus concert. Performed in collaboration with musicians of the DSO, it will showcase the talents and artistic excellence of the young singers, all under the baton of the Artistic Director of the DSCC, Ellie Lin. The concert takes place at Meyerson Symphony Center.

Bruno Mars is heading out on 'The Romantic Tour' in 2026.

Photo by John V. Esparza

Bruno Mars will play at Globe Life Field in Arlington on April 18 and 19.

theater music concerts symphony comedy dance festivals museums galleries event-planner