A House of Dynamite deals with the incredibly high stakes of a potential nuclear explosion. While some viewers might anticipate seeing that explosion on screen, director Kathryn Bigelow chose a different approach, and fellow filmmaker James Cameron believes it was the right call. Instead of showing the devastation of a nuclear blast in Chicago, the film ends with survivors reaching a secure bunker to begin rebuilding the country. Cameron argues that this was the only satisfying way to conclude a movie dealing with such a serious topic.
Cameron revealed his support of the film’s ending to The Hollywood Reporter:
I told her I completely agreed with how the story ended – it was the only logical conclusion. The point of ‘The Lady or the Tiger?’ is that you’re never supposed to find out what’s behind either door.
Bigelow’s film centers on a crisis when the US government detects an incoming nuclear warhead. Different agencies scramble to identify where it came from and how to stop it. The story shows various approaches to the situation, as everyone tries to prevent nuclear war and protect the country. Idris Elba stars as the President, but the movie doesn’t clearly show all of the decisions he makes.
Cameron believed this was the perfect way to wrap up the narrative:
Honestly, the movie wasn’t really about what happened, but about how awful the whole situation was from the very beginning. As soon as that missile launched, we knew things were hopeless, and the film just showed us that for two hours. It really hit home that these weapons shouldn’t exist. It all comes down to one person – the President – having the power to launch a nuclear strike, and that’s terrifying when you think about it. The fate of everyone on Earth rests with a single individual. It’s a scary reality, and something we absolutely need to keep in mind when we head to the polls next time.
‘A House of Dynamite’ Was Controversial From Start to Finish
Netflix
The movie’s ending wasn’t the only part that split audiences. A warhead begins a 30-minute countdown that happens in real time, and while the countdown continues, the film shifts focus to different characters. Some viewers felt these changes in perspective actually lessened the suspense.
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Cameron believes Bigelow’s choice to avoid showing large-scale destruction actually highlighted the futility of war.
The movie’s ending felt inevitable, perfectly capturing its message. Like the computer in WarGames famously stated, the real victory comes from choosing not to participate in the game altogether.
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2025-12-30 00:33