‘House of Dynamite’: Cast reacts to the ambiguous ending with very different theories

The new political thriller from Kathryn Bigelow, Dynamite Houseis already Netflix’s No. 1 film, but its abrupt, ambiguous ending left audiences with more questions than answers: Did the missile hit Chicago? Did the US President fight back? In recent interviews, the film’s stellar cast defended the director’s decision and revealed their own theories about what happens after the screen goes dark.

(Warning: The following article contains major spoilers for House of Dynamite)

The film, which narrates in real time the discovery of an intercontinental ballistic missile on its way to the USA, ends without showing the impact or the presidential decision. For the cast, this ambiguity is the production’s greatest strength. Jared Harriswho plays the Secretary of Defense, stated that if the film “I would have made a pretty bow” in the story, the audience would dismiss him as “an intense trip”.

“The fact that they left it up to you to finish the film in your own mind is why there are conversations afterwards.”he said Harris. He believes the pressure on the president to fight back was immense, suggesting a “inevitability of conflict” as soon as something of this magnitude begins.

Idris Elbawho plays the President of the USA, admitted that he and the director Kathryn Bigelow they did not discuss the final decision. The actor, however, theorized about his character’s calculation: “Unfortunately, it’s the sacrifice of having 10 million people die versus the entire planet, that probably would have been his decision. But I don’t know. We didn’t want to know the answer.”

Rebecca Ferguson agreed with Elba and praised ambiguity as “one of the most incredible things” of the film. For her, the intention of Bigelow It is precisely to question the logic of nuclear deterrence. “It is absurd to think that we keep the peace with nuclear weapons and nuclear war”said the actress. “I think that’s the conversation we’re hoping to spark.”

While the top brass debated retaliation, Major Daniel Gonzalez, played by Anthony Ramoswatched his interceptor missiles fail. His character’s final scene is one of pure despair. branches explained Gonzalez’s collapse: “He feels responsible for the deaths of millions of people. […] The thing we trained tirelessly for has failed. And now a city will be obliterated.” Asked about the small chance of the missile failing on impact, branches it was direct: “He’s not thinking the missile is going to fail. He can only see that ‘we failed’. There is guilt, shame and deep sadness.”

To ensure suffocating realism, the cast worked with consultants who held real positions in Washington. Tracy Letts and Jared Harris revealed that generals who worked at STRATCOM (US Strategic Command) were on set to help with procedures and the chain of command.

Jason Clarkewhich was also in Oppenheimerpraised the way in which Kathryn Bigelow used the handheld camera, as if he were a documentary filmmaker “Seeking the Truth”. He concluded that, unlike other films, Dynamite House “puts responsibility back to the public”forcing him to face the fragile reality of an imperfect system.

What is the story of Dynamite House?

Third part of a trilogy by the director about political-military dilemmas, after War on Terror and Darkest Hour (2012), Dynamite House follows White House officials in a race against time to identify the perpetrator and define an appropriate response to the launch of an unidentified missile against the United States.

Who is in the cast of Dynamite House?

With script Noah Oppenheim (Jackie), Dynamite House account with Idris Elba (Luther), Rebecca Ferguson (Dune), Gabriel Basso (Cameron Post’s Imaginary World), Jared Harris (Chernobyl), Tracy Letts (Lady Bird), Anthony Ramos (In a New York Neighborhood), Moses Ingram (Obi-Wan Kenobi), Jonah Hauer-King (The Little Mermaid), Greta Lee (Past Lives), Renee Elise Goldsberry (Hamilton) and Jason Clarke (The First Man) in the cast.

Where to watch Dynamite House?

Released at the beginning of the month in selected cinemas, Dynamite House is available in the Netflix catalog, at no additional cost to subscribers of the streaming service. Watch the trailer:

SOURCE: SCREENRANT

READ ALSO: Discover House of Dynamite, new film by Oscar winner Kathryn Bigelow

• Dynamite House

• kathryn bigelow