A House of Dynamite ★★★★

In Kathryn Bigelow’s propulsive nuclear thriller, it takes 18 minutes for the ordinary to become the unthinkable: a single intercontinental ballistic missile has been launched from somewhere in the Pacific, America’s military apparatus kicks in, and the target is confirmed as the city of Chicago. Initial deaths in the millions are projected, culpability is assessed, and a possibly apocalyptic counterstrike is debated. The desk banter and calm professionalism give way to horrifying realisations.

Captain Olivia Walker (Rebecca Ferguson) in the White House situation room in A House of Dynamite.

With gripping efficiency, Bigelow moves the film through this countdown repeatedly, rising up the chain of command. It begins at an Alaskan missile base, with Major Daniel

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