Netflix and the relentlessness of the rocket

The scenario is more plausible and more current than one would like: In her new film “A House Of Dynamite”, Oscar winner Kathryn Bigelow sends a nuclear missile towards the USA. Ten million people could die if it achieves its goal. Those responsible have just under 20 minutes to prevent the catastrophe. If it can be prevented at all.

Today, no one wants to hear anything about a fundamental commitment to nuclear disarmament, Bigelow explains in a text panel preceding the Netflix film (since October 24th). She’s right: common sense has steadily declined since the end of the Cold War. The nuclear apocalypse is a realistic possibility.

A normal day at the beginning

You have to endure the harrowing relentlessness of the countdown three times. Bigelow tells this period of time from a different perspective in the situation centers – where, from the security officer (Rebecca Ferguson) to the President (Idris Elba), there are only people who have to make inhumane decisions.

For them, the day begins quite normally, with the usual everyday worries and needs. But a little later they have to make more far-reaching decisions than whether or not to send the feverish child to school. It’s amazing how calm they act in times of crisis, despite tantrums and panic attacks. They simply do their job: the fact that they can’t do anything is the depressing thing about “A House Of Dynamite”.

One push of a button to the end of the world

The balance of terror had prevented the superpowers from using nuclear weapons during the Cold War: both Washington and Moscow knew that a first strike automatically meant their own extinction. Today no one seems to remember it. The world has become more fragmented and unpredictable.

In Bigelow’s film, no one knows who fired the rocket. It could have been China, or Russia, or North Korea. If you don’t know who is responsible: when can you blame? And how? With a counterattack? But what if the attack was a tragic accident?

Because all interception attempts fail, the decision about the end of the world ultimately rests with the US President. You don’t want to be in his shoes. (tch)