When was the last time you could say that Netflix’s latest original was a perfect showcase for the importance of the theatrical experience? The streaming giant’s usual strategy has been to acquire or develop as much valuable intellectual property as humanly possible, all for the express purpose of fueling its algorithmic machine. With the exception of a Greta Gerwig here or a Guillermo del Toro there, whose respective films “The Chronicles of Narnia” and “Frankenstein” will benefit from a symbolic release on the big screen before debuting on the platform, Netflix has remained steadfastly committed at all costs to The Living Room Experience™. But perhaps the best counterpart to this approach came with their most recent version. Clumsy.
That could very well end up being what many viewers remember about “A House of Dynamite,” which is expected to be released in a limited number of theaters. That’s not to say that director Kathryn Bigelow’s long-awaited return to directing after 2017’s “Detroit” is a spectacle on the level of “Oppenheimer,” mind you. The thriller obviously has quite a cast, led by Idris Elba, Rebecca Ferguson, Greta Lee, Jason Clarke and many others. And the apocalyptic premise that the U.S. government is rushing to respond to an imminent nuclear strike couldn’t seem more apt. Otherwise, though, this unpretentious (and anxiety-inducing) drama doesn’t really scream, “Watch this on the biggest screen possible!” »
Except that’s exactly what he does anyway. By supporting this specific project, Netflix inadvertently reminded us that nothing can live up to the way movies were always meant to be seen. As tempting as it may be to wait until “A House of Dynamite” is available to watch it “for free” at home, we’re here to tell you that it’s advisable – otherwise vital – to see this in theaters if you can.
A House of Dynamite hits harder at the cinema than at home
Without spoiling anything for those planning to watch this film in the near future, let’s just say that “A House of Dynamite” couldn’t be a better PSA for the theater industry if it tried. Those of us obsessed with preserving the ideal presentation for new films know all too well that it just looks different when projected onto a canvas larger than our flat-screen TV. There’s the effect of seeing literally larger-than-life situations unfold on a format that requires us to soak up every little detail of an actor’s face or an impeccably designed set, of course. More than that, though, the very concept of sitting in a dark room (hopefully) devoid of distractions and without the ability to hit the pause button turns this particular story into a unique pressure cooker situation.
“A House of Dynamite” can certainly be enjoyed from the comfort of home, but there’s no denying that it’s not the best way to go about it. In a film specifically designed to heighten the intensity and tension of impending catastrophe with each passing second, thanks to a wayward nuclear missile aimed directly at the continental United States, the feeling of being caught in a situation you can’t control is the whole point. The vast majority of audiences who will inevitably end up watching this in between folding laundry or doing dishes, or answering phone calls and texts, will miss out on what makes this worth watching in the first place – and that’s not the audience’s fault, but the media’s.
Even more than most films, “A House of Dynamite” benefits most from the feeling of being “trapped” in a movie theater as the characters are stuck in the most extreme scenario imaginable.
A House of Dynamite fights an uphill battle
I know what you’re probably thinking: It’s easy for an arrogant critic from Los Angeles or New York (guilty!) to wax poetic about supporting theaters while living in an area with countless options for doing so. And that is undeniably true. Far too many viewers will have no choice but to watch “A House of Dynamite” the only way possible: on Netflix. This doesn’t necessarily make someone a #FakeFan or strip them of their movie credit card, no matter how insufferable Film Twitter and other insular communities can be about this sort of thing. (Believe me, I know.) Historically speaking, no amount of guilt-tripping or shaming audiences have ever actually helped theaters in dire straits, especially after a weekend where only a superhero like Taylor Swift saved the box office weekend from total disaster.
All we hope to convey here is that “A House of Dynamite” is a must-see for anyone who loves movies…but even more so when experienced as it was obviously intended. While the cast and crew will no doubt play a good role on the press tour, praising Netflix for believing in the production and providing a way to release it, deep down we’d hazard a guess that their true feelings might be somewhat different. Like all of Bigelow’s previous works (not to mention the ensemble cast), the action and drama lend themselves naturally to the big screen. After all, even Netflix is tacitly admitting it by playing the awards season game and allowing a limited theatrical release in the first place.
Ultimately, this will likely be another Netflix movie intended to be consumed primarily through streaming. All we can hope is that as many moviegoers as possible take these words to heart. Check your local listings for theaters currently playing “A House of Dynamite.”
