Netflix Drops Another Look at New Political Thriller Movie From an Oscar-Winning Director — And I’m Counting Down the Days

Anthony Ramos as Major Daniel Gonzalez and Abubakr Ali as Specialist Dan Buck in "A House of Dynamite"
(Image credit: Eros Hoagland / Netflix)

To say Netflix is teasing us would be an understatement. The streaming service has been slowly drip-feeding details about its upcoming political thriller movie, “A House of Dynamite.”

Back in June, we got the first poster along with a synopsis and cast list. A few weeks later, the first-look image dropped, showing Rebecca Ferguson in the war room, looking concerned while on the phone.

Now, Netflix has released even more images, this time featuring other characters including Anthony Ramos as Major Daniel Gonzalez, Gabriel Basso as Jake Baerington, and Kyle Allen as Captain Jon Zimmer.

Based on the cast alone, this thriller has me seriously intrigued. And the synopsis is just as gripping: “When a single, unattributed missile is launched at the United States, a race begins to determine who is responsible and how to respond.”

Rebecca Ferguson in "A House of Dynamite"

(Image credit: Netflix)

Described as a “sharp and visceral new story” by Netflix, this thriller has real potential to be one of the standout original movies of the year especially with Kathryn Bigelow at the helm, the Oscar-winning director behind “The Hurt Locker” and “Zero Dark Thirty.”

Maybe “A House of Dynamite” will be the movie that proves Netflix can still deliver truly great originals. I’d love that, especially since the streamer’s recent efforts have been pretty underwhelming, but I’m not ready to call it just yet. Hopefully these new images mean a full trailer is on the way (and then we can really start dissecting its potential).

“A House of Dynamite” will make its world premiere at the 82nd Venice Film Festival on September 2. The movie hits select U.K. theaters on October 3, expands worldwide on October 10, and lands on Netflix October 24.

‘A House of Dynamite’ feels made for the big screen

Kyle Allen as Captain Jon Zimmer in "A House of Dynamite"

(Image credit: Eros Hoagland / Netflix)

“A House of Dynamite” looks like the kind of movie that could really thrive on the big screen. The premise alone, with White House officials scrambling in real time to respond to an unidentified missile strike, already teases a very tense experience. It’s the sort of story that might feel especially gripping in a theater setting.

With Barry Ackroyd behind the camera, known for his handheld and urgent style, there is reason to think the visuals could carry real impact when projected large.

And while it is technically a Netflix original, the rollout hints at ambitions beyond streaming. A Venice Film Festival premiere, a short theatrical window, and the timing around awards season all suggest this is not just another straight to streaming release.

Gabriel Basso as Jake Baerington in "A House of Dynamite"

(Image credit: Eros Hoagland / Netflix)

The synopsis is short, but it still manages to grab your attention. With Noah Oppenheim, the writer behind “Jackie” and “The Maze Runner,” handling the script, there’s reason to hope the story will be both intelligent and tightly paced.

The remaining cast (who we are yet to see in new images) includes Idris Elba, Jared Harris, Tracy Letts, Moses Ingram, Jonah Hauer-King, Greta Lee, Jason Clarke, Malachi Beasley, Brian Tee, Brittany O'Grady, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Willa Fitzgerald, Renée Elise Goldsberry, and Kaitlyn Dever.

I’m always drawn to stories that race against the clock, so this one has me especially interested. “A House of Dynamite” definitely sounds like it could be worth watching, and it’s nice to see Netflix giving it a theatrical release as well. Honestly, any chance to head to the local cinema is a win!

As a reminder: “A House of Dynamite” releases in select U.K. theaters on October 3, goes global on October 10, and arrives on Netflix on October 24.

Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.

More from Tom's Guide

Alix Blackburn
Senior Streaming Writer (UK)

Alix is a Senior Streaming Writer at Tom’s Guide, which basically means watching the best movies and TV shows and then writing about them. It’s a dream job for someone who’s been obsessed with storytelling since she first figured out how to work a remote. 


Before joining Tom’s Guide, Alix honed her skills as a staff writer with outlets like Screen Rant and Bough Digital, where she discovered her love for the entertainment industry. 


She heads to the cinema every week as a tradition, no matter what’s showing. For her, movies aren’t just entertainment — they’re a ritual, a comfort, and a constant source of inspiration. When she’s not at her desk or at the cinema, you’ll probably find her deep into a horror video game on her PC.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.