Following its early reviews, Idris Elba’s new movie, A House of Dynamite, has earned strong critical acclaim and a certified fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The latest thriller, directed by Kathryn Bigelow, tells a tense, real-time story about a mysterious missile launch and the race to uncover its origin.
A House of Dynamite reviews promise a thrilling ride
Top critics have praised Kathryn Bigelow’s A House of Dynamite, led by Idris Elba, for its nerve-wracking realism and powerful execution.
Bill Goodykoontz of The Arizona Republic called it “nail-biting stuff, agonizing to sit through,” while Keith Phipps of The Reveal noted that Bigelow and screenwriter Noah Oppenheim “have clearly done their homework” in depicting a terrifyingly authentic crisis. Jake Coyle of the Associated Press described the film as “a taut, real-time thriller that opens explosively but dissipates with each progressive iteration.”
Further reviews from leading outlets echoed similar sentiments. The Daily Telegraph’s Robbie Collin labeled the movie “a razor-sharp thriller,” and The Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw said he watched it “with translucently white knuckles.”
TIME Magazine’s Stephanie Zacharek highlighted its “diamond precision,” while The Hollywood Reporter’s David Rooney called it “a feat of adrenaline-pumping editing and cinematography.” Together, these top critics emphasized Bigelow’s return to form and her mastery of tension-driven storytelling.
A House of Dynamite is certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes officially certified A House of Dynamite as fresh with an 85% score based on 89 reviews.
Along with Elba, the film stars Rebecca Ferguson, Jared Harris, and Tracy Letts. It runs for 1 hour and 52 minutes. The movie will release in theaters in the U.S. on October 10, 2025, and begin streaming on Netflix on October 24. Helmed by Bigelow and written by Oppenheim, it follows a mission to identify an unidentified missile launched at the United States.
Originally reported by Anubhav Chaudhry on ComingSoon.
