Pentagon Challenges Netflix's House of Dynamite on Missile Defense Accuracy Amid Expert Debate

The Netflix film "A House of Dynamite," directed by Kathryn Bigelow, dramatizes the tense 18 minutes following a nuclear missile launch toward the United States, focusing on the government's response and missile defense systems. The film depicts a failure of the U.S. missile defense interceptors, a portrayal sharply criticized by the Pentagon, which claims a 100% accuracy rate in missile interception testing for over a decade. Screenwriter Noah Oppenheim, however, defends the film's depiction, stating that extensive research and consultations with missile defense experts support the film's portrayal of the system as "highly imperfect." Oppenheim and Bigelow welcome the ensuing dialogue, emphasizing the importance of raising awareness about nuclear threats and the current state of missile defense. The controversy highlights a broader debate between official Pentagon claims and independent experts regarding the reliability of missile defense technology. This dispute has brought additional attention to the film, framing it as a cautionary tale about nuclear security that has sparked both acclaim and criticism.