James Cameron has shared his thoughts on the ending of his ex-wife Kathryn Bigelow’s new Netflix film, “A House of Dynamite,” which has sparked mixed reactions among audiences. The film, set in the tense aftermath of a nuclear missile launch toward the United States, received positive critical feedback, including a four-star rating from The Independent.
However, the film’s ambiguous conclusion left some viewers dissatisfied, as it never reveals whether the president, portrayed by Idris Elba, decides to allow the missile to strike Chicago to prevent a larger conflict or chooses to launch a counterattack. The specifics of the missile’s impact are intentionally left ambiguous, which has led to debates among viewers.
In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Cameron expressed his support for the film’s ending. He recounted a dinner conversation with Bigelow where he affirmed, “I utterly defend that ending. It’s really the only possible ending.” He drew parallels between the film’s closure and the classic short story “The Lady or the Tiger,” where the outcome remains a mystery to the reader.
Cameron elaborated on the film’s themes, emphasizing that from the moment the missile is launched, every possible outcome is bleak. “There was no good outcome,” he explained. “The movie spent two hours showing you there is no good outcome. We cannot countenance these weapons existing at all.” He highlighted the precarious situation of having the fate of the world resting on a single individual—the president—who possesses the authority to initiate a nuclear strike.
The conversation about the film comes amidst Cameron’s reflections on both his professional and personal history with Bigelow, whom he was married to from 1989 to 1991. Their collaboration on films like “Point Break” and “Strange Days” adds a layer of complexity to their assessment of cinematic narratives.
In a separate context, Cameron also commented on a past joke made by Amy Poehler during the 2013 Golden Globes, criticizing it as an “ignorant” remark during an event meant to celebrate filmmakers.
Cameron’s engagement with Bigelow’s work and his insights into the implications of nuclear warfare reflect the ongoing relevance of such themes in contemporary discourse, highlighting the critical nature of storytelling in addressing pressing global issues.