Acclaimed filmmaker James Cameron has stepped into a heated cinematic debate, offering a full-throated defence of the controversial and ambiguous ending to his ex-wife Kathryn Bigelow's latest Netflix movie, 'A House of Dynamite'.
The Divisive Finale of 'A House of Dynamite'
The tense political thriller, released on Netflix, depicts the frantic minutes following the launch of a nuclear missile aimed at the United States. While critics, including The Independent which awarded it four stars, largely praised the film, its conclusion left a segment of the audience dissatisfied.
The movie culminates without revealing the fateful decision of the President, portrayed by Idris Elba. Viewers are left to ponder whether he allowed the missile to strike Chicago to prevent a full-scale war or chose to retaliate. The actual impact is never shown, creating an intentionally unresolved and sobering finale.
Cameron's Verdict: 'The Only Possible Ending'
In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Cameron revealed he recently dined with Bigelow and told her he adored the ending. "I said to her, 'I utterly defend that ending,'" Cameron recalled. He drew a parallel to the classic 1882 short story 'The Lady or the Tiger?' by Frank R. Stockton, noting that both narratives wisely withhold a definitive conclusion.
"It's really the only possible ending," Cameron stated. "You don't get to the end of 'The Lady or the Tiger?' and know what's behind which door."
The Deeper Political Message
Cameron elaborated that the ambiguity was not merely a narrative device but central to the film's profound warning. "But that's not even really the point," he explained. "The point is: From the moment the scenario began at minute zero when the missile was launched and detected, the outcome already sucked."
He argued the film's core purpose was to illustrate the terrifying reality of nuclear brinkmanship. "There was no good outcome, and the movie spent two hours showing you there is no good outcome. We cannot countenance these weapons existing at all."
Cameron then highlighted the chilling political mechanism at the story's heart. "And it all boils down to one guy in the American system, the president, who is the only person allowed to launch a nuclear strike... and the lives of every person on the planet revolve around that one person." He concluded with a pointed reminder: "That's the world we live in and we need to remember that when we vote next time."
The former couple, married from 1989 to 1991, collaborated on films like Point Break (1991) and Strange Days (1995). In the same interview, Cameron also addressed a past slight, calling out comedian Amy Poehler for an "ignorant" joke about his marriage to Bigelow made at the 2013 Golden Globes.
