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Bigelow and Oppenheim’s A House of Dynamite Realism Questioned by Author of Five Nuclear War Strategy Novels

Following the release of Netflix’s nuclear thriller A House of Dynamite, former judge and legal scholar Thomas J. Yeggy , author of five novels addressing U.S. nuclear war strategy, has published a detailed technical and narrative analysis questioning the film’s claims of realism and authenticity in depicting a nuclear missile crisis. Released on October 24, 2025, A House of Dynamite, directed by Kathryn Bigelow and written by Noah Oppenheim, presents a fictional scenario involving a single missile launch toward the United States and the compressed decision-making timeline facing national leadership. While the film positions itself as a realistic portrayal of nuclear command and control, Yeggy argues that key technical, strategic, and procedural elements diverge from established facts. Yeggy’s analysis identifies multiple discrepancies, including the use of outdated missile detection systems, inaccurate flight timelines, and implausible command structures. He notes that the film relies on Defense Support Program satellites that have largely been replaced by Space-Based Infrared System satellites, which provide faster detection, origin identification, and trajectory analysis. The critique also addresses interception scenarios shown in the film, highlighting the omission of modern Aegis-equipped naval assets and recent interceptor performance data. Yeggy further challenges the portrayal of retaliatory pressure placed on the President, stating that the United States’ nuclear deterrent structure allows for greater flexibility than the film suggests. While acknowledging the role of artistic license in filmmaking, Yeggy emphasizes that A House of Dynamite promotes itself as authentic rather than speculative. He cautions that such framing may reinforce public misunderstandings about nuclear capabilities and policy. “As entertainment, the film succeeds in creating tension,” Yeggy writes. “As a reference for understanding nuclear operations, it falls short.” About the Author Thomas J. Yeggy holds undergraduate degrees in English and psychology and is a graduate of the University of Iowa College of Law. He practiced law in Iowa and Illinois and served as the mental health and substance abuse judge for Scott County, Iowa, for more than 25 years, authoring more than 1,500 judicial opinions. He is also a former licensed Series 7 broker. Yeggy is the author of five historical fiction novels addressing U.S. nuclear policy during the early Cold War period. More information is available at https://www.thomasjyeggy.com/blog/a-house-of-dynamite-thirteen-technical-and-storyline-issues This analysis is published by Parallax Publishing, an independent publishing house focused on nuclear policy, history, and strategic analysis.