There is a huge downside to streaming House Of Dynamite on Netflix

When was the last time you could say the latest Netflix original was a perfect demonstration of the importance of the theatrical experience? The streaming giant’s usual strategy has been to acquire or develop as much valuable intellectual property as possible, all for the express purpose of feeding their algorithmic machinery. Except for Greta Gerwig here Or Guillermo del Toro out there, whose films “The Chronicles of Narnia” and “Frankenstein” will get a token big-screen release before they debut on the platform, and Netflix has remained firmly committed to The Living Room Experience™ at all costs. But perhaps the best counterpart to this approach is the latest version. embarrassed.

This may end up being many of the viewer’s takeaways from “dynamite house,” which is scheduled to arrive in a limited number of theaters. That’s not to say that director Kathryn Bigelow’s long-awaited return to directing after 2017’s Detroit is an Oppenheimer-level spectacle, mind you. The thriller clearly boasts an impressive cast, led by the likes of Idris Elba, Rebecca Ferguson, Greta Lee, Jason Clarke, and many more. The The apocalyptic premise of the United States government seeking to respond to an impending nuclear strike could not seem more relevant. Otherwise, this modest (and disturbing) drama doesn’t exactly scream, “Watch this on the biggest screen possible!”

Except that’s exactly what he does anyway. By supporting this particular project, Netflix has inadvertently reminded us that nothing can live up to the way movies have always been meant to be watched. Although it may be tempting to wait until “A House of Dynamite” is available to watch “for free” at home, we’re here to tell you that it’s advisable — if not vital -Catch this in theaters if you can.

Without spoiling anything for those who intend to see this film in the near future, let’s just say that “A House of Dynamite” couldn’t be a better public service announcement for the theater industry if it tried. Those of us obsessed with maintaining the perfect presentation for new movies know all too well that they simply look different when viewed on a larger canvas than a flat screen TV. There’s the effect of seeing larger-than-life situations literally unfold in a format that forces us to drink in every little detail of an actor’s face or an immaculately designed set, of course. What’s more, the concept of sitting in a dark room (hopefully) free of distractions and without the ability to hit the pause button turns this particular story into a unique pressure cooker situation.

“Dynamite house“It can certainly be enjoyed from the comforts of home, but we can’t overlook the fact that it’s not the best way to do so. In a movie specifically designed to intensify the intensity and tension of impending doom with every passing second, thanks to a wayward nuclear missile aimed directly at the continental United States, the feeling of being stuck in a situation you have no control over is… The whole point. The vast majority of viewers who inevitably end up watching this film in between folding laundry or doing dishes, or answering phone calls and text messages, will miss what makes this film worth watching in the first place — and that’s not the fault of the audiences, but the fault of the medium.

Even more than most films, “A House of Dynamite” benefits more from the feeling of being “trapped” in the theater while the characters are stuck in the most extreme scenario imaginable.

I know what you’re probably thinking: It’s easy for some arrogant critic in Los Angeles or New York (guilty!) to talk about supporting theaters when they live in an area with endless options for doing so. This is undeniably true. Too many viewers will have no choice but to watch “A House of Dynamite” the only way available to them – on Netflix. This doesn’t necessarily make anyone a #FakeFan or strip them of their movie credibility card, no matter how intolerant Film Twitter and other insular communities are with this kind of thing. (Trust me, I know.) Historically, no amount of guilt or shame from audiences has helped hard-pressed theaters, especially after a weekend where only a superhero like him exists. Taylor Swift saved her weekend box office from a complete disaster.

All we hope to convey here is that “A House of Dynamite” is a must-see for anyone who loves movies… but that goes double when you experience it the way it was meant to be. While the cast and crew will no doubt play it good at the press tour, praising Netflix for believing in the production and providing a way to release this at all, deep down, we’d hazard a guess that their true feelings might be somewhat different. Like any of Bigelow’s previous work (not to mention the cast), the action and drama are a natural fit for the big screen. After all, even Netflix is ​​tacitly acknowledging this by playing the awards season game and allowing a limited theatrical release in the first place.

Ultimately, this will likely be another Netflix movie intended primarily for consumption via streaming. We can only hope that as many moviegoers as possible take these words to heart. Check your local listings for theaters currently showing “A House of Dynamite.”