“A Paradox of Safety”: Senator Markey Discusses “A House of Dynamite” Film with Director Kathryn Bigelow

Watch: Senator Markey and Bigelow discuss "A House of Dynamite," warnings for U.S. nuclear policy

Boston (November 14, 2025) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a co-chair of the bicameral Nuclear Weapons and Arms Control Working Group, recently spoke with Kathryn Bigelow, director of "A House of Dynamite," about her film and takeaways for the American public and policymakers surrounding nuclear weapons and the risks of nuclear war. Below is an excerpt of their conversation.

Senator Markey: "What would you hope that the American people would take away from your movie after they've seen it?"

Kathryn Bigelow: "I think the response is to realize how catastrophic the environment is that we live in. I mean, that's what 'House of Dynamite' is indicating, is that we live in a house of dynamite. This world is a house of dynamite ready to blow at any second. And it's just how what kind of world do you want to live in?"

Senator Markey: "We're almost sleepwalking into a massive nuclear arms race."

Bigelow: "Well, that was my suspicion from the beginning. And that's why I wanted to make this movie. I wanted to create a parable about what would happen if, you know, one of these weapons were launched toward the continental United States. What would happen? What happens in the halls of power? What is the chain of command and how ready are we. It's kind of the paradox of safety. We're not safe. Nobody wins a nuclear war. And so, we're in a situation that I think, you know, we need to be very, very careful how we proceed along these lines."

Senator Markey has long been a champion pushing for deep and verifiable reductions in nuclear arsenals and in advocating for U.S.-Russian talks to replace New START. On October 28, Senator Markey published an op-ed on MSNBC titled, "I'm a U.S. senator. 'House of Dynamite' exposes a brutal truth." On October 17, Senator Markey, Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Rep. John Garamendi (D-Calif.), and Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.)-co-chairs of the bicameral Nuclear Weapons and Arms Control Working Group-led a bipartisan group of colleagues in writing to Secretary of State Marco Rubio requesting that the Trump administration work with Russia to continue adhering to the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) after it expires in 100 days on February 5, 2026. If no action is taken by then, there will be no agreed limits on U.S. and Russian nuclear forces for the first time in decades.

In July, Senator Markey introduced the Senate companion to H.Res.317, urging the United States to lead the world in halting the nuclear arms race. In February, Senator Markey introduced a resolution to recommit the United States to arms control, one year ahead of the expiration of New START. And in January, Senator Markey reintroduced a bill with Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA) to ensure that no president can start a nuclear war without congressional approval.

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