Cinematographer Barry Ackroyd Explains the ‘Ugly Beautiful’ Intensity of Netflix’s ‘House of Dynamite’

Netflix‘s nuclear thriller “House of Dynamite” delivers relentless real-time tension. Cinematographer Barry Ackroyd recently detailed how he created the film’s immersive visual style. He spoke at Poland’s Camerimage Film Festival in a conversation hosted by The Hollywood Reporter.

The film follows a terrifying 18-minute crisis after a missile launch. Ackroyd’s documentary-informed approach was key to selling this frighteningly plausible story. His long collaboration with director Kathryn Bigelow prioritizes a journalistic style over traditional beauty.

Building Tension Through Documentary Instincts

Ackroyd traced his method back to his documentary roots. He described his style as responding to what is happening in the moment. This creates a palpable sense of anxiety beneath the characters’ professional calm.

The film’s sets posed a unique visual challenge. Control rooms and bunkers were meticulously recreated on New Jersey soundstages. These windowless, secure locations were not inherently cinematic.

The crew embraced this reality fully. Ackroyd referred to the look as “ugly beautiful.” He argued this aesthetic feels more authentic and real to audiences. This philosophy extends from his early documentaries to his work with directors like Ken Loach and Paul Greengrass.

The Technical Demands of an 18-Minute Crisis

The film’s structure required innovative camera work. The same 18-minute crisis unfolds from three different perspectives. A multi-camera setup was essential to capture this without interrupting actor flow.

This technique allowed for multiple views of the same critical event. Actors could move freely without hitting traditional marks. The cameras followed the action organically, never anticipating it.

Ackroyd defended the film’s open-ended conclusion. He stated it places the final decision directly into the viewer’s hands. This choice amplifies the film’s unsettling and thought-provoking impact.

The “House of Dynamite” cinematography proves that visceral realism can be more powerful than polished spectacle. Barry Ackroyd’s “ugly beautiful” style makes the nuclear threat feel terrifyingly immediate. The film is now streaming globally on Netflix.

A quick knowledge drop for you:

Q1: What is the visual style of “House of Dynamite”?

The film uses a kinetic, documentary-like style. Cinematographer Barry Ackroyd employed handheld camerawork to create real-time intensity. He calls this authentic approach “ugly beautiful.”

Q2: How did the film sets influence the cinematography?

The sets were accurate recreations of secure bunkers and control rooms. These locations have no natural light and are not visually attractive. The cinematography had to embrace this stark, realistic environment.

Q3: Why was a multi-camera setup used?

The film replays its central crisis from three character perspectives. Multiple cameras were needed to capture these different angles efficiently. This setup also gave actors more freedom to perform without strict blocking.

Q4: What was the biggest challenge in shooting the film?

Capturing high tension in visually plain rooms was a major hurdle. The team had to make sterile government interiors feel cinematically intense. They achieved this through dynamic camera movement and focusing on actor performance.

Q5: How does the ending fit the film’s journalistic style?

The open-ended conclusion refuses to give a easy answer. Ackroyd says it forces the viewer to wrestle with the impossible decision. This aligns with the film’s goal of presenting a frighteningly plausible scenario.