Most of us have always wondered if we would be alive when World War Three began. We all know it will be attached to some nuclear device that is sent sailing through the air toward an unknown target. In the future the countries of the globe decided to reduce the arms that each country has in hopes of preventing such a catastrophe. Did they do this in time?
This three-part story centers itself around an incident that threatens the United States and how its leaders respond. Is it the right response to retaliate before the episode occurs or do we wait and see if this occurrence was a mistake? Advantage points could be lost, or do we show weakness and determine who was the culprit that put one of our cities in danger of annihilation. Who has the correct answers for our leaders to respond and try and make the best decision that could save our planet?
As the threatening event begins, we start with Captain Olivia Walker (Rebecca Ferguson), a senior officer in the White House Situation Room, with her family dealing with a small crisis of their own and Admiral Mark Miller (Jason Clarke), Director of the White House Situation Room. Then we see Major Daniel Gonzalez (Anthony Ramos), commander of Fort Greely, a military base responsible for detecting incoming threats and destroying them with ground-based interceptor missiles, discussing a personal item on the phone. Lastly, Cathy Rogers (Moses Ingram), a FEMA official with the Office of National Continuity Programs, dealing with her everyday routine. What they encounter that day starts off quickly and changes their lives as certain doom enters their reality.
During the same time the second cycle presentation begins with the 162nd reenactment of Gettysburg where Ana Park (Greta Lee), the NSA national intelligence officer for North Korea, is watching the battle as it occurred with her son. While Deputy National Security Advisor Jake Baerington (Gabriel Basso) is discussing the day’s upcoming schedule with his pregnant wife, General Anthony Brady (Tracy Letts), Combatant Commander of United States Strategic Command (STRATCOM), is preparing for the news that was recently discovered. The preparation becomes heated as time begins to run out for everyone, and a final decision needs to be made soon. 
The last group consists of the President of the United States (Idris Elba), who is visiting a girls basketball meet up, Secretary of Defense Reid Baker (Jared Harris), is finishing up his golf game, and Lieutenant Commander Robert Reeves (Jonah Hauer-King), retaliatory strategy advisor and the Presidential Military Aide. Having the biggest responsibility for deciding our country’s response relies on these few important men as the rest of the panel seeks some sort of answers. With hope things will pan out for our country, but as it all seems we might just have to wait and see.
Director Kathryn Bigelow displays this film with three different points of view that develops into eventual consequence. By following the experience from these separate perspectives, she gives the audience a distinct feel on how this possible tragic situation could end the world as we know it.
This well-planned narrative successfully grabs your attention as you wonder what will eventually happen. It is definitely worth a peek to see the hard work that occurs when attempting to make a plan for our leaders as they try to protect our nation. An interesting entertaining film that is a sure view for those who love military and suspense stories. 
Final Comment: I based my grade on the well-developed script that was set forth by an amazing rendition by the performers. Stars 3.75 out of 5
Additional Film Information
Cast: Idris Elba, Rebecca Ferguson, Gabriel Basso, Jared Harris, and Tracy Letts.
Directed by: Kathryn Bigelow
Genre: Drama, and Thriller.
MPAA Rating: Rated R for language.
Running Time: 1 hour and 52 minutes.
Release Date: October 24, 2025
Distributed By: Netflix
Release In: Standard and Streaming format.
