Zero Dark Thirty Movie Review

When the news came out that Osama Bin Laden was killed during a secret operation, a lot of things came into the minds of a lot of people. And one of those was how will the movie adaptation go.

Well, ever since that news, films and documentaries came out but they were focused on the raid and the military operation that ultimately killed Bin Laden. That’s what makes Kathyrn Bigelow’s Zero Dark Thirty different from all the rest.

Zero Dark Thirty is a film about the grueling manhunt which spanned ten years. Now that is a very hard story to depict on screen or even write. But Bigelow and his Hurt Locker writer Mark Boal did just that. And it is another near perfect film.

Bigelow tells the story with a central character rather than the SEAL Team Six, the unit that were used for the raid. Bigelow tells the manhunt in the form of Maya, a CIA Intelligence officer who has dedicated her life in finding Bin Laden. Maya is played by Jessica Chastain who does a very remarkable and memorable job. Chastain completely disappears into the role and she manages to evolve her character throughout the film. At the beginning, we can see Maya as an officer fresh from the office and still squeamish when she is introduced to her first torture. We can see she still has reservations as well as pity to the person being questioned.

As the movie progresses, we get to see Maya be more determined and frightening. She has lost colleagues and almost gets killed. By the end of the film, we see Maya as strong and at times cold for wanting only Bin Laden. For ten years, she has been hunting this man and during the confirmation of the body, we see Maya’s face react as if quietly feeling a sense of fulfillment. Her emotions are greatly portrayed by Chastain. We are able to feel Maya’s emotions in this film. All the frustrations and relief which at times is very hard to do are easily delivered to the audience in Zero Dark Thirty.

Cinematography is just brilliant. Like her Hurt Locker film, Zero Dark Thirty uses every angle and scene to its full potential. Bigelow uses the elements perfectly creating a well-balanced and engaging scene. Bigelow also does a great job with the lighting. She blends everything perfectly making each scene come alive even with a little light.

Zero Dark Thirty has been met with a lot of controversy with regards of depicting torture. Here is what I have to say, the torture shown in the film is crucial to the story. Initially, it creates the mood of the film. It also shows us how information was drawn from prisoners on Bin Laden which is no mystery to everyone around the world. The torture is part of the story and was well portrayed and delivered.

The culmination of the film is of course the raid. And Bigelow delivers one of the best action sequences in film. In movie, raids are usually loud, precise and are joined by thrilling music. But Bigelow showcases a raid which showcases the soldiers rather than the operation or the enemies. Their movements are calculated and every move has excitement and thrill. And the music or theme is subtle but also engaging. The raid is quite and precise just like what really happened that night. Bigelow managed to show us as well as let us feel what really happened inside the compound. Even thought we already know the outcome, we still get surprised at what the soldiers faced inside the house.

Zero Dark Thirty is worthy to be called film of the year. It delivers and engages its viewers. It builds the story in just the right pace and you will immediately be caught in all the emotion and thrill of the story. It’s gritty, emotion driven, tactical story telling of the hunt for Bin Laden. Bigelow does it again. I highly recommend this film and I give it 9 out of 10.