MARCH 2025:
Review at Zero Dark Thirty…
Kathryn Bigelow’s Zero Dark Thirty (2012) stands as a cinematic tour de force that dramatizes the decade-long manhunt for Osama bin Laden following the September 11 attacks. Written by Mark Boal and produced by Bigelow, Boal, and Megan Ellison, the film presents a tense, procedural narrative centered on CIA analyst Maya (Jessica Chastain) and her relentless pursuit of intelligence that leads to bin Laden’s compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Despite considerable controversy surrounding its portrayal of CIA interrogation tactics, Zero Dark Thirty achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success, securing its place as a significant work in contemporary American cinema.
Controversies and Political Backlash
One of the most enduring controversies surrounding Zero Dark Thirty relates to its depiction of CIA interrogation tactics. The film portrays “enhanced interrogation techniques” such as waterboarding, stress positions, and sleep deprivation, raising ethical questions about the film’s stance on these methods. Critics accused the film of implying that torture played a key role in extracting intelligence that led to bin Laden’s capture. This interpretation drew condemnation from figures in government and human rights organizations alike.
The controversy escalated when three prominent U.S. Senators—Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Carl Levin (D-MI), and John McCain (R-AZ)—wrote a letter to Sony Pictures Entertainment CEO Michael Lynton criticizing the film’s suggestion that torture was effective. McCain, himself a former prisoner of war, voiced particular concern that the film distorted historical facts, stating that CIA officials involved in the manhunt confirmed torture played no decisive role in discovering bin Laden’s location.
The Senate Intelligence Committee’s 2014 report on CIA torture further debunked the notion that enhanced interrogation yielded actionable intelligence leading to bin Laden’s capture. The report concluded that detainees subjected to harsh interrogations did not provide the crucial intelligence that ultimately pinpointed bin Laden’s whereabouts. This finding intensified criticisms that Zero Dark Thirty misled audiences by suggesting otherwise. Director Kathryn Bigelow defended her creative choices, emphasizing that the film aimed to document the events without overtly endorsing interrogation tactics. Nevertheless, the controversy remained a focal point of discourse surrounding the film.
![The Committee Study of the Central Intelligence Agency's Detention and Interrogation Program[1] is a report compiled by the bipartisan United States Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI) about the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)'s Detention and Interrogation Program and its use of torture during interrogation in U.S. government communiqués on detainees in CIA custody. The report covers CIA activities before, during, and after the "War on Terror." The initial report was approved on December 13, 2012, by a vote of 9–6, with seven Democrats, one independent, and one Republican voting in favor of the report and six Republicans voting in opposition.[2][3] The more-than 6,700-page report (including 38,000 footnotes)[4] details the history of the CIA's Detention and Interrogation Program and the Committee's 20 findings and conclusions. On December 9, 2014, the SSCI released a 525-page portion that consisted of key findings and an executive summary of the full report. It took more than five years to complete.[5][6] The full unredacted report remains classified.[7][8][9] The report details actions by CIA officials, including torturing prisoners, providing misleading or false information about classified CIA programs to the president, Department of Justice, Congress, and the media, impeding government oversight and internal criticism, and mismanaging the program. It also revealed the existence of previously unknown detainees, that more detainees were subjected to "enhanced interrogation techniques" (widely understood to be a euphemism for torture) than was previously disclosed, and that more techniques were used without Department of Justice approval. It concluded that the use of enhanced interrogation techniques did not yield unique intelligence that saved lives (as the CIA claimed), nor was it useful in gaining cooperation from detainees, and that the program damaged the United States' international standing.[1] Some people, including some CIA officials and U.S. Republicans, disputed the report's conclusions and said it provided an incomplete picture of the program. Others criticized the publishing of the report, citing its potential for damage to the U.S. and the contentious history of its development. Former Republican presidential nominee John McCain praised the release of the report. Upon the report’s release, then-President Barack Obama stated, "One of the strengths that makes America exceptional is our willingness to openly confront our past, face our imperfections, make changes and do better."[10] In the wake of the release of the report's executive summary, a large number of individuals and organizations called for the prosecution of the CIA and government officials who perpetrated, approved, or provided legal cover for the torture of detainees;[11][12][13][14][15] however, prosecutions are considered unlikely.[16] The U.S. has also passed legislation, sponsored by Senators McCain and Dianne Feinstein, to prevent U.S. agencies from using many of the torture techniques described in the report.[17] The 2019 film The Report covers the decade-long time period that led to the final creation and publication of the report.](https://i0.wp.com/moviestohistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/The-Senate-Intelligence-Committee-Report-on-CIA-Torture-.webp?resize=525%2C680&ssl=1)
Box Office Success and Awards Season Impact
Despite the polarizing controversy, Zero Dark Thirty performed remarkably well at the box office. The film earned over $132 million worldwide against a budget of approximately $40 million, reflecting its broad audience appeal. Its gripping narrative, intense performances, and realistic depiction of military operations attracted both casual viewers and critics alike.
The film’s awards season performance further underscored its success.
Zero Dark Thirty received five Academy Award nominations, including:
Best Picture
Best Actress (Jessica Chastain)
Best Original Screenplay (Mark Boal)
Best Film Editing (Dylan Tichenor and William Goldenberg)
Best Sound Editing (Paul N. J. Ottosson)
It ultimately secured the Oscar for Best Sound Editing, which resulted in a rare tie with Skyfall.
Jessica Chastain’s powerful portrayal of Maya earned her the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama. The film also appeared on numerous critics’ “Top 10 Films of 2012” lists, frequently ranking alongside major prestige dramas of the year.
Why the Film Resonated with Audiences
Zero Dark Thirty‘s success can be attributed to several key elements:
Immersive Direction: Kathryn Bigelow’s taut, documentary-style direction placed audiences in the heart of intelligence-gathering operations, creating an almost journalistic feel that enhanced its realism.
Jessica Chastain’s Performance: As Maya, Chastain delivered a deeply compelling performance that balanced emotional intensity with intellectual focus, providing audiences with a grounded protagonist amid the morally ambiguous narrative.
Meticulous Attention to Detail: Mark Boal’s script reflected extensive research, incorporating real-life events and procedural accuracy that intrigued viewers seeking insights into the high-stakes world of counterterrorism.
Emotional Weight: The climactic raid sequence, shot with precision and authenticity, immersed audiences in the intense tension of SEAL Team 6’s mission, culminating in a hauntingly understated conclusion.
Zero Dark Thirty remains a complex and provocative entry in the political thriller genre. While its portrayal of torture continues to generate debate, the film’s masterful direction, gripping narrative, and standout performances solidified its cultural impact. By blending historical drama with edge-of-your-seat suspense, Kathryn Bigelow’s film transcended controversy to become a defining work in modern war cinema. Its success at the box office and during awards season affirms its power as both a critical and commercial achievement, leaving viewers with a haunting reflection on the ethical costs of the War on Terror.
Zero Dark Thirty is available now with a subscription to Peacock…
- Roger Ebert, Review: John Q, February 15, 2002 https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/john-q-2002 ↩︎
- Roger Ebert, Review: Operation Dumbo Drop, July 28, 1995 https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/operation-dumbo-drop-1995 ↩︎