ZERO DARK THIRTY

ZERO DARK THIRTY is an extremely well-made, very powerful account of the effort to find and kill Usama bin Ladin. It presents the CIA and military as determined protectors confronting Al Qaeda’s attacks on innocent people. Its patriotism is direct, and its central agent’s perseverance gives the film moral and emotional force.

That strength comes at a serious cost. The film contains many strong obscenities, intense military violence, and harsh interrogation scenes. It also opens with the screams of people dying in the Twin Towers on 9/11. The film’s hidden villain weakens the final sense of triumph, but the filmmaking remains compelling.

See it only if you are an adult—or an older teenager with mature parental guidance—who can withstand its content.

After the 9/11 attacks, CIA agent Maya devotes herself to finding Usama bin Ladin, the leader of Al Qaeda. Working through interrogations, intelligence, and dangerous operations in Pakistan and Afghanistan, she follows a possible connection to a secret messenger.

As officials in Washington become uncertain about pursuing the search, Maya grows more determined. Her investigation eventually points toward a compound in Pakistan, forcing reluctant leaders to decide whether to act.

Four stars means this is a thoroughly accomplished and powerful film. Director Kathryn Bigelow is described as a brilliant filmmaker, and the movie’s detailed account of the hunt for bin Ladin carries considerable force. Its patriotic perspective and focus on people striving to protect others give the story a clear dramatic purpose.

The chief artistic weakness is the villain’s absence. Bin Ladin remains behind the shadows for most of the film, so the story unfolds largely as a reaction to attacks. As a result, the ending brings little exhilaration about defeating a nefarious force.

The film presents a light Christian worldview through a female hero who believes her life has been spared so she can help capture Usama bin Ladin. It includes the phrase “God and country,” and the heroine weeps over the tragedy she has witnessed. The story also makes many strong moral points while portraying Al Qaeda’s jihadists in an extremely negative light.

ZERO DARK THIRTY is strongly patriotic, pro-American, pro-military, and pro-CIA. The CIA and military are shown as good guys trying to protect people, while bureaucracy and political hesitation frustrate the search. The film also presents a woman succeeding in the face of the sexism of radical Islam as a form of justice.

The movie’s moral framework is focused on protecting innocent people and stopping slaughter. Its treatment of interrogation and violence, however, leaves difficult questions about how justice should be pursued. Its central longing—to preserve life and protect others—connects with Jesus’ words: “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).

ZERO DARK THIRTY is powerful, patriotic, and exceptionally well made, but its strong obscenities and intense violence make it unsuitable for children and young teens. For discerning adults who can handle those concerns, it is WORTH THE TRIP — ADULTS ONLY. For other family movie nights, consider.