Today’s quick review: Zero Dark Thirty. In the years after 9/11, Maya (Jessica Chastain), a CIA analyst stationed in Pakistan, works diligently to track down Osama bin Laden. Maya finally gets the break she needs when she finds out the name of bin Laden’s personal courier. But with no concrete intel to back up her intuition, she faces an uphill battle to convince station chief Joseph Bradley (Kyle Chandler) that the lead is worth pursuing.
Zero Dark Thirty is a spy thriller about the hunt for Osama bin Laden. Jessica Chastain stars as Maya, a CIA analyst determined to see her investigation through to the end. Maya faces dead ends, misinformation, and skepticism from her superiors, all while she chases a lead that has a thin chance of bearing fruit. Zero Dark Thirty is a comprehensive and factual look at one of the most prominent American intelligence operations in recent history.
Zero Dark Thirty has a knack for putting the audience in the thick of the action. Interrogations, surveillance tactics, high-level political decisions, terrorist attacks, and military raids all come to life on the screen. The movie is meticulous about laying out the chain of events leading to the location of bin Laden, and both its capable acting and crisp presentation style are a great fit for the subject matter.
The tradeoff is that Zero Dark Thirty is not a personal story in the same way other depictions of real-world events tend to be. The spotlight is on Maya for most of the film, but her story comes second to the broader investigation. The movie sneaks in a handful of small character moments where a setback has a personal effect on Maya, but these are never long or distracting. The result is drama that’s largely delivered with professional detachment.
Zero Dark Thirty is a solid pick for anyone interested in either the hunt for Osama bin Laden or the workings of a modern intelligence operation more broadly. The movie will not appeal much to viewers who prefer more fictionalized stories with an emotional focus. But those willing to spend the time and attention will find it to be a frank drama that does justice to its subject matter.
For a fictional thriller about intelligence operations in the Middle East, try Traitor, Body of Lies, The Kingdom, or Syriana. For a historical look at the inner workings of the CIA, try The Good Shepherd. If you’re interested in a lighter drama starring Jessica Chastain, check out Molly’s Game.
7.4 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for a comprehensive look at a major intelligence operation.