‘One of the best war movies of the century’ is leaving Netflix

Fans will want to revisit the title as the latest Oscars season wraps up

Film buffs have a very limited time to check out ‘one of the best war movies of the century’ on Netflix as the platform is getting ready to remove the title from the service.

As the glittery dust settles from the latest Oscars ceremony, audiences may want to revisit the winners and nominees from Academy Awards past and present. Included among that category will be 2012 release Zero Dark Thirty.

It was the follow-up to Best Director, Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay winning The Hurt Locker, from Kathryn Bigelow and writer Mark Boal.

Article continues below

According to its synopsis, the film’s narrative tells a fictionalised story based on real events. The story picks up following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Osama bin Laden becomes one of the most-wanted men on the planet.

The worldwide manhunt for the terrorist leader occupies the resources and attention of two U.S. presidential administrations. Ultimately, it is the work of a dedicated female operative, played in the film by Jessica Chastain, that proves instrumental in finally locating bin Laden.

View 2 Images

The film was not without its controversies

The cast also includes stellar support from the likes of Jason Clarke, Joel Edgerton, Kyle Chandler, James Gandolfini, Chris Pratt, and Succession’s Jeremy Strong.

While Zero Dark Thirty did not repeat the award winning success of Bigelow’s previous project, it is still highly regarded among reviewers and fans. This is despite a number of controversies. However, if you have never watched it before, or wish to experience it all over again, then time is running out.

While it is still available on Netflix, the platform currently notes that the last day to watch on the service is April 11. One critic for website Collider, called the 91% rated film ‘o ne of the best war movies of the century’.

Article continues below

They also claimed: “Zero Dark Thirty is not a war movie in the comfort watch sense. It is a 157-minute pressure cooker about intelligence work, obsession, moral compromise, and how victories are paid for in private…it continues to spark debate years later. That friction, arguably, is part of the film’s staying power because it rejects a tidier catharsis.”

Fans are just as full of praise as they share their thoughts online. One person said: ““No idea how this didn’t win the Best Picture Oscar. The best advert I can give it is that it stands the test of time.” Another added: “It’s awesome. Better than I thought it would be. The last 50 minutes or so is an edge of the seat thrill ride.”

View 2 Images

Some call it a ‘masterpiece’

Article continues below

However, some not the controversies attached to it. That includes its approach and depiction of torture as a positive tool and it was also criticised for using actual recordings of 9/11 victims.

One fan noted there are “many disturbing moments throughout where it can become unbearable to watch, especially its depictions of torture, which are gruesomely realistic”.

However, someone else suggested: “It’s an “entertaining piece of art that serves as a dramatic and emotional masterpiece, and one of the best films to come out of the 2010s”.

Article continues below

Zero Dark Thirty is streaming on Netflix until April 12.