What is Jonah Hauer-King’s “Frightening” New Role? Jonah Hauer-King in Netflix’s “A House of Dynamite”

Jonah Hauer-King steps into a role he describes as “frightening” in Kathryn Bigelow’s latest thriller, ‘A House of Dynamite,’ now streaming on Netflix. In a film charting the escalating chaos within America’s corridors of power as an atomic threat looms, Hauer-King portrays a clean-cut military aide. His character is tasked with shadowing the President, played by Idris Elba, while carrying the critical satchel of nuclear strike options and launch codes. The dynamic between the two actors, both avid Arsenal fans, adds an unexpected layer of camaraderie to a narrative steeped in monumental decisions about the U.S. military. The film has already generated significant buzz, with a particular line delivered by Hauer-King resonating alarmingly with viewers.

The Weight of the ‘Football’ and a Chilling Reality

Hauer-King’s character in ‘A House of Dynamite’ embodies the chilling composure required in the face of unimaginable global catastrophe. He carries the “football,” the satchel containing nuclear strike options, a symbol of immense responsibility. A line delivered by his character, comparing apocalyptic scenarios to “rare, medium and well done,” has become a disturbing focal point for audiences. Friends of Hauer-King have even texted him this particular line after seeing the film.

What makes this line even more unsettling is its basis in reality. Hauer-King confirmed that the line, though brutal, was not a fictional construct by writer Noah Oppenheim. Instead, it was an anecdotal detail, suggesting that at least one individual in such a position historically referred to these scenarios in such a detached manner. This revelation, he states, is “really frightening!”. The character’s emotionless and clinical demeanor, coupled with his pristine military uniform, makes him a potent and terrifying element within the film, effectively presenting him as the composed face of potential nuclear annihilation.

Crafting a Frightening Calm

Despite being one of the smaller roles in ‘A House of Dynamite,’ Hauer-King’s portrayal is pivotal. His character, relatively young in his military career, is burdened with immense responsibility and trained to maintain constant alertness and calm. As Hauer-King describes, his character is always “lurking in the background, following the president and waiting for the worst possible thing to happen — but obviously the hope is that they’re never actually called into action”.

Director Kathryn Bigelow envisioned the character as someone who takes their job with the “utmost seriousness” and feels “quite honored” by the responsibility. Hauer-King admits that adopting this mindset was extremely challenging, noting that a certain level of “disconnect” might be necessary for individuals in such roles, a concept he finds “shocking”. Bigelow’s films, known for their deep dives into military protocol, “live and die on their authenticity,” Hauer-King explains, highlighting the extensive presence of historical and military advisers on set. This rich research proved invaluable, as the classified nature of the role precluded direct consultation with real-life counterparts.

British Sensibilities in American Crisis

An amusing irony emerged during the filming, particularly for Hauer-King and Idris Elba. Both British actors, specifically Londoners and fans of the Arsenal football club, found themselves in a surreal situation: “two Arsenal fans driving around in the presidential beast and making these monumental choices about the U.S. military,” Hauer-King recalls with a laugh.

Initially, Hauer-King’s dual-citizenship (his mother is American, his father British) was considered a potential “stumbling block” during auditions for the American role. However, he discovered on set that a significant portion of the cast was not American, making the shared Londoner bond with Elba all the more notable.

A Diverse Repertoire: Hauer-King’s Recent Career Trajectory

‘A House of Dynamite’ marks another significant step in Jonah Hauer-King’s rapidly ascending career. Having gained wider recognition as Prince Eric in Disney’s live-action ‘The Little Mermaid,’ he has steadily diversified his roles. This includes the poignant Holocaust TV drama ‘The Tattooist of Auschwitz’ in 2024.

The year 2025 has been particularly active, seeing him in three distinct films where he notably portrays American characters. He was part of the ensemble cast in Jennifer Kaytin Robinson’s slasher reboot-sequel hybrid ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer.’ Following this, he starred in Chad Hartigan’s romantic comedy ‘The Threesome,’ where he played a character grappling with the comedic complexities of a one-time ménage à trois leading to double pregnancies. Hauer-King insists that playing American characters in these three films was coincidental, and he worked diligently to perfect distinct American accents for each role, even modeling one on singer Benson Boone.

Looking ahead, Hauer-King is set to portray the real-life Mark Vonnegut in ‘The Eden Express,’ based on the 1975 memoir. Additionally, he will appear in Anna Biller’s next feature, ‘The Face of Horror,’ a gory ghost story with a stylistic homage to Technicolor films of the ’40s and ’50s. This role offers a rare departure from the American accent, with Hauer-King playing a medieval knight requiring a “heightened RP” (Received Pronunciation).

Lessons in Humility

Despite his growing success and demand, Hauer-King recently shared a valuable lesson in humility from his co-star, Idris Elba. During a particularly challenging scene in ‘A House of Dynamite’ set in the presidential limousine, Elba turned to Hauer-King after the first take and admitted, “That was really hard.” Hauer-King found this moment a “really nice reminder that even someone like him can find this difficult. And not everyone reacts like that”.

Conclusion

Jonah Hauer-King’s role in ‘A House of Dynamite’ is a testament to his versatility and his willingness to tackle complex, unsettling characters. His portrayal of the composed military aide, tasked with the ultimate responsibility, is both impactful and thought-provoking, especially given the real-world implications of the film’s narrative. Sharing scenes and a laugh with Idris Elba, two Arsenal fans navigating the brink of global catastrophe, adds a compelling human dimension to the high-stakes drama. As Hauer-King continues to expand his diverse filmography, his performance in ‘A House of Dynamite’ solidifies his position as a rising talent capable of bringing depth and nuance to challenging roles.