The film has also been criticized for its perceived endorsement of torture. Some have argued that the film's representation of torture is too sympathetic, and that it implies that the practice is justified in certain circumstances. Others have argued that the film's focus on the pursuit of bin Laden overshadows the more nuanced and complex issues surrounding the War on Terror.
Zero Dark Thirty has contributed to a broader cultural conversation about the War on Terror and the use of torture. The film has been seen as a reflection of the post-9/11 American psyche, with its depiction of torture and violence reflecting a society willing to sacrifice its values in the name of security.
The representation of torture in Zero Dark Thirty has been widely criticized, with many arguing that it trivializes or even glorifies the practice. Critics argue that the film implies that torture is an effective means of gathering intelligence, and that it was instrumental in leading to the discovery of bin Laden's hiding place.
The depiction of torture in Zero Dark Thirty serves several purposes in the narrative. Firstly, it establishes the high stakes of the operation and the desperation of the characters. The use of torture is portrayed as a necessary evil in the pursuit of bin Laden, and it underscores the sense of urgency and danger that drives the plot.
An Analysis of Zero Dark Thirty: Representation, Torture, and the War on Terror