During the height of the Cold War, a deranged American general triggers a nuclear crisis after ordering an airstrike against the Soviet Union. As chaos erupts, the president and his team of advisors are forced to act quickly to prevent a global disaster. With tensions rising and the clock ticking, the president and his small group make absurd and often hilarious decisions as they try to communicate with Soviet leaders.
On the other hand, Dr. Strangelove, a former Nazi scientist now turned U.S. government advisor, provides a surreal perspective, filled with irony and dark humor, on the situation. His peculiar way of speaking and strange ideas only add more confusion to an already complicated crisis. Meanwhile, a bomber pilot who does not receive the order to abort his mission relentlessly heads towards his target, adding an extra layer of madness to the plot.
What begins as an imminent threat of annihilation devolves into a jumble of comedic scenes and absurd dialogues, as the characters grapple with their own madness and the absurdity of war. The film shines in its critique of militarization and atomic fear, using satire to highlight the ridiculousness of a situation that could lead to the end of the world. Amid laughter and reflection, the film serves as a biting reminder of how power can become uncontrollable.