Opened: July 21, 2023

Directed by: Christopher Nolan

Starring: Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., Florence Pugh, Josh Hartnett, Casey Affleck, Rami Malek, Kenneth Branagh, Benny Safdie, Dylan Arnold, Gustaf Skarsgård, David Krumholtz, Matthew Modine, David Dastmalchian, Tom Conti, Michael Angarano, Jack Quaid, Josh Peck, Olivia Thirlby, Dane DeHaan, Danny Deferrari, Alden Ehrenreich, Jefferson Hall, Jason Clarke, James D’Arcy, Tony Goldwyn, Devon Bostick, Alex Wolff, Scott Grimes, Josh Zuckerman, Matthias Schweighöfer, Christopher Denham, David Rysdahl, Guy Burnet, Louise Lombard, Harrison Gilbertson, Emma Dumont, Trong Fausa Aurvåg, Olli Haaskivi, John Gowans, Kurt Koehler, Macon Blair, Harry Groener, Jack Cutmore-Scott, James Remar, Gregory Jbara, Tim DeKay, James Urbaniak & Gary Oldman

A riveting epic following the life of the man pivotal in developing nuclear weapons, Oppenheimer is brilliant in every aspect.

During World War II, J. Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy) is approached by General Leslie Groves (Matt Damon) to help develop the atomic bomb. Years later, Oppenheimer is interrogated about his involvement, while Lewis Strauss (Robert Downey Jr.) is interrogated about Oppenheimer.

Amongst a cast of Hollywood heavyweights, it’s great to see the underrated Murphy finally get his chance to play the lead. His intensity is great, especially as he stays on the calmer side compared to Damon’s Groves.

By employing practical effects instead of CGI, using incredible sound editing and adding an intense score by Ludwig Göransson, the non-human elements of the film are just as intriguing.

Final say: A film that lives up to its hype and subject. ★★★★★