Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer is a grand biopic focusing on J. Robert Oppenheimer’s pivotal role in developing the atomic bomb. Based on “American Prometheus” by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin, the film spans the 1930s and 1940s, exploring Oppenheimer’s involvement in the Manhattan Project.

The star-studded cast includes Cillian Murphy as J Robert Oppenheimer, alongside Robert Downey Jr., Emily Blunt, and Florence Pugh.

The movie employs a unique narrative structure, shifting between three time periods. In 1954, the United States Atomic Energy Commission holds a security hearing to determine if Oppenheimer is a Soviet spy.

The film then delves into Oppenheimer’s life, showcasing his journey from university to the development of the atomic bomb. Finally, a black-and-white segment in 1959 focuses on Lewis Strauss, the former Atomic Energy Commission chairman, facing a Senate confirmation hearing related to the events of 1954.

Oppenheimer Cast And Characters:

Cillian Murphy as J. Robert Oppenheimer

Cillian Murphy stars as theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, known as the “Father of the atomic bomb,” in Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated film. Set during the Manhattan Project, the movie delves into the complexities of Oppenheimer’s character and his pivotal role in history. Murphy, a veteran of Nolan’s films, brings his exceptional talent to the forefront, portraying Oppenheimer as a fascinating and contradictory figure. With his keen interest in the man rather than the mechanics of the bomb, Murphy’s performance promises to be captivating and emotionally charged. As the countdown begins for the release of the movie, audiences eagerly await this unique and gripping exploration of one of humanity’s most significant moments.

Emily Blunt as Katherine “Kitty” Oppenheimer

In the movie Emily Blunt shines as Katherine “Kitty” Oppenheimer, wife of J. Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy). Blunt’s remarkable performances in films like A Quiet Place Part II and Sicario make her a perfect fit for Nolan’s intense narrative. In the movie, Kitty supports her husband through his work anxieties and affair with Jean Tatlock, confronting government officials with bravery. In reality, Kitty was a botanist and biologist connected to the Communist party before meeting Oppenheimer in 1939. Their relationship faced challenges, and they married in 1940, eventually moving to Los Alamos for the Manhattan Project. Blunt’s portrayal promises to make the movie a compelling and unforgettable film, solidifying her as a Hollywood powerhouse.

Matt Damon as Leslie Groves

Matt Damon, the versatile actor known for his roles in “Good Will Hunting,” “The Martian,” and the Jason Bourne franchise, reunites with Christopher Nolan in the biopic “Oppenheimer.” Damon plays Lieutenant Leslie Groves, the visionary director of the Manhattan Project. Leading a group of brilliant scientists, Groves’ mission was to develop the first atomic bomb during World War II. Approving Los Alamos as a testing site, he personally recruited J. Robert Oppenheimer, forging a bond of trust and allies amidst controversy. Witnessing the historic detonation of the first atomic bomb, Groves’ leadership played a pivotal role in shaping history. In the movie, Damon’s portrayal promises to be captivating, adding another memorable performance to his impressive career under Nolan’s direction.

Robert Downey Jr. as Lewis Strauss

Robert Downey Jr. stars as Lewis Strauss in Christopher Nolan’s movie. Strauss, a businessman, philanthropist, and naval officer, served on the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) and clashed with J. Robert Oppenheimer during controversial hearings in 1954. Strauss suspected Oppenheimer of being a Soviet spy, leading to the revocation of Oppenheimer’s security clearance. Downey’s remarkable versatility shines as he transitions from his iconic role as Tony Stark/Iron Man to portraying the complex antagonist. His extraordinary performance adds depth to the film’s narrative, making it highly anticipated.

Florence Pugh as Jean Tatlock

In the movie, Florence Pugh portrays Jean Tatlock, a captivating and complex character. Tatlock’s romantic relationship with J. Robert Oppenheimer, amid his marriage to Katherine “Kitty” Oppenheimer, unfolds during their time at the University of California, Berkeley. Her affiliation with the American Communist Party becomes a significant part of the narrative, particularly during Lewis Strauss’ AEC hearing. Struggling with inner turmoil and depression, Tatlock’s tragic decision to end her life at 29 deeply affects Oppenheimer, contributing to his mounting anxiety.

Josh Hartnett as Ernest Lawrence

Josh Hartnett portrays Ernest Lawrence, the brilliant physicist and inventor of the cyclotron, in the movie. As Lawrence constructs the cyclotron at UC Berkeley, a close friendship with J. Robert Oppenheimer forms. Lawrence’s pivotal role comes when he recommends Oppenheimer for the directorship of the Manhattan Project’s Los Alamos research site, leading to his involvement in nuclear weapons development. With “Oppenheimer,” Hartnett gets another opportunity to collaborate with Nolan after turning down Batman’s role in “Batman Begins” due to scheduling conflicts, delivering a charismatic and profound portrayal of Lawrence.

Matthew Modine as Vannevar Bush

In the movie, the eagerly awaited biopic, Matthew Modine portrays Vannevar Bush. Known for their previous collaboration on “The Dark Knight Rises,” Modine’s versatility shines as he brings to life the American engineer and inventor’s pivotal role during World War II. His portrayal adds depth and authenticity to the film’s narrative, exploring Bush’s moral dilemmas surrounding the development of the atomic bomb. As fans anticipate the movie’s release, Modine’s compelling performance and Nolan’s storytelling are set to make the film a cinematic masterpiece.

Casey Affleck as Boris Pash

Casey Affleck plays Boris Pash, a military intelligence officer, in the film. During WWII, Pash investigates potential Soviet spies, leading him to interrogate J. Robert Oppenheimer. Despite suspicions, Pash finds no evidence of espionage but suggests placing counter-intelligence agents with Oppenheimer at Los Alamos. Reuniting with Matt Damon, the film promises an enthralling espionage thriller, showcasing Affleck’s talent and captivating the audience with spy mysteries and stellar performances.

Rami Malek as David Hill

Rami Malek, the Academy Award-winning actor renowned for his portrayal of Freddie Mercury in “Bohemian Rhapsody,” will captivate audiences once more in the film. With Malek’s exceptional talent, this biopic promises to be a must-watch. For more of his outstanding work, explore “Mr. Robot,” “Bohemian Rhapsody,” and “No Time To Die.”

David L. Hill, an associate experimental physicist at the University of Chicago’s Met Lab during the Manhattan Project, played a crucial role in history. As a witness to the world’s first nuclear reactor going critical, Hill’s contributions were invaluable. In the movie, he disrupts Lewis Strauss’ bid for U.S. Secretary of Commerce by exposing his deceitful tactics during the AEC hearing that stripped Oppenheimer of his security clearance.

Kenneth Branagh as Niels Bohr

In the film, Kenneth Branagh portrays Niels Bohr, a Danish physicist renowned for his quantum theory and the Bohr model of the atom. He earned the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1922. During World War II, Bohr was involved in Tube Alloys, Britain’s counterpart to the Manhattan Project. He supported Oppenheimer’s research on neutron initiators and was depicted as one of Oppenheimer’s physicist heroes in the film, attending one of his college lectures.

Benny Safdie as Edward Teller

Benny Safdie, known for co-directing “Uncut Gems” and “Good Times,” takes on the role of Edward Teller, the renowned theoretical physicist and “father of the hydrogen bomb.” In “Oppenheimer,” Safdie portrays Teller’s involvement in the Manhattan Project, from the 1942 summer planning seminar at UC Berkeley to his research on uranium hydride and nuclear weapon implosion, culminating in witnessing the Trinity test’s historic detonation.

Gary Oldman as President Truman

Gary Oldman, an Oscar-winning actor with whom Nolan collaborated on the “Dark Knight” trilogy, portrays the 33rd US President, Harry S. Truman, in the movie. Truman, who became president after Franklin D. Roosevelt, was unaware of the Manhattan Project until assuming office. As president, he authorized the historic use of nuclear weapons on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, depicted in the film, where he consoles Oppenheimer about history’s judgment.

David Krumholtz as Isidor Isaac Rabi

David Krumholtz, known for roles in “Harold & Kumar” and “The Santa Clause,” portrays American physicist Isidor Isaac Rabi in the movie. Rabi received the 1944 Nobel Prize in Physics for discovering nuclear magnetic resonance and contributed to the Manhattan Project as a consultant. In the film, he fervently defends Oppenheimer’s patriotism during the AEC security hearing, emphasizing Oppenheimer’s love for and defense of the country through his work on the project.

David Dastmalchian as William L. Borden

In the movie, David Dastmalchian portrays William L. Borden, the former executive director of the United States Congress Joint Committee on Atomic Energy. Borden gained notoriety for writing a letter to FBI director J. Edgar Hoover, accusing Oppenheimer of being a Soviet spy. The film depicts Borden as a pawn of Lewis Strauss, aiming to distance Strauss from Oppenheimer’s downfall, leading him to testify against Oppenheimer in the security hearings.

Michael Angarano as Robert Serber

In the film, Michael Angarano plays Robert Serber, an American physicist who played a significant role in the Manhattan Project. Prior to joining the project in 1941, Serber had worked under Oppenheimer at the University of California, Berkeley, and the California Institute of Technology. He was also part of Project Alberta, which facilitated the delivery of nuclear weapons during the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Jack Quaid as Richard Feynman

Jack Quaid takes on the role of Richard Feynman, a New York City theoretical physicist who won the 1965 Nobel Prize in Physics alongside Julian Schwinger and Shin’ichirō Tomonaga for their groundbreaking work in quantum physics. Feynman played a crucial role in the Manhattan Project’s Los Alamos operation, leading Hans Bethe’s Theoretical Division and developing the Bethe-Feynman formula for fission bomb yield calculation.

Josh Peck as Kenneth Bainbridge

Josh Peck, former Nickelodeon star from “Drake and Josh,” portrays American physicist Kenneth Bainbridge in the movie. Known for his cyclotron research, Bainbridge directed the Trinity test, the first atomic bomb detonation on July 16, 1945. In the film, he follows Oppenheimer’s orders to press the detonation button, expressing remorse afterward. Witnessing the Trinity test leads Bainbridge to oppose further nuclear weapon testing.

Olivia Thirlby as Lilli Hornig

Olivia Thirlby, renowned for her roles in “Juno” and “Dredd 3D,” portrays Lilli Hornig, a feminist activist and scientist who played a vital role in the Manhattan Project. Alongside her husband, chemist Bruce Hornig, she joined Oppenheimer’s team in Los Alamos, becoming a staff scientist for the project.

Dane DeHaan as Kenneth Nichols

In the film, Dane DeHaan plays Kenneth Nichols, a US Army officer and civil engineer from Cleveland, Ohio, who played a key role in the Manhattan Project. He later became head of the Manhattan Engineer District, overseeing plutonium production. Involved in the Oppenheimer security hearing, Nichols believed he was a Communist and supported stripping him of his AEC security clearance. The movie portrays Nichols as a mole, encouraging William L. Borden to report Oppenheimer’s alleged Soviet ties to the FBI.

Jason Clarke as Roger Robb

Jason Clarke takes on the role of Roger Robb, a United States circuit judge and special counsel for the Atomic Energy Commission during the 1954 security hearing against Oppenheimer. Over four intense weeks, Robb and an AEC panel interrogated Oppenheimer, suspecting him of being a Soviet spy. Utilizing dramatic methods, Robb aimed to paint Oppenheimer as guilty, ultimately leading the board to revoke his security clearance. Robb’s reputation was defined by his relentless and uncompromising tactics.

James D’Arcy as Patrick Blackett

James D’Arcy, known for his role in “Cloud Atlas,” portrays Patrick Blackett, a Nobel Prize-winning experimental physicist. He proved radioactivity’s role in nuclear transmutation, and Oppenheimer was one of his students. The film hints at a tense student-teacher relationship, with Oppenheimer displaying unstable behavior towards Blackett.

Tony Goldwyn as Gordon Gray

Tony Goldwyn transitions from portraying the president in “Scandal” to embodying Gordon Gray in the movie. Gray, an American attorney and national security official, played a significant role in the AEC committee’s security hearing against Oppenheimer. The film suggests Gray’s opposition to Oppenheimer, believing him to be a Soviet spy, and collaborating with Roger Robb to influence the hearing’s outcome.

Tom Conti as Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist, appears in the movie due to his friendship with the title character. Though he didn’t work on the Manhattan Project, he warned the U.S. government about Germany’s potential atomic bomb development. His letter to President Roosevelt played a crucial role in initiating the Manhattan Project.

Alex Wolff as Luis Walter Alvarez

Alex Wolff stars as Luis Walter Alvarez, the Nobel Prize-winning physicist recognized for his particle physics contributions with the hydrogen bubble chamber. Alvarez, a close associate of Ernest Lawrence (played by Josh Hartnett), conducted research at the University of California, Berkeley, using Lawrence’s cyclotron to study tritium. The film portrays Alvarez with Lawrence and Oppenheimer when they receive news of the first atom split, mirroring his involvement in the real-life Manhattan Project at Los Alamos.

Dylan Arnold as Frank Oppenheimer

Dylan Arnold takes on the role of Frank Oppenheimer, J. Robert Oppenheimer’s brother, in the film. As a particle physicist, Frank played a significant role in the Manhattan Project, assisting in the preparation of the Trinity test. His involvement in the American Communist Party and invitations to party gatherings added complexity to J. Robert Oppenheimer’s story and raised scrutiny during the AEC security hearing.

Jefferson Hall as Haakon Chevalier

Haakon Chevalier, portrayed by actor Jefferson Hall from “Game of Thrones,” was a French professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and a close friend of Oppenheimer since 1937. The film depicts their friendship blossoming at a Communist party and their joint creation of the university’s teachers’ union, supporting leftist causes. Chevalier’s revelation about Soviet attempts to infiltrate the Manhattan Project led Oppenheimer to protect his identity, a crucial factor in the AEC security hearing that eventually resulted in him losing his security clearance.

Matthias Schweighöfer as Werner Heisenberg

In the movie, Matthias Schweighöfer, renowned for his role in “Army of the Dead,” briefly appears as Werner Heisenberg. Heisenberg, the German theoretical physicist, won the 1932 Nobel Prize in Physics for quantum mechanics’ creation. Oppenheimer idolizes Heisenberg in the film and seeks his genius to hasten the Manhattan Project in Los Alamos, knowing Heisenberg’s involvement in Germany’s nuclear weapons program during WWII.

Emma Dumont As Jackie Oppenheimer

Emma Dumont joins the, portraying Jackie Oppenheimer, who is the sister-in-law of J. Robert Oppenheimer, being married to his younger brother, Frank. While having smaller roles in Paul Thomas Anderson’s films, like Inherent Vice and Licorice Pizza, Dumont gained recognition as Lorna Dane/Polaris in the X-Men-inspired series, The Gifted.