Christopher Nolan’s latest film, Oppenheimer, has achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the most successful biopic ever made. The film, which stars Cillian Murphy as the physicist who led the development of the atomic bomb, has surpassed the previous record holder, Bohemian Rhapsody, which chronicled the life and career of Queen’s lead singer Freddie Mercury.
Oppenheimer’s Box Office Triumph
Oppenheimer has grossed over $912 million worldwide since its release on July 21, 2023, making it the third-highest-grossing film of the year, behind Barbie and The Super Mario Bros. Movie. It also became the highest-grossing World War II-related film of all time, beating Saving Private Ryan and Dunkirk. Moreover, it is the second-highest-grossing R-rated film of all time, only behind Joker.
The film’s success is especially impressive considering that it is a three-hour historical epic that never reached the top spot at the box office. It faced strong competition from Barbie, which was released on the same day and has earned over $1.4 billion worldwide. However, some fans coined the term “Barbenheimer” to encourage moviegoers to watch both films in a double feature.
Oppenheimer’s Critical Acclaim
Oppenheimer has also received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike, who praised Nolan’s direction, Murphy’s performance, and the film’s depiction of the moral and ethical dilemmas faced by Oppenheimer and his team. The film has a 94% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 368 reviews, with an average rating of 8.7/10. The website’s critics consensus reads: “Oppenheimer is a masterful biopic that explores the complex and controversial legacy of one of history’s most influential scientists.”
The film has also been widely recognized by various awards bodies, winning four Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director, six BAFTAs, including Best Film and Best Actor for Murphy, and three Golden Globes, including Best Motion Picture – Drama and Best Director. The film also won the People’s Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival, where it had its world premiere.
Oppenheimer’s Cultural Impact
Oppenheimer has not only been a commercial and critical success, but also a cultural phenomenon that has sparked renewed interest and debate about the life and work of J. Robert Oppenheimer, who is widely regarded as the “father of the atomic bomb”. The film portrays Oppenheimer as a brilliant but flawed genius who was haunted by his role in creating the most destructive weapon in human history.
The film also features an ensemble cast of other notable figures involved in the Manhattan Project, such as David L Hill (Rami Malek), Enrico Fermi (Robert Downey Jr.), Leo Szilard (Matt Damon), Edward Teller (Josh Hartnett), Leslie Groves (Emily Blunt), and Richard Feynman (David Krumholtz). The film is based on the book American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Biography or Autobiography in 2006.
Oppenheimer is widely considered as one of Nolan’s best films, and one of the best films of 2023. It is a cinematic masterpiece that offers a fascinating and compelling portrait of a man who changed the course of history.
