Does the cast of the ‘Oppenheimer’ movie truly think it’s terrifying?

Are you ready for a cinematic rollercoaster? There’s an atomic explosion of anticipation building for this summer’s behemoth blockbuster, Oppenheimer. With stiff competition from Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, Oppenheimer, a biopic about the life and times of atomic bomb creator J. Robert Oppenheimer, promises to be an emotional journey that will leave you questioning the ethical fabric of humanity.

Let’s take a look at the trailer, the cast, and how the movie itself seems set to cast the rest of social media into a deep pocket of sobering remembrance. 

Atomic bombshell

While this movie is set to be a historical epic, early viewers have reported an unexpectedly visceral experience. Oppenheimer is proving to be more than just a slice of history. 

According to an early account by director Christopher Nolan, viewers have had such intense emotional reactions that some have been left unable to speak. Another fellow filmmaker, while remaining anonymous, even likened the experience to a horror movie.

Though these early reactions may be seen through the rose-tinted glasses of Nolan himself, the intensity of viewers’ responses can’t be ignored. It seems that the film, filmed partially at Berkeley where Oppenheimer was a professor, is successfully channeling the eeriness of its historical context.

The film doesn’t shy away from the catastrophic aftermath of Oppenheimer’s scientific discovery. People leave the movie devastated, Nolan revealed in an interview with Wired. He argues that while fear is a pervasive element in the film, due to the terrifying historical reality, the depiction of the characters and their relationships are some of the most impactful he’s ever done. What does the cast think? We have to wait a while longer.

Biographer’s eyes

Adding further validation to Nolan’s statements, Oppenheimer’s biographer Kai Bird, who wrote the book that served as the source material for the film, shared his own emotional journey after viewing the movie. He admitted to being stunned and needed time to emotionally recover, painting a vivid picture of the profound impact the film has on its audience.

Nolan asserts that Oppenheimer is not a film that offers easy answers. The story of Robert Oppenheimer is laden with impossible questions, ethical dilemmas, and paradoxes, all of which make the narrative extremely compelling. It forces the viewer to confront difficult questions and leave the theatre with these questions echoing in their minds.

The cast is nothing short of a who’s who. Starring Cillian Murphy in the titular role, with Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., Florence Pugh and many more in supporting roles, Oppenheimer is a star-studded spectacle. 

The actors bring to life the drama of Oppenheimer’s journey and the cataclysmic consequences of his discovery. The film is set to be Nolan’s first R-rated release since 2002’s Insomnia and is due to open in theaters on July 21, from Universal Pictures.

Lights and atoms

UC Berkeley transformed into a hub of Hollywood magic as filming for Oppenheimer took place. The campus, which was once the teaching ground for Oppenheimer himself, was buzzing with activity as the production unfolded. From elaborate set dressing to extras lounging in World War II-era costumes, the film brought a slice of history to life in the heart of the campus.

Filming primarily took place up Campanile Way, leading to the LeConte Hall, Oppenheimer’s old stomping ground. Even the main library and Wheeler Hall got a facelift with new lampposts for the occasion. With the filming wrapped up and the campus returning to its usual rhythm, the anticipation for Oppenheimer is only growing.

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