Few films in recent years have sparked as much conversation as Christopher Nolan’s latest historical epic, which has now landed on Apple TV for subscribers to stream at home.
The release brings one of the most talked-about cinema experiences of the past decade onto the small screen, offering audiences another chance to absorb its staggering storytelling and visuals.
Oppenheimer is Nolan’s three-hour retelling of the life and legacy of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the physicist often described as the “father of the atomic bomb.”
Anchored by Cillian Murphy in the title role, the story charts Oppenheimer’s rise through the scientific world, his leadership of the Manhattan Project during World War II, and the devastating consequences of his work. Told in shifting timelines, the drama blends courtroom testimony, personal turmoil and the race to build the bomb.
Murphy’s performance has been singled out by fans and critics alike as the heart of the film. On Rotten Tomatoes, one viewer praised how he “displays such a great array of feelings and emotions so well,” capturing both the brilliance of the scientist and the crushing weight of his conscience.
Robert Downey Jr. also earned acclaim for his role as Lewis Strauss, with fans describing the two central performances as the film’s “greatest aspects.”
The film’s structure adds to its impact, moving between colour and black-and-white sequences to distinguish perspectives and timelines. “The decision to have parts of the movie in black and white and parts in color makes it so you never question where you are as the movie jumps around,” one review observed, noting how the approach helps viewers navigate its complex, non-linear narrative.
Beyond the storytelling, audiences have continued to marvel at the scale of the visuals and sound. “The cinematography was absolutely incredible and made you feel just how big a deal the subject matter was,” wrote one fan.
Another went further, calling it “an incredible work of pure genius. Every decade a film comes along, and changes how we think about the past, present and future.”
The reaction since its release has placed Oppenheimer among Nolan’s most celebrated films. One admirer summarised it simply: “There’s few movies that come close to total perfection, but this is one of them. The production is second to none, the cinematography is to die for…”
Oppenheimer is now available to stream on Apple TV and Netflix.