Cillian Murphy gives a career-defining performance in Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan’s exceptional new feature about the physicist who led the charge in creating an atomic bomb to end World War II. Murphy takes the titular character from his young years studying physics to spearheading a world-altering effort to create a deadly weapon with the Manhattan Project. Set mostly in Los Alamos, New Mexico, Nolan brings his realist reputation to a work of historical fiction that is as riveting as any of his other features, if not moreso.

Nolan and Murphy have a long history of working together on profound story-telling, but they take their filmmaking relationship to new heights in this three-hour epic, shot entirely on IMAX cameras. The pair are known for the Batman trilogy, “Dunkirk” and other iconic titles in the Nolan filmography (Inception, Transcendence). But of all there is to admire about Oppenehimer, which finally hits theaters July 21 after much anticipation from avid cinephiles, the writing is distinct and set vastly apart from Nolan’s other works. While the visuals are stunning, the cast outstanding, and the practical effects admirable, it is the story of Oppenheimer that will likely be most gripping to members of the audience – and audiences are expected to turn out in droves this weekend, as the feature premieres alongside the equally-anticipated Barbie from Warner Brothers Studios.

Nolan expertly crafts a riveting narrative that is forced to balance personal politics, global warfare and complex scientific ideas. Oppenheimer’s transformation from physics professor to devoted government worker is at the focal point of Nolan’s feature. But as the Los Alamos portion of the Manhattan Project is depicted as resting entirely on Oppenheimer’s shoulders, the success of this excellent film ultimately comes down to Murphy’s ability to portray the physicist’s deep intellect, complex personal life and the emotional aftermath of creating a deadly, destructive weapon. While the Irish actor created an indelibly unique character with his role as Thomas Shelby on six seasons of Peaky Blinders, this performance stands out as his best. 

The supporting cast also provide excellent scaffolding to the film’s structure, which can sometimes be as dizzying and confusing as this period of American history likely was for those who lived through it. Florence Pugh is always memorable, this time as Oppenheimer’s conflicted love interest and communist party member Jean Tatlock. Emily Blunt is headstrong – and plays one of the most believable onscreen drunks in recent memory – as Kitty Oppenheimer, whose third act testimony before a biased security committee is guaranteed to be included in Blunt’s career highlight reel. Matt Damon, Robert Downey, Jr., Rami Malek and more round out the extraordinary cast in this likely awards season contender.

In widespread press interviews before the SAG-AFTRA strike, cast members often made reference to the fact that Nolan wrote the Oppenheimer script in the first person. The story is told almost exclusively through the scientist’s eyes. While it easily could have been a stodgy, stilted chronological film, Nolan pushes in and makes it as heart-pounding and fascinating as any of his dark superhero films or mind-bending dramas. Because of its true relevance to world history and importance to a possible revival of the cineplex industry, its importance is unparalleled in the entertainment industry in the year 2023. Put simply, Oppenheimer is a must-see.