The world premiere of Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer in Paris has sparked a wave of positive reactions from critics. After a nearly three-hour screening, reviewers are applauding Cillian Murphy’s performance and hailing the film as “awe-inspiring,” “staggering,” and a “spectacular achievement.” Matt Maytum, editor of Total Film, expressed his astonishment, describing Murphy’s performance as “sublime.” He further commended the film, stating, “It is an epic historical drama with a distinct Nolan sensibility, showcasing tension, structure, a sense of scale, startling sound design, and remarkable visuals. Wow.”
Jonathan Dean from The Sunday Times was completely immersed in the film, considering it “a dense, talkie, tense film partly about the bomb, mostly about how doomed we are.” He praised Murphy’s acting but also highlighted the essential contributions of Damon, Downey Jr., and Ehrenreich, who brought humor to the story. Dean deemed the film audacious, inventive, and complex, determined to captivate its audience. However, he did raise concerns about the underrepresentation of women in the cast, noting that Emily Blunt’s character only briefly transcended the typical stressed mother role. Despite this, Dean ranked Oppenheimer among Nolan’s top three films, alongside Memento and The Prestige.
Bilge Ebiri of Vulture took to Twitter to express his awe, stating, “OPPENHEIMER is…incredible. The word that keeps coming to mind is ‘fearsome.’ A relentlessly paced, insanely detailed, intricate historical drama that builds and builds and builds until Nolan brings the hammer down in the most astonishing, shattering way.”
Lindsey Bahr, film writer for the Associated Press, hailed Oppenheimer as a “spectacular achievement.” She described the film as a serious, philosophical, and adult drama, comparing its tension and excitement to that of Dunkirk. Bahr also emphasized the impact of a particular moment in the film, calling it awe-inspiring.
Steven Weintraub, editor-in-chief of Collider, expressed his admiration for Oppenheimer, stating, “The film is incredible.” He highlighted every aspect of the production, from the brilliant performances to the amazing work of cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema. Weintraub praised Nolan’s storytelling, noting that the three-hour runtime felt brisk. He also recommended watching it in IMAX 70mm for an enhanced experience.
Jeremy Mathai of Slash Film was in awe of Oppenheimer, describing it as “staggering in every sense of the word.” He acknowledged that it might sound surprising to attribute such praise to a Nolan film that is not Inception, Dunkirk, or even Tenet. However, Mathai believed that Oppenheimer could be Nolan’s most daring work to date, attributing its success to its sharp script, impeccable sound design, and the commanding performance by Cillian Murphy.
Oppenheimer is set to release in theaters on July 21, featuring a star-studded cast including Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., Florence Pugh, Josh Hartnett, Casey Affleck, Rami Malek, and Kenneth Branagh, among others. With its captivating performances, intricate storytelling, and impressive visuals, Oppenheimer promises to be a cinematic masterpiece that will leave audiences in awe.