Like its dominance over the global box office during the 2023 summer, Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer has also been storming this award season, garnering several wins under its cabinet. And with the Cillian Murphy-led film leading this year’s Oscars with 13 nominations, it’s reasonable to assume its triumphant ran will continue in the 96th Academy Awards.
But while most agree that it was one of the best of 2023, which is saying a lot considering how great last year was in terms of movies, some weren’t thrilled by the s-x scene present in the film. And while Nolan clarified why it was important, the sentiment of it being unnecessary remains among some.
Fans Are Still Conflicted About Oppenheimer’s S-X Scene and Whether It Was Necessary or Not
With Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan delved into an unknown territory as it involved his filmography’s first s-x scene, between Cillian Murphy and Florence Pugh. However, some felt that the entire sequence was completely unnecessary, claiming it didn’t contribute to the narrative. But many expressed otherwise, as even though it didn’t add anything to the plot, it was thematically extremely important as it symbolized Oppenheimer’s openness and vulnerability in front of Jean Tatlock.
I watched it. And it was unnecessary.
— David Hanrahan (@Dav_Hanrahan) February 29, 2024
That scene added absolutely nothing to the story. It was 100% unnecessary
— Billy (@aggiebilly) February 29, 2024
and what exactly does knowing about jean tatlock do for the story?
— Karun Sagar (@karunsagar15) February 29, 2024
Not really. It’s a visual representation that Jean Tatlock is the only person Oppenheimer can bare his soul to.
— Shannon Nutt (@ShannonNutt) February 29, 2024
Symbolizes his openness and vulnerability with Jean versus the emotional distance with Kitty. Which is used in the same way but turned on its head in the interrogation, now being seen from Kitty’s perspective. Not narratively important, but thematically extremely important
— Jack Example (@imnotnumber4) February 29, 2024
thank you! i’m so sick of people saying “iTs A mOvIe AbOuT tHe AtoMiC bOmB”
um no it’s literally called Oppenheimer. it’s about Oppenheimer.
— Paige Sardo (@mspaigers) February 29, 2024
If you have to explain it that means it wasn’t well done
— Poor Ellie (@poor_ellie) February 29, 2024
Christopher Nolan did come to the s-x scene’s defense previously, explaining why he added the sequence and how it played into the Cillian Murphy-led film’s story.
Christopher Nolan on Why the S-X Scene in Cillian Murphy’s Oppenheimer Was Essential
Apart from being a brilliant physicist, Cillian Murphy‘s Oppenheimer also had his way with women, as he engaged in some notable affairs despite being married to Kitty, especially with Jean. Following the impact of Jean on Oppenheimer’s life, Nolan expressed that showcasing the intimate bond between them was essential, as her communist ties“had enormous ramifications for his later life and his ultimate fate”. Nolan said (via Business Insider),
“When you look at Oppenheimer’s life and you look at his story, that aspect of his life, the aspect of his sexuality, his way with women, the charm that he exuded, it’s an essential part of his story… It felt very important to understand their relationship and to really see inside it and understand what made it tick without being coy or allusive about it, but to try to be intimate, to try and be in there with him and fully understand the relationship that was so important to him,”
But considering this was new ground for the director, as the Cillian Murphy-led film involved Nolan’s filmography’s first s-x scene, Nolan expressed he was appropriately nervous while approaching it.
“Any time you’re challenging yourself to work in areas you haven’t worked in before, you should be appropriately nervous and appropriately careful and planned and prepared,”
It’s safe to say while some are still conflicted about the scene, the film deserves every accolade it’s receiving, as it excelled in every aspect whether it’s technical or direction.
Oppenheimer is available to stream on Peacock.
