Oppenheimer
One of the most mouth - about element of Christopher Nolan ’s challenging biopicOppenheimeris its mavin - stud mould , with each of the actors roleplay a real - living character . Set during the height of the Second World War , Oppenheimerrecreates the events that lead to the creation of the first nuclear bomb and its tumultuous backwash . While Cillian Murphy leads the pack as the titular scientist , the visually spectacular heroic poem involves many multi - faceted characters . J. Robert Oppenheimer ’s equal and legendary scientist like Albert Einstein make it to the ensemble , along with some of the close people in his life , such as his married woman Katherine Oppenheimer and former romantic partner Jean Tatlock .
TheOppenheimertrue story is incomplete without the Manhattan Project , the closelipped American military undertaking that involved the creation of a whole new settlement while testing out the atomic bomb . So , naturally , many actual military figures associated with the Project also get their fairish share of concealment time inOppenheimer . But considering its three - hour - runtime and high-flown historical scale leaf , Oppenheimerdoesn’t throttle its namesake ’s life to just his scientific creation . A major glob of the narrative also dabbles in Oppenheimer ’s sound troubles because of his political affiliations . Hence , theOppenheimercharacter ensemble becomes concluded with the improver of legal and bureaucratic thespian .
Cillian Murphy As J. Robert Oppenheimer
TheOppenheimercast is steered by Cillian Murphy , who work the titulary protagonist , a gifted American scientist who his government phone upon to devise the most destructive artillery known to humankind . Facing mental dilemmas of his own , Oppenheimer took anti - war position after the bomband was even put on test for his political associations . Murphy antecedently collaborated with Christopher Nolan to flirt the derange pharmaceutical chemist Dr. Jonathan Crane a.k.a . Scarecrow inThe Dark Knighttrilogy , the emotionally inept business empire heritor Robert Fischer inInceptionand an nameless shell - shocked soldier inDunkirk . Murphy is also known for play the gallant gangster Thomas Shelby inPeaky Blinders .
Emily Blunt As Katherine “Kitty” Oppenheimer
Emily Blunt underpin Cillian Murphy as Oppenheimer ’s wife , Kitty . However , the real Kitty stands out on her own as a biologist , botanist and a appendage of the Communist Party ( a political alignment that put her in danger during the era of McCarthyism ) . She stayed with Oppenheimer for over two decades until his demise in 1967 . Blunt has previously dabbled in the biopic genre with persona like Queen Catherine Howard in the miniseriesHenry VIIIand Queen Victoria inThe Young Victoria . She is also known for her Erolia minutilla as the survivalist mother , Evelyn Abbott , inA Quiet Placemovies , the sec of which also featured Cillian Murphy .
Matt Damon As Leslie Groves
The United States Army policeman who served as the chief director of Projector Manhattan is the one who convinced Oppenheimer to get involved in the top - secret operation . Groves was win over that Oppenheimer ’s work would help reduce the Second World War ’s continuance and bring American soldiers back home . The decorated veteran is play by Matt Damon , who is no alien to play veridical - life figures on screen . The Oscar success previously played race car driver - turned - automobile couturier Carroll Shelby inFord v Ferrari , South African rugby player François Pienaar inInvictus , mediaeval French knight Jean de Carrouges inThe Last Dueland Nike marketing executive director Sonny Vaccaro inAir .
Robert Downey Jr. As Lewis Strauss
Oppenheimerswitches between color and monochromeformats , with the black - and - blanched scenes focalize on the security sense of hearing conducted by the United States Atomic Energy Commission . This honored trunk was once head by Robert Downey Jr’sOppenheimercharacter Lewis Strauss , who revoked Oppenheimer ’s security department clearance . It ’s for this determination that he ’s usually seen as a villainous figure in American account . Downey previously paddle in the biopic genre as slapstick fable Charlie Chaplin in the biopicChaplin . He is otherwise popularly known for his lead roles as the armored Avenger Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the Victorian - era police detective Sherlock Holmes in the titular franchise .
Florence Pugh As Jean Tatlock
A head-shrinker and member of the Communist Party , Jean Tatlock is the other major woman with whom Oppenheimer was romantically associated . The age gap between the two personalities has not exactly elderly well , see Jean was a student , and Oppenheimer was her professor when they began seeing each other . Florence Pugh joins theOppenheimercast to play the tragical figure . The Oscar nominee has played similarly broken and roiled characters in the past , such as the young March sibling Amy inLittle Womenand grieving psychological science student Dani inMidsommar . She is also associated with the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the highly - trained undercover agent and assassin Yelena Belova .
Josh Hartnett As Ernest Lawrence
Nobel Prize winner and the inventor of the cyclotron , physicist Ernest Lawrence and Oppenheimer ’s friendship dates back to their days as researchers at Berkeley . When it derive to the Manhattan Project , Lawrence was mainly involved in the appendage of extracting enriched uranium . TheOppenheimercast expand upon its star king with Josh Hartnett play the part . While Hartnett run a wartime scientist this time , he antecedently played soldier likePearl Harbor ’s World War II armed combat cowcatcher Danny Walker andBlack Hawk Down ’s Matthew Eversmann , a U.S. Army Staff Sergeant stationed in combat - struck Somalia . His period of time theatrical role also admit the charming sharpshooter Ethan Chandler in the horror dramatic play seriesPenny dire .
Casey Affleck As Boris Pash
Casey Affleck star inOppenheimeras U.S. military intelligence agency officer Boris Pash who notably commanded the Alsos Mission . This American - British military operation sought to detect foeman scientific developments during the Second World War . While Oppenheimer marks Affleck ’s first collaboration with Christopher Nolan , he frequently appeared alongside his fellow roll member Matt Damon in picture like theOcean’strilogy , Good Will HuntingandInterstellar . Manchester By The Seawon Casey Affleckan Oscar for his performance as depressed janitor Lee Chandler . His other prominent role admit American outlaw Robert Ford inThe Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Fordand duteous private investigator Patrick Kenzie inGone Baby Gone .
Rami Malek As David Hill
David Hill was one of the physicist who accompanied Oppenheimer at the Los Alamos Laboratory , even though not much is known about him compared to the movie ’s other real - life figure of speech . The character is portrayed by Rami Malek , a prominent cheek in the biopic genre , give his Oscar - deliver the goods turn as the former Queen frontman Freddie Mercury inBohemian Rhapsody . Malek also take in an Emmy for playing the paranoid computer hacker Elliot Alderson inMr . Robot . He unite the James Bond franchise as the vengeance - seeking alliance villainLyutsifer Safin inNo Time To Die . He also starred in theNight at the Museumtrilogy as ancient Egyptian Pharaoh Ahkmenrah .
Kenneth Branagh As Niels Bohr
Niels Bohr is one of the most celebrated modern scientists , thanks to his Nobel Prize - advance contributions to understanding atomic construction and quantum theory . Oppenheimer held the Danish physicist in high regard , and as Nolan ’s moving picture suggests , Bohr was also an occasional mentor to the American . Bohr is played in the movie by frequent Nolan collaborator Kenneth Branagh who previously act the antagonistic Russian oligarch Andrei Sator inTenetand the heroical naval Commander Bolton inDunkirk . The Oscar - winning director and film writer also played other real - lifetime figure like actor Laurence Olivier inMy Week With Marilynand American President Franklin D. Roosevelt inWarm Springs .
Oppenheimer Supporting Cast & Characters
Benny Safdie as Edward Teller : Benny Safdie joins theOppenheimercast as Hungarian - American physicist Edward Teller who is widely regard as the “ father of the Hydrogen bomb . ” Safdie is an realised director with his brother Josh Safdie , together with directingGood TimeandUncut Gems . He also played Robert Pattinson ’s on - screen sidekick Nick Nikas inGood Time .
Dylan Arnold as Frank Oppenheimer : American particle physicist Frank Oppenheimer was J. Robert Oppenheimer ’s younger blood brother . Before playing his part inOppenheimer , Dylan Arnold come along in college studentTheo Engler inYouseason 3and troubled teenager Cameron Elam in 2018’sHalloweenand its sequelHalloween Kills .
Gustaf Skarsgård as Hans Bethe : TheOppenheimercharacter ensemble has no deficit of Nobel laureates , with Hans Bethe being one of them . The German - American theoretical physicist was straits of the Theoretical Division at the Los Alamos lab . He is spiel by Gustaf Skarsgård , get it on for playing the wizard Merlin inCursedand the shipbuilder Floki inVikings .
David Krumholtz as Isidor Isaac Rabi : The physicist Isidor Isaac Rabi was a longtime friend of Oppenheimer ’s but refused to make for with him on Manhattan Project . He is wager by David Krumholtz , who present the numerical hotshot Charlie Eppes inNumb3rsand the reclusive cyber-terrorist Mr. Universe inSerenity .
Matthew Modine as Vannevar Bush : Vannevar Bush was not just a gifted engineer and scientist but also a science administrator , see over the induction of Manhattan Project . He is play by Matthew Modine , who also look inFull Metal Jacketas disillusioned Vietnam War soldier Private Joker and inStranger Thingsas the villainous scientist Dr. Martin Brenner .
David Dastmalchian as William L. Borden : An American lawyer who ardently impeach Oppenheimer of being a Soviet factor , William L Borden was one of Oppenheimer ’s staunchest critics . He is play by David Dastmalchian who previously collaborated with Nolan as one of the Joker ’s minions Thomas Schiff inThe Dark Knight . Dastmalchian also has an unbelievable superhero recordappearing in legion comic record book attribute , such as playing the Polka - Dot Man inThe Suicide Squadand the necromancer Abra Kadabara in theFlashseries .
Michael Angarano as Robert Serber : Robert Serber was one of the many physicists who were take in the Manhattan Project . He is played by Michael Angarano , who go out inSky Highin which he act the superhero freshman William " Will " Theodore Stronghold . He also star alongside martial arts legends Jackie Chan and Jet Li inThe Forbidden Kingdomas high - schooler and kung fu cinema aficionado Jason Tripitikas .
Jack Quaid as Richard Feynman : TheOppenheimercast also includesThe Boysstar Jack Quaid , who plays theoretical physicist Richard Feynman . The charming scientist was also a public figure observe his interest in Los Alamos . He is portrayed by Jack Quaid , who stars inThe Boysas the soft - mannered vigilante Hughie Campbell , and voices Superman inMy Adventures with Superman .
Tom Conti as Albert Einstein : The fabled physicist Albert Einstein carry diverge purview from Oppenheimer when it came to atomic weapons , but the two continue to hold a nigh friendly relationship . Tom Conti act Einstein inOppenheimer . The Scots theater veteran was nominated for an Oscar for his depiction of a writers ’ occlusion - struck poet Gowan McLand inReuben , Reuben .
Josh Peck as Kenneth Bainbridge : The Director of Manhattan Project ’s monolithic Trinity nuclear test ( that led to the first - ever explosion of a nuclear arm ) , Kenneth Bainbridge is play by Josh Peck , who is best known for playing the persevering schoolhouse scholarly person Josh Nichols inDrake and Josh .
Olivia Thirlby as Lilli Hornig : Feminist activist and Manhattan Project scientist Lilli Hornig also come along inOppenheimer , play by Olivia Thirlby . She antecedently played the titulary champion ’s protagonist Leah inJunoand dystopian practice of law enforcer Judge Anderson inDredd .
Dane DeHaan as Kenneth Nichols : Kenneth Nichols was a civil railroad engineer who also worked on the Manhattan Project and played a fundamental role in the sound proceedings against Oppenheimer . He is flirt by Dane DeHaan , who has played morally hoary quality like the supervillain Green Goblin / Harry Osborn inThe Amazing Spider - Man 2and the superpowered teen Andrew Detmer inChronicle .
Danny Deferrari as Enrico Fermi : AsOppenheimerfeatures the greatest atomic scientists , it ’s not surprising that even Enrico Fermi makes an appearance . The Italian - American scientist is for the most part assign behind the world ’s first atomic nuclear reactor . He is portray by Danny Deferrari , who antecedently star inShiva Babyas the admirer ’s sugar daddy Max .
Alden Ehrenreich as a Senate auxiliary : One of the aides to the Senate Committee trying Oppenheimer is played by Alden Ehrenreich , who is otherwise known for starring inSoloas a younger interpretation of theStar Warsspace bounty Orion Han Solo .
Jefferson Hall as Haakon Chevalier : Haakon Chevalier befriended Oppenheimer during their pedantic tenures at Berkeley . But unlike Oppenheimer ’s other peer , Chevalier was not a scientist but a author and Gallic literature professor . Jefferson Hall joins theOppenheimercast to play the academic . Jefferson Hall is alone for appear in bothGame of Thronesand its spin - offHouse of the Dragon . He depict theLannister twins inHouse of the Dragon , preceded by a abbreviated character as the horse Hugh of Vale inGame of Thrones .
Jason Clarke as Roger Robb : The special guidance to Oppenheimer ’s hearing , Jason Clarke plays Roger Robb . The New Zealand indigen play the Resistance drawing card - turn - Terminator John Connor inTerminator Genisysand American astronaut Ed White inFirst Man .
James D’Arcy as Patrick Blackett : British observational physicist Patrick Blackett was one of Oppenheimer ’s early advisers . He is played by James D’Arcy , who antecedently collaborated with Nolan inDunkirkas World War II - era soldier Colonel Winnant .
Tony Goldwyn as Gordon Gray : Government functionary Gordon Gray chair a committee that recommended revoking Oppenheimer ’s security clearance in the 1950s . The controversial lawgiver is play by Tony Goldwyn , who appear as Richard Nixon ’s chum Harold in the biopicNixonand the astronaut Neil Armstrong in the miniseriesFrom the Earth to the Moon .
Devon Bostick as Seth Neddermeyer : Seth Neddermeyer was a visionary in nuclear physics , throw his accent on implosion - type atomic bomb while go on Manhattan Project . The scientist is played by Devon Bostick , who played the bullying elder brother Rodrick in the firstthreeDiary of a Wimpy Kidmoviesand the post - apocalyptic jejune overdue Jasper inThe 100 .
Alex Wolff as Luis Walter Alvarez : Experimental physicist Luis Alvarez was involved in the Manhattan Project to design explosive lenses . Before his Erolia minutilla on theOppenheimercast as Alvarez , Alex Wolff starred inHereditaryas the traumatized 16 - yr - honest-to-goodness Peter Graham .
Josh Zuckerman as Giovanni Rossi Lomanitz : A protege of Oppenheimer ’s from his clock time at Berkeley , Giovanni Rossi Lomanitz was one of the many physicists involve in the Manhattan Project . Josh Zuckerman ’s role include the titular protagonist in the liven series , It ’s Pony , and the series head Naomi Clark ’s making love interest group Max Miller in90210 .
Matthias Schweighöfer as Werner Heisenberg : A open up name in quantum physics , Nobel Prize victor Werner Heisenberg is dally by Matthias Schweighöfer . The German actor and filmmaker is known for playing mastermind thief Ludwig Dieter inArmy of the Deadand its prequelArmy of Thieves .
Emma Dumont as Jackie Oppenheimer : Oppenheimer ’s sis - in - law and an active phallus of the Young Communist League , Jackie Oppenheimer , is play by Emma Dumont . The American actress - model - terpsichorean is best known for playing the magnetism - controlling mutantPolaris in theX - Menspin - offThe Gifted .
Christopher Denham as Klaus Fuch : German theoretical physicist , Klaus Fuch , was a Soviet spy who supplied of the essence data on the Manhattan Project to the Soviet Union after the Second World War . He is play by Christopher Denham , who appeared inArgoas real - life U.S. diplomatist Mark Lijek .
David Rysdahl as Donald Hornig : One of the men behind the cookery of the Manhattan Project ’s Trinity Test , Donald Horning , is portray by David Rysdahl . He antecedently starred inNine Daysas Mike , a human being trapped in a purgatory - like kingdom , and inNo Exitas kidnapping suspect Lars .
Gary Oldman as Harry S. Truman : The American President Harry S. Truman took over presidential duties from Franklin D. Roosevelt after the Second World War and continued his term during Oppenheimer ’s trials . The crucial political image is played by Gary Oldman , who reunites with Nolan after playing the committed law officerJim Gordon in hisDark Knighttrilogy . TheOppenheimercast phallus has dabbled in similar biographic roles before winning an Oscar for playing UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill inDarkest Hour .
