A ‘masterpiece’ war movie that won seven Oscars is now streaming for free just as it prepares to leave Netflix’s library.
Christopher Nolan’s epic period drama Oppenheimer was added to the streaming giant’s platform earlier this year. However, time is running out for subscribers to catch the title before it leaves the service.
Originally released in cinemas back in 2023, the title card on the platform currently states that it will be removed after January 11. Thankfully though, it was just added to the BBC iPlayer, meaning viewers can now watch it for themselves at no extra cost. However, it is not currently known how long it will be made available on the broadcaster’s platform.
Set during World War II, the film retells historic events as Lt. Gen. Leslie Groves Jr. appoints physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer to work on the top-secret Manhattan Project. Oppenheimer and a team of scientists spend years developing and designing the atomic bomb.
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Cillian Murphy picked up the Best Actor Oscar for the film(Image: Universal Pictures)
Their work comes to fruition on July 16, 1945, as they witness the world’s first nuclear explosion, forever changing the course of history. The film explores Oppenheimer’s intense scientific ambition, moral dilemmas, and the geopolitical fallout, ultimately focusing on his complex legacy, the ethical burden of creating a world-altering weapon, and the subsequent political scrutiny he faced.
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The all-star cast includes Peaky Blinders star Cillian Murphy in the titular role, alongside Emily Blunt as his wife Kitty Oppenheimer. Joining them are Florence Pugh as psychiatrist Jean Tatlock and Matt Damon as General Groves Jr.
Also appearing are Robert Downey Jr., Rami Malek, Casey Affleck, Jason Clarke, Josh Hartnett and Kenneth Branagh to name a few. Writer and director Nolan based the film on the book American Prometheus by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin.
It was a massive critical and commercial success bringing in around $975 million at the box office against a budget of $100 million. Not only that but it recorded a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and dominated the 2024 Oscars, taking home seven statuettes. These wins included Best Picture, Director, Actor, Supporting Actor, Cinematography, Film Editing and Score.
Now with its addition on BBC iPlayer, it is the best time for fans to rediscover the title or for those who have still yet to see it, to finally find out what all the fuss is about.
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Fans claim it is the best film Nolan has ever made(Image: Universal)
As one critic claimed: “Oppenheimer is a stunning masterpiece that keeps its audience engaged for the entirety of its seemingly daunting runtime, despite its heavy subject matter.”
Another penned: “Christopher Nolan’s latest is also his best-ever film. Fully at the height of his large-format artistic powers, he crafts a towering and monumental achievement that is highly difficult to watch but continuously thrilling.”
Fans are still full or praise for the film as they were when it released. One, sharing their thoughts online, posted: “A TRUE MASTERPIECE. This is cinema at the absolute peak of it’s powers. It is terrifyingly, hauntingly beautiful.”
Another added: “Oppenheimer is matter-of-fact the best biopic film in history. Christopher Nolan is known to be the director who doesn’t shy away from a challenge and he has said time and again that making Oppenheimer was the most challenging project he has ever taken on.”
While someone else claimed: “The best film of 2023! Christopher Nolan has done it again with his latest release. Oppenheimer is a mind bending epic biopic of the father of the Atom bomb. This star studded movie showcases some amazing Oscar worthy performances from all of it’s leads with Cillian Murphy, Roberty Downey Jr., and Emily Blunt. Even The movie was breathtaking and such an important film to see in this day in age. Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer gets a perfect 5 out of 5 for me. Also I would rank it as one of Nolan’s best films ever!”
Many suggest that it is an important film for all audiences to experience, as one person said: “A brilliant, haunting masterpiece. The film is a masterful blend of historical drama and psychological thriller, exploring the ethical dilemmas and the immense burden carried by those who forged one of history’s most destructive weapons. Nolan’s direction is impeccable, weaving a narrative that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally gripping.
