The 10 Best ‘Oppenheimer’ Characters, Ranked

Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan’s newest film, has been lauded by viewers and critics alike for its outstanding portrayal of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the brilliant physicist behind the creation of the atomic bomb. Critics praised the realistic cinematography, eloquent script, and performances given by the massive cast.

With a cast full of Oscar winners and nominees, some questioned whether the gargantuan cast was too overwhelming. However, each member played their role, big or small, to perfection. Whether it was Cillian Murphy’s grand performance as the titular character or Casey Affleck’s daunting one-scene appearance, the Oppenheimer cast brought a plethora of brilliant characters to life. The best character in Oppenheimer might be the protagonist, but many other figures in the film are just as fascinating and complex.

10 Roger Robb

Played by Jason Clarke

Roger Robb served as special counsel for the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) in their successful attempt at revoking Oppenheimer’s security clearance. His insistent line of questioning created a claustrophobic feeling in the interrogation room, making him one of the best characters in the film.

Through his ruthless, apathetic demeanor, Robb not only served as an adversary to Oppenheimer but also as an aid in Nolan’s storytelling. As Robb grilled Oppenheimer with questions about his past, Oppenheimer was forced to revisit his memories, triumphs, and failures that led him to the moment. The brilliant Jason Clarke creates a riveting antagonist in Roger Robb, despite revealing next to nothing about who he is outside the interrogation room.

9 Jean Tatlock

Played by Florence Pugh

Although she had limited screen time, Florence Pugh‘s Jean Tatlock showed the audience an alternate side of Oppenheimer as his former mistress. Tatlock was a member of the Communist Party, and her exuberant personality made her a fascinating foil to her lover.

Her steamy scenes with Oppenheimer, although not universally well received, showed the audience the passion and intimacy between the two individuals. Nolan draws similarities between Oppenheimer’s vulnerability with Jean, and that which he is forced to face during his interrogation. Tatlock’s stubborn mindset made her both appealing to Oppenheimer and fascinating to the audience, and she is among the most important characters in the movie despite her fairly brief screen time.

8 Isidor Rabi

Played by David Krumholtz

Isidor Rabi provided a sense of comic relief and righteousness in the amoral world of physics, by remaining a dear friend to Oppenheimer while not relinquishing his morality by participating in the Manhattan Project. Rabi first meets Oppenheimer at a conference in the Netherlands, where he shares a moment with the physicist through their shared Jewish-American identities.

Rabi is a force for kindness and support in Oppenheimer’s life. Actions like offering Oppenheimer food at several points during the story and remaining by his side despite their often contrarian views on the future of physics help cement him as one of the best characters in the film.

7 David Hill

Played by Rami Malek

Despite having less than ten minutes of screen time in a movie that’s 180 minutes long, David Hill plays one of the most integral roles in Oppenheimer. Hill, a physicist from Chicago, encounters Oppenheimer briefly to discuss petitioning against the use of atomic weapons, but is quickly dismissed.

However, Hill can arguably be seen as one of the heroes in Oppenheimer, as he puts aside his ego to incriminate Lewis Strauss, much to the shock of the audience. As he delivers a cathartic monologue to the court, viewers see a new side to him. The magnetic Rami Malek does the most with his limited role, turning Hill into one of the story’s unsung forces for change. If only he had more development, he might rank higher among the film’s greatest characters.

6 Albert Einstein

Played by Tom Conti

Perhaps the smartest man ever, Albert Einstein had a big impact on the creation of the atomic bomb, inspiring Oppenheimer’s work. Einstein is involved in some of the most integral parts of the story, including the pivotal and impactful final scene. Einstein’s monologue at the end contains some of Oppenheimer‘s best quotes, strengthening the film’s themes of destruction, legacy, and regret.

This version of Einstein, older and wiser, is concerned about the implications of potentially dangerous scientific discoveries. Einstein is the embodiment of Oppenheimer’s most thought-provoking ideas, with Nolan using the genius’ legendary reputation to make complex concepts easier for his audience to understand.

5 Edward Teller

Played by Bennie Safdie

The co-director of Uncut Gems and Good Time, Bennie Safdie, surprised audience members by putting on a convincing performance as Hungarian physicist Edward Teller. Teller, a member of the Manhattan Project, was keen to research additional information on nuclear weaponry despite Oppenheimer’s objections.

Teller’s character arc parallels the obsession with discovery that is seen in a young Oppenheimer as he delves further into the world of nuclear physics. His actions lead to a conflict with Oppenheimer regarding the morality of atomic weapons, effectively turning him into one of the film’s antagonists. Teller is a fascinating and complex character, and a morally gray figure who could’ve used more screen time.

4 Leslie Groves

Played by Matt Damon

Matt Damon‘s Lieutenant General Leslie Groves serves as one of Oppenheimer’s closest allies. Groves, a military officer for the United States of America government, worked closely with Oppenheimer in the development of the Manhattan Project, granting him security clearance and aiding in the construction of Los Alamos.

The relationship between the lieutenant and the physicist grows as they work together, ending with Groves’ positive testimony for Oppenheimer during the hearings. His confrontational yet humble approach to the Manhattan Project benefited many physicists and scientists. In many ways, Groves is an audience substitute, realizing the importance of Oppenheimer’s work without understanding the minutiae. He is also among the most historically accurate characters in Oppenheimer, cementing his place among the film’s best players.

3 Kitty Oppenheimer

Played by Emily Blunt

As opposed to her passive husband, Kitty Oppenheimer is combative, decisive, and outspoken. She strays away from the typical maternal trope in favor of a more flawed individual who struggles with postpartum depression. Kitty’s volatile personality can be seen as unlikeable in the beginning. However, the film allows her more depth, leading to arguably the most cathartic scene as she retorts against Roger Robb during Oppenheimer’s investigation.

Witty, strong-minded, and more than a little chaotic, Kitty is arguably Oppenheimer’s most likable character, largely thanks to the mighty Emily Blunt. She might not have much to do, but Kitty is instantly memorable and striking. From her facial expressions to her quick-witted clapbacks, Kitty is one of the best characters in Oppenheimer.

2 Lewis Strauss

Played by Robert Downey Jr.

The primary antagonist in Oppenheimer, Lewis Strauss, is among Christopher Nolan’s best characters. Strauss, the jealous senior United States Atomic Energy Commission officer, betrays Oppenheimer after being ridiculed during a meeting on the exports of isotopes because he felt Oppenheimer had turned Einstein against him. Using his corrupt practices, Strauss divulged a plan alongside other enemies of Oppenheimer to discredit him.

Using the narrative power of black-and-white, Nolan turns Strauss into an eerie, menacing icon of male fragility and insecurity. The character allows Robert Downey Jr. to deliver his best performance in years, further contributing to his legacy. Strauss is a major reason behind Oppenheimer’s success, serving as a worthy foe to the titular character and a reminder of the dangers of unchecked power and corruption.

1 J. Robert Oppenheimer

Played by Cillian Murphy

With a career-defining performance as the titular character, Cillian Murphy brings the thoughts, fears, and triumphs of Robert Oppenheimer to life from a first-person perspective. Through the multiple instances of non-verbal acting, viewers become entranced by Oppenheimer’s character as well as his different conflicts — both internal and external.

Starting as a timid yet pompous student and transforming into an individual stricken with grief after facilitating countless atrocities, Oppenheimer displays the most growth throughout the film. The film is a character study on a tainted legacy and the repercussions of misguided genius, and Oppenheimer is at the center of it all. Thought-provoking and even heartbreaking, Oppenheimer excels as a modern tragedy thanks to its fascinating and complicated titular character.

Oppenheimer is available to stream on Peacock in the U.S.

WATCH ON PEACOCK

NEXT: The 10 Best Supporting Performances in ‘Oppenheimer,’ Ranked