Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer debuted to spectacular box-office numbers and universal acclaim, receiving an impressive 13 Oscar nominations. The film chronicles the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, including his involvement in leading Project Manhattan and his subsequent fall from grace orchestrated by Lewis Strauss. The plot also pays considerable attention to Oppenheimer’s communist ties and his mental state, especially as he reconciles his work’s legacy and the role he played in launching the nuclear age.
COLLIDER VIDEO OF THE DAY
SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT
Cillian Murphy stars as Oppenheimer, leading an astoundingly large supporting cast, including Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Florence Pugh, and Robert Downey Jr. However, Oppenheimer also has an impressive parade of cameos, from familiar Nolan collaborators to new and unexpected faces. These interventions complement and enrich Oppenheimer’s world, and while most are just one-scene cameos, others have a little more to do.
Oppenheimer
The story of American scientist, J. Robert Oppenheimer, and his role in the development of the atomic bomb.
Release Date July 21, 2023
Runtime 180 minutes
8 Richard Feynman
Played by Jack Quaid
Image via Universal Pictures
Although Jack Quaid appears in several scenes in Oppenheimer, his role remains small compared to others. The actor from The Boys plays Richard Feynman, a theoretical physicist known for his significant contributions to the development of quantum electrodynamics, which earned him the 1965 Nobel Prize in Physics alongside two others. In the film, as in real life, Feynman is part of the Manhattan Project, recruited by Oppenheimer and Leslie Groves at Princeton.
The talented Jack Quaid shares an eerie physical similarity to the real Feynman, making his small but memorable portrayal more striking. Quaid is seen playing the bongos several times throughout Oppenheimer, a hobby the real Feynman was famous for indulging in. It’s hard to classify his role in the film as a cameo, especially since he has several lines and interacts with many major characters. However, considering the cast’s sheer size, Quaid’s intervention meets nearly every criterion.
7 Kenneth Bainbridge
Played by Josh Peck
Image via Universal Pictures
Who would’ve thought Josh from Drake & Josh would one day play a pivotal role in one of the best Christopher Nolan movies? Josh Peck plays Kenneth Bainbridge, a physicist at Harvard and the director of the Manhattan Project’s Trinity test. Peck’s most memorable scene in Oppenheimer is precisely the test, where he is in charge of aborting should anything go wrong. Peck does a stellar job capturing the scene’s tension, contributing greatly to its success.
The real Bainbridge dedicated his life after the Manhattan Project to ending the testing of nuclear weapons. The film doesn’t deal with this, limiting his participation to the stressful and unforgettable Trinity test scene. Considering Oppenheimer is a critique of the bomb’s destruction, it would’ve been nice to see more of Bainbridge’s real-life advocacy, especially with such strong pro-nuclear figures in the film, mainly Benny Safdie’s Edward Teller.
6 Vannevar Bush
Played by Matthew Modine
Image via Universal Pictures
80s icon Matthew Modine is no stranger to working with Christopher Nolan. The actor played a major supporting role in The Dark Knight Rises before reuniting with the director for Oppenheimer. Modine plays Vannevar Bush, head of the US Office of Scientific Research and Development. Modine elevates the already strict plot, enhancing the scenes in which he appears.
Modine has a few scenes in the film, so the word “cameo” doesn’t exactly fit his participation; however, much like Quaid, his intervention is relatively small considering the sheer size of Oppenheimer’s cast. Vannevar Bush was an important figure before and after the Manhattan Project, especially regarding discussions about where to drop the bomb and developing the hydrogen bomb. Modine is a reliable presence, making Bush memorable without pulling focus from other players.
5 Patrick Blackett
Played by James D’Arcy
Image via Universal Pictures
Petulant English characters easily steal whichever scene they’re in, especially if a revered and recognizable character actor like James D’Arcy is playing them. The underrated actor appears in Oppenheimer as Patrick Blackett, the titular character’s tutor at the Cavendish Laboratory in Cambridge. A Nobel Prize winner, Patrick Blackett contributed significantly to cloud chambers, cosmic rays, and paleomagnetism research.
D’Arcy plays Blackett as an antagonistic presence in Oppenheimer, openly criticizing the titular character while mentoring him. He is later against Oppneheimer’s work in the Manhattan Project, although his participation is limited to only two scenes at the film’s beginning. The ever-reliable yet severely underrated D’Arcy makes a strong impression in Oppenheimer despite his limited screen time. It’s a nearly perfect cameo, with D’Arcy doing the uttermost with his few lines, creating a striking antagonist with just two scenes.
4 Henry Stimson
Played by James Remar
Image via Universal Pictures
Oppenheimer’s large cast is perfect for giving underrated working actors their dues. Such is the case for the underappreciated James Remar, who plays Henry Stimson, the US Secretary of War who oversaw the American military efforts during World War II. Remar’s big scene comes near the end of the second act, as every major player in the Manhattan Project gathers to discuss possible targets for the bomb. Stimson claims he removed Kyoto because of its historical meaning for the Japanese before adding it’s also where he and his wife honeymooned.
The scene is a chilling and sobering reminder of how world leaders play with human lives on a daily basis and a confirmation that Oppenheimer is as much a brilliant war movie as it’s a thought-provoking biopic. Remar’s delivery is stellar, bringing a carefree tone to what is a life-or-death discussion. The actor’s intervention is short but utterly impactful and ultimately unforgettable. He is one of Oppenheimer’s most memorable players, a true testament to Remar’s talent.
3 Boris Pash
Played by Casey Affleck
Image via Universal Pictures
Academy Award winner Casey Affleck first worked with Christopher Nolan in 2014’s Interstellar. He reunites with the acclaimed director in Oppenheimer, playing Boris Pash, a US Army military intelligence officer and the commander of the Alsos Mission in charge of discovering enemy scientific developments. Affleck shares a memorably tense scene with Cillian Murphy, where his character questions Oppenheimer about possible spies. He later returns for a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it scene where he testifies against Oppenheimer during his security hearing.
Affleck is the definition of a great celebrity cameo, leaving a lasting impression despite having mere minutes of screen time. His now-famous quiet voice works perfectly with Pash’s cold and clinical approach, perfectly complementing Murphy’s understated approach to playing Oppenheimer. Affleck’s approach results in an intimidating and unnerving character that embodies the military’s damaging influence in Oppenherimer’s world.
2 President Harry S. Truman
Played by Gary Oldman
Image via Universal Pictures
Gary Oldman is one of Christopher Nolan’s usual collaborators, appearing as Commissioner Gordon in all three Dark Knight films. The Oscar winner reunites with the prolific director for Oppenheimer, doing an unforgettable cameo as President Harry S. Truman. The scene involves an exchange between Oppenheimer and Truman, where the former expresses his regrets over the bomb’s creation. Truman coldly dismisses him, going so far as to call him a “crybaby.”
Buried under piles of make-up yet still recognizable, Oldman is disquieting and intimidating as Truman. There’s no trace of Oldman’s popular over-the-top antics; instead, the actor goes for a quiet and controlling approach that makes his performance all the more disturbing. Oppenheimer is a pretty clear indictment of nuclear weapons and research, and the Truman scene might be its most effective portrayal of these pressing and vital themes.
1 David L. Hill
Played by Rami Malek
Image via Universal Pictures
Another Oscar winner has a brief but pivotal role in Oppenheimer. Rami Malek plays David L. Hill, a nuclear physicist and the head of the Federation of American Scientists. Hill is best remembered for his 1959 testimony against Lewis Strauss’ nomination to become Secretary of Commerce. His declarations about Strauss’ involvement in Oppenheimer’s fall from grace all but bury the former’s chances at the position, leading to the infamous reputation Strauss holds today.
Nolan effectively uses Malek’s distinctive eerie presence for his narrative purposes. Hill appears in two scenes before his big testimony, staying silent but standing out due to Malek’s trademark aura. When his big speech finally comes, it’s a cathartic moment for the audience, bringing the film to a crescendo of emotions that beautifully tie every major plot point together. Malek effectively carries Oppenheimer’s climax and does so admirably, giving what is arguably his best performance since Mr. Robot.
Oppenheimer is available to stream on Peacock.
Watch on Peacock
NEXT: 10 Historical Figures in ‘Oppenheimer,’ Ranked by Accuracy