Oppenheimer, the epic film directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Cillian Murphy as the nuclear physicist J Robert Oppenheimer, dominated the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) 2024, winning seven out of 13 nominations. The film, which chronicles Oppenheimer’s role in the development of the atomic bomb and his subsequent moral dilemma, received accolades for best picture, best director, best actor, best supporting actor, best cinematography, best editing, and best original score.

Nolan’s First BAFTA

Nolan, who is widely regarded as one of the most influential and successful British filmmakers of the century, finally won his first BAFTA award, after being nominated eight times before. He received the best director trophy from Hugh Grant, who praised him for his “vision, ambition, and technical mastery”. Nolan thanked his cast and crew, especially his producer and wife Emma Thomas, and dedicated the award to Oppenheimer and his colleagues, who he said “showed us the necessity and potential of efforts for peace”.

Murphy and Downey Jr. Shine

Cillian Murphy, who portrayed Oppenheimer with a nuanced and captivating performance, won the best actor award, beating contenders like Leonardo DiCaprio, Denzel Washington, and Benedict Cumberbatch. Murphy expressed his gratitude to Nolan for the “extraordinary, exhilarating script” and for “always pushing me”. He also acknowledged the “incredible” work of his co-star Robert Downey Jr., who played Lewis Strauss, a political rival of Oppenheimer. Downey Jr. won the best supporting actor award, his first BAFTA in 30 years. He delivered a brief but witty speech, saying “I’m not going to lie, this feels pretty good”.

Technical Excellence of Oppenheimer

Oppenheimer also impressed the BAFTA voters with its technical aspects, winning awards for best cinematography, best editing, and best original score. The film, which was shot entirely in IMAX format, showcased stunning visuals of the historical events and locations, such as the Trinity test site, the Los Alamos laboratory, and the White House. The editing, done by Jennifer Lame, seamlessly blended the scenes and transitions, creating a coherent and engaging narrative. The original score, composed by Ludwig Göransson, enhanced the mood and atmosphere of the film, with a mix of orchestral and electronic sounds.

Other Winners

Oppenheimer was not the only film that received recognition at the BAFTAs 2024. Poor Things, a steampunk fantasy directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and starring Emma Stone as a woman with the brain of a child, won five awards, including best actress for Stone, who thanked her mother in her speech. The Zone of Interest, a radical drama directed by Jonathan Glazer and set in Auschwitz, won three awards, including best sound, outstanding British film, and best film not in the English language. The latter award was a surprise, as the film was made by a British production team, with a German cast, and shot in Poland.

The BAFTAs 2024, which were held in London on Sunday, February 18, celebrated the best of British and international cinema, with a diverse and talented array of nominees and winners. Oppenheimer, however, emerged as the clear frontrunner, cementing its position as a strong contender for the upcoming Oscars, where it is also nominated for 13 awards. The film, which has been praised by critics and audiences alike, is a testament to Nolan’s artistic vision and cinematic prowess, as well as to the complex and fascinating life of Oppenheimer, the father of the atomic bomb.