Oppenheimer

In 1945, the Manhattan Project culminates with the successful testing of the first atomic bomb at Los Alamos. J. Robert Oppenheimer, the project's director, views this moment as a significant scientific achievement, marking a turning point in warfare.

Following the successful test, key decisions regarding the atomic bomb's deployment are taken from Oppenheimer and his fellow scientists. President Harry S. Truman orders the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, disregarding Oppenheimer's call for prior discussion with Stalin.

Truman’s decision to bomb Japan escalates tensions with the Soviet Union, leading Oppenheimer to argue that these events sparked the onset of the nuclear arms race. His initial hopes for peaceful post-war negotiations begin to dissipate.

Despite receiving accolades, Oppenheimer is plagued by guilt from the destruction caused by the atomic bomb. In a tense meeting with Truman, he expresses his remorse, but Truman firmly defends his own accountability for the bomb's use.

Rear Admiral Lewis Strauss, a member of the Atomic Energy Commission, becomes a primary antagonist in Oppenheimer's life. Tensions rise as Strauss opposes Oppenheimer's influence over nuclear policies and begins to question his loyalty after being rebuffed publicly.

As the Cold War intensifies, the AEC's interest in developing a hydrogen bomb grows. Oppenheimer argues against the hydrogen bomb due to its technical challenges, advocating instead for international control over nuclear arsenals.

Despite Oppenheimer’s warnings regarding the dangers of pursuing a hydrogen bomb, Truman ultimately approves its development. This decision further isolates Oppenheimer from the AEC and strengthens Strauss's resolve against him.

In 1954, Strauss orchestrates a private hearing to evaluate Oppenheimer's security clearances, a move seen as an attempt to undermine him. The proceedings are rife with bias, leading to Oppenheimer's clearance being rescinded, which devastates his reputation.

The hearing is dominated by manipulation and the actions of Roger Robb, who is appointed as special counsel. While Robb has full access to Oppenheimer's security files, Oppenheimer's legal team finds themselves at a disadvantage, further skewing the outcome.

In 1959, Strauss faces accusations regarding his motivations for Oppenheimer's public disgrace during his Senate confirmation hearing for the Secretary of Commerce. The fallout from these allegations leads to a Senate vote against Strauss's nomination.

In 1963, President Lyndon B. Johnson gives Oppenheimer the Enrico Fermi Award, signaling a notable shift in public perception towards him. This award also represents a degree of redemption for Oppenheimer after years of vilification.

In reflective flashbacks, Oppenheimer engages in a pivotal conversation with Albert Einstein. This discussion reveals Oppenheimer's ongoing belief that their scientific advancements have created a precarious future marked by the threat of nuclear destruction.