The documentary delves into the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the brilliant physicist who led the Manhattan Project, the top-secret World War II mission that developed the first atomic bomb. Through rare archival footage, interviews with historians and scientists, and dramatic reenactments, the film explores how Oppenheimer's unbridled ambition led him to take on such a massive and dangerous project, even as he struggled with his own demons and doubts.
As the Manhattan Project raced to completion, Oppenheimer became increasingly aware of the devastating potential of the bomb he was helping to create. He struggled with the moral implications of his work, and eventually became a vocal opponent of nuclear weapons. But by then, the damage was done. The atomic bomb had been dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing hundreds of thousands of people and changing the face of warfare forever.
In the aftermath of the bombings, Oppenheimer's attempts to limit the spread of nuclear weapons brought him into conflict with the U.S. government, which accused him of communist sympathies and stripped him of his security clearance. The documentary explores the personal toll this took on Oppenheimer, as he became a pariah in the scientific community and a shadow of his former self.
Through Oppenheimer's story, the film raises questions about the role of science in society, the ethical implications of technological advancements, and the dangers of unchecked ambition. It is a gripping portrait of a complex and flawed genius who changed the course of history, for better and for worse.