Before a packed Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, Oppenheimer was declared the big winner of the 96th Academy Awards.
The film, which explores the period when Dr. Robert Oppenheimer developed the atomic bomb project during World War II, took home seven awards that night, including Best Picture and Best Director for Christopher Nolan.
After years of overlooking one of Hollywood’s most prominent filmmakers, the Oscars made up for lost time by awarding seven prizes to Nolan’s successful biopic, including Best Actor for Cillian Murphy, Best Supporting Actor for Robert Downey Jr., and Best Director for Nolan.
By crowning “Oppenheimer,” the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences did something it hadn’t done in over a decade: award its top prize to a big-budget, widely seen studio film.
In an industry where a cape, a dinosaur, or Tom Cruise have often been box-office staples, *Oppenheimer* drew crowds to theaters with a complex, fission-filled drama about J. Robert Oppenheimer and the creation of the atomic bomb.
“For better or worse, we all live in Robert Oppenheimer’s world,” Murphy said in his acceptance speech. “I’d like to dedicate this to the peacemakers.”
Cillian Murphy for Best Actor, Robert Downey Jr. for Best Supporting Actor, Hoyte van Hoytema for Best Cinematography, Jennifer Lame for Best Film Editing, and Ludwig Göransson for Best Original Score completed the list of winners for the Legendary Pictures and Universal film.
Behind *Oppenheimer* was *Poor Things*, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, which won four awards during the ceremony hosted by Jimmy Kimmel.
Emma Stone took home the Oscar for Best Actress, her second win after earning the award in 2017 for *La La Land*.
*Poor Things* also won for Best Costume Design, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, and Best Production Design.
*The Zone of Interest* also earned recognition, winning Best International Feature Film and Best Sound Editing.
Though *Barbie* didn’t take home major awards, the film inspired by the world’s most famous doll won Best Original Song for *What I Was Made For?*, composed by Billie Eilish.
Image: Marca
