Cillian Murphy Defends Sex Scenes in Oppenheimer, Calling Them “Vital” to the Story

Cillian Murphy Defends Oppenheimer’s Intimate Scenes as Crucial to the Storyline

Cillian Murphy, known for his role in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, has come forward to defend the inclusion of sex scenes in the film.

According to the actor, these intimate moments were “vital” to the overall narrative of the Hollywood blockbuster.

The movie revolves around the life of American scientist J Robert Oppenheimer and his significant contribution to the development of the atomic bomb during World War II.

Alongside the portrayal of Oppenheimer’s scientific endeavors, the feature film delves into the personal aspects of the nuclear scientist’s life.

One notable element explored is his extramarital affair with psychiatrist and physician Jean Tatlock, played by Florence Pugh, while he was still married to Katherine “Kitty” Puening, portrayed by Emily Blunt.

Addressing the discussions and opinions surrounding the sex scenes, Murphy emphasized their importance to the movie’s storyline.

Although he admitted that filming such scenes can be incredibly awkward, he believes they play a crucial role in depicting the emotional dynamics of the characters.

Christopher Nolan, the director of Oppenheimer, also expressed agreement with Murphy’s stance on the intimate scenes.

He believes that exploring Oppenheimer’s sexuality and relationships, including his charm with women like Jean Tatlock, is integral to understanding the scientist’s complete story.

Despite the defense of the intimate portrayals, the film faced controversy in India for quoting a sacred Hindu text during one of the sex scenes.

In this particular scene, Cillian Murphy’s character recites a famous line from the Bhagavad Gita after being intimate with Florence Pugh’s character, Jean Tatlock.

The phrase, “Now I am become death, destroyer of worlds,” was reportedly recalled by Oppenheimer himself when witnessing the detonation of the first atomic bomb he had developed on July 16, 1945.

The use of the sacred text in the scene sparked outrage among officials in the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, who considered it a direct assault on the religious beliefs of Hindus.

This controversy has added another layer of discussion surrounding the film and its portrayal of historical events and personal aspects of Oppenheimer’s life.