Oppenheimer’s End Explained: “Oppenheimer” is a film written and directed by Christopher Nolan that follows the life of the physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, portrayed by Cillian Murphy, during several decades, including his involvement in the development of the atomic bomb, which was later exploded on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during the Second World War.

The film also explores the hearings initiated by Lewis Strauss, which led to the revocation of Oppenheimer’s security clearance.

The end of “Oppenheimer” leaves the audience pondering a profound question posed by Oppenheimer’s wife, Kitty: Can the world ever forgive Oppenheimer for his central role in the creation of the atomic bomb and the destruction it caused?

The film ends with a central scene between Oppenheimer and the famous physicist Albert Einstein.

The scene takes place after Oppenheimer’s hearing, where security clearance was taken and Strauss’ appointment to the Senate was denied. As the film ends, witness Oppenheimer imagine the disastrous destruction that nuclear war would bring to the world.

The implication is that Oppenheimer bears the weight of his actions and the potential consequences of his scientific contributions.

Therefore, the conclusion of the film emphasizes the moral and moral dilemmas faced by scientists involved in the development of destructive technologies.

It also raises questions about forgiveness, responsibility, and the wider impact of scientific discoveries on humanity. Continue reading this article to know more about the ending of the movie.

Recap Of The Oppenheimer Movie

The film follows Lewis Strauss who had a personal grudge against J. Robert Oppenheimer because of a past incident where Oppenheimer cheated on him during a hearing on radioisotopes.

This animosity prompted Strauss to take action, fearing that Oppenheimer’s influence on government decisions about nuclear weapons, especially his opposition to their risks, would persist if he headed the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC).

Christopher Nolan effectively portrayed the push-pull dynamic between the two through parallel hearings, showing their conflicting views.

Although Strauss succeeded in derailing Oppenheimer’s career, he failed to secure his own cabinet position because of opposition from other scientists and the Democratic Party, including John F. Kennedy, who later played a role in rehabilitating Oppenheimer’s reputation.

The hearings also revealed Oppenheimer’s change of heart towards nuclear weapons, opposing the hydrogen bomb and favoring nuclear peace. However, he didn’t regret his involvement in building the atomic bomb, considering it a necessary assignment.

In the end, he chose to leave his past alliances with the Communist party and seek forgiveness for his role in the creation of the atomic bomb, hoping to preserve his security clearance, despite his wife Kitty urging him to fight back.

The Oppenheimer End Explained: What Happened In The End?

At the end of “Oppenheimer,” we witness a disturbing portrait of the destruction caused by nuclear war.

The final scene shows Oppenheimer pondering the devastating consequences of nuclear war on Earth, a consequence of the creation of the atomic bomb.

His mind struggles with the catastrophic impact and the realization that it could be much worse.

At the same time, Oppenheimer observes raindrops falling on a pond, evoking a parallel with the opening scene of the film. This juxtaposition seems to indicate that the quantum world, with its tiny but impactful raindrop-like atoms, mirrors the large-scale destruction caused by nuclear explosions.

The film draws a poignant connection between Oppenheimer’s creation of the atomic bomb, born of his own fears as a young man, and the resulting global horror. It serves as a reminder that the atomic bomb was only the starting point of potential devastation.

What Happened In The End?

After the revocation of his security clearance, J. Robert Oppenheimer made the decision to retire from public life and moved with his family to San Juan in the Virgin Islands.

Despite the setback, he continued to lecture and have become more and more vocal about the responsible use of scientific inventions and the potential threats they posed to the world.

Together with Albert Einstein and other scientists, Oppenheimer founded the World Academy of Arts and Sciences. In 1947, he assumed the role of director at Princeton’s Institute for Advanced Study.

He is also the author of a book that expresses his concern about the intersection of science and politics, which incorporates his lectures in its content.

However, because of the fallout from the security hearing, he refrained from openly opposing nuclear weapons as some of his colleagues did. During this period, Oppenheimer remained dedicated to discussing science, but his political influence was greatly reduced.

However, in 1963, he was awarded the Enrico Fermi Award, which recognizes his significant contributions during World War II, a recognition that President John F. Kennedy actively supported. Unfortunately, Oppenheimer’s health declined, and he succumbed to throat cancer in February 1967.

Thus, throughout his life, Oppenheimer never stopped engaging in scientific discussions, but the taint from the security hearing had a profound impact on his ability to exert influence, shaping the trajectory of his remaining days.

Despite this, his legacy remained, leaving an enduring impact on the scientific community and the world.