Oppenheimer, the summer blockbuster that has garnered 13 Oscar nominations at this year’s Academy Awards, has captivated audiences with its riveting portrayal of J. Robert Oppenheimer’s race to build the atomic bomb during World War II. However, there’s one scene in the film that many viewers may have overlooked, but it could change the way you view some of the historical characters.
Based on the book American Prometheus by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin, Oppenheimer delves into the personal struggles of the renowned physicist as he navigates his work and relationships. A pivotal moment in the film revolves around the death of Jean Tatlock, a romantic interest of Oppenheimer’s who was a member of the Communist Party in the 1930s.
Tatlock’s death, portrayed in a two-second scene in the movie, has sparked theories that she may have been murdered by the FBI due to her potential knowledge of nuclear secrets. The film subtly hints at this conspiracy theory through a brief moment that shows two black-gloved hands holding Tatlock down in a bathtub as she struggles.
This scene stands out in Oppenheimer for several reasons, including the fact that it is the only time the audience is shown outside of Oppenheimer’s perspective in a color sequence. Director Christopher Nolan’s deliberate choice to include this moment sheds light on the complexities of Tatlock’s demise and raises questions about the circumstances surrounding her death.
As the film continues to garner critical acclaim and Oscar buzz, the scene depicting Tatlock’s death offers a glimpse into a darker, more mysterious aspect of Oppenheimer’s story that may have gone unnoticed by many viewers.