Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer (2023) makes for an event blockbuster viewing through its use of conventional Hollywood storytelling techniques, visual effects, and cinematic excess. The film relies on these specific Hollywood filmic elements to convey J. Robert Oppenheimer's development of the atomic bomb. In addition, they are used to convey his security hearing and complex, yet romantic relationships with psychiatrist Jean Tatlock and his wife, Kitty Oppenheimer. The use of cinematic excess in the film is an attempt to articulate the importance of the atomic bomb's construction. For example, during a montage sequence that involves Oppenheimer lecturing, the film intercuts between the blackboard and the students observing the lesson, with expressions of concentration and concern on their faces. This editing technique fills in for the scientific research and dialogue that would be expressed in a lecture, but, instead, Nolan uses filmic techniques to spoon-feed the importance of Oppenheimer's scientific discovery and the potential catastrophic repercussions that could occur if the project fails, ultimately fast-forwarding the development process. The use of montage editing is used as a lazy filmic and storytelling technique to allow the audience to witness the action quickly, and creates an opportunity for Nolan to bluff his way through one of the most important scientific projects throughout history, which the filmmaker decided to do.

The non-linear narrative structural technique sets Nolan apart from traditional Hollywood studio filmmakers. In fact, the Oppenheimer director possesses his own personal vision and filmmaking style with the use of this storytelling technique among various other filmmaking methods, such as using practical effects for set pieces and twist endings. The atomic bomb explosion set piece is an impressive feat for any film crew to accomplish. However, cinematically, it is extremely underwhelming. Ignoring the fact that audiences knew what the film was leading to, and could only be surprised by the explosion through stylistic editing, Nolan takes what is a successful practical effect, and undermines it in the blink of an eye on screen. The Hollywood stars in this film are utilised as a marketing technique to entice audiences who are not only seeking an event experience, but who are familiar with actors such as Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon, and Emily Blunt, from each of their renowned franchise roles. Although this is the least concerning aspect of the picture, as Nolan works within a Hollywood system that relies on the star system to market their commercial studio products. Ultimately, for a thorough and extensive educational experience on the construction of the atomic bomb, a documentary on this specific topic would be worth watching over a Hollywood dramatization that fails to challenge cinematic forms and techniques as well as obtain artistic substance.