Christopher Nolan dedicated significant time to forewarning audiences about the conclusion of "Oppenheimer." He emphasized that it would be a deeply disturbing experience, leaving people speechless and emotionally devastated. Nolan likened the film to a horror story, delving into the profound consequences of human actions, particularly in the context of Oppenheimer's involvement with the development of the atomic bomb.

The final scenes of the movie are the culmination of the existential dread that has been building throughout the narrative. We witness Oppenheimer, portrayed by Cillian Murphy, grappling with the immense power of the bomb and how it shook him out of his intellectual detachment. The film then expands its focus to encompass the impact of this monumental event on the world and the future of humanity.

The latter half of the film explores Lewis Strauss, played by Robert Downey Jr., pondering what Oppenheimer said to Albert Einstein (Tom Conti) that caused Einstein to distance himself. However, in the end, it becomes evident that the scientists' thoughts were consumed by something much more significant, leaving Strauss irrelevant to their concerns.

Einstein confronts Oppenheimer, reminding him that he must now bear the weight of the consequences of his achievements, a burden that will persist even as public opinion shifts. The film flashes forward to a scene at the White House, where Oppenheimer receives the Enrico Fermi Prize, but it remains uncertain whether it is a glimpse of the future, a dream, or a fantasy. Kitty Oppenheimer remains resentful of those who turned against her husband, and Einstein warns Oppenheimer that any praise he receives will not be for his benefit, but for others to ease their own consciences.

Oppenheimer asks Einstein if they ever discussed the possibility of triggering a global nuclear war with an atomic explosion, and he acknowledges that they did. This revelation is followed by a dreamlike sequence of nuclear explosions around the world, emphasizing the threat of all-out nuclear war and the seemingly unstoppable descent into destruction.

The film's structure follows two narrative tracks, "fission" and "fusion." "Fission" focuses on the young Oppenheimer's journey from his university days to the Manhattan Project, while "fusion" centers on Strauss' confirmation hearing. The meeting point of these tracks symbolizes Oppenheimer's dual concerns: the decision to build the bomb and the ethical dilemma of whether it should be used.

Nolan's intention with the film was to explore the delayed consequences of historical events, and "Oppenheimer" portrays the enduring impact of the atomic bomb on humanity's collective consciousness. It serves as a vivid reminder of the irreversible consequences of scientific discoveries and human actions, akin to a fire that perpetually feeds on itself.

"Oppenheimer" is currently being screened in theaters.