Los Angeles: Oscar-winning director James Cameron has sharply criticized Oppenheimer, calling the blockbuster film “morally weak” for downplaying the human cost of the atomic bomb. In an interview with Deadline, Cameron said Christopher Nolan’s 2023 hit avoided showing the suffering of the real victims.
Cameron, best known for Titanic and Avatar, confirmed he is working on his film about the atomic bomb. While he praised Nolan’s filmmaking, he said the film failed morally. “I love the filmmaking,” Cameron noted, “but it was a bit of a moral cop out.”
He pointed out that Oppenheimer only briefly referenced the devastation in Japan. “There’s one brief moment with charred bodies,” he said, “and then the film just moves on.” Cameron questioned whether the omission was a studio decision or Nolan’s choice, but added, “I want to go straight at the third rail.”
The 70-year-old filmmaker clarified that his project will confront the issue head-on. Oppenheimer, which was released on July 21, 2023, has earned over $950 million globally. Cameron’s comments reignite the debate over filmmakers’ responsibility when portraying real-world tragedies.
