Salesmen of science: A textual analysis of technological advancement and quantum physics in <i>Oppenheimer</i> (2023)

The film <i>Oppenheimer</i> (2023) portrayed the Manhattan Project, which led to the first atomic bombs, and its aftermath. Shown through the eyes of Director J. Robert Oppenheimer, the film takes us through the scientific, political, and personal struggles of a wide array of characters during a time period that profoundly changed the landscape of the world. Through the film, the viewer learns not only about the Manhattan Project, but also about the quantum science underlying the atomic bomb, as well as the personal and political tensions that were intertwined with its development. Thus, the following article conducted a textual analysis to identify the ways in which the film portrays developments in quantum technologies. Three themes arose regarding the portrayals of development and key concepts in quantum physics. Broad implications are drawn for developments in quantum theory/mechanics and public development and understanding of science in general.