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Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer is an epic biopic about the man who helped America develop the atomic bomb and end WWII. As one would expect, Nolan delivers stunning visuals–especially with anything involving the imaginings and realities of the atomic detonations. However, because he’s generally considered one of the best directors working today, Nolan gives us more than just exquisite cinematography. He also does a fine job at balancing the historical and personal aspects of Oppenheimer’s story while providing both a gripping thriller and a thought-provoking character study.

To be honest, Christopher Nolan is not always a given for me. There have been several of his films that I would consider a “miss.” And with Oppenheimer clocking in at three hours, I had grave concerns, specifically when taking into account that I was seeing it on the big screen and not just in my living room. I’m happy to report that even at three hours long, the film never felt slow or remotely boring. I attribute this to Nolan’s fast-paced editing which resulted in one scene leading to the next at dizzying speed. This kept me engaged and on the edge of my seat throughout the film.

Of course, it helps to fill your cast with those oozing charisma, and Cillian Murphy (Red Eye, Batman Begins) certainly provided that as he gave a tour-de-force performance as Oppenheimer. He brought a depth of soul and complexity to the role that was truly remarkable. Murphy’s expressive eyes particularly conveyed the full range of emotions that Oppenheimer experienced from the excitement of scientific discovery to the horror of nuclear destruction.

Speaking of charisma, Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man, Sherlock Holmes) also gave a memorable performance as Lewis Strauss, the chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission. Downey was perfectly cast as Strauss and his character proved a nice change of pace from Downey’s other popular roles. I don’t want to spoil much, but audiences expect a certain “vibe” from Downey, and Nolan definitely played with that.

Now let’s discuss the primary supporting cast: Emily Blunt (Mary Poppins Returns, Quiet Place), Matt Damon (The Martian, Good Will Hunting), and Florence Pugh (Little Women, Black Widow). Blunt is heartbreaking as Oppenheimer’s wife, Kitty, who struggles to come to terms with her husband’s work on the bomb as well as her own personal demons. Blunt normally wins our hearts with just a wink at the camera, but I personally never quite decided if I liked her or not, which I think is genius work from someone like Blunt who is so incredibly likable. Damon plays General Leslie Groves, the military leader who oversees the Manhattan Project and operates as something close to a friend of Oppenheimer. Their relationship is complex, and Murphy and Damon delivered that complexity nimbly. As always, Pugh is terrific. In this film she plays Jean Tatlock, a complicated woman with a complicated relationship to Oppenheimer. She is gentle yet severe, innocent yet unscrupulous, genius yet naïve. She is the perfect compliment to Oppenheimer and also the perfect foil. I find Pugh daring in all she does, and Jean continued Pugh’s creative push.

If you need proof that Nolan has the acting community’s attention, let me throw some names at you of folks who took even lesser supporting roles in Oppenheimer: Kenneth Branagh, Josh Hartnett, Casey Affleck, Rami Malek, Dane DeHaan, Alden Ehrenreich, Jack Quaid, Jason Clarke, and Gary Oldman.

My only complaint about Oppenheimer is the the same complaint I usually have about Nolan’s movies: his depiction of women. In many of his films women have little agency or depth, and they are either largely absent or serve as little more than plot devices to advance the male protagonist’s story. Oppenheimer could easily be accused of this as well. I would like to see Nolan evolve in this regard.

Overall, Oppenheimer is a strong film that is sure to be counted among his best. Nolan has crafted a complex and nuanced portrait of a man who was both a genius and a tragic figure while still adhering to matters of historical fact. I would consider it a must-see for anyone interested in history, science, or the human condition.