Oppenheimer set for lukewarm reception in Japan after ‘Barbieheimer’ backlash

The award-winning film Oppenheimer will finally be screened in Japanese cinemas starting from March 29, although many do not expect the film to fare well at the country’s box office given that it focuses on the man responsible for the creation of the weapon used to destroy the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Nationalists have also expressed concern that director Christopher Nolan’s biopic does not condemn the decision to drop the first atomic bombs as a war crime.

The film received wide release in July 2023 but, given its controversial nature in Japan, no release date for the country was initially set.

In a statement announcing the coming release, local distribution company Bitter Ends said, “We decided to release this film in Japan after much debate and deliberation, as the themes covered in this film are ones that hold a very significant and special meaning for us as Japanese people.”

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‘Oppenheimer’ sparks debate in Japan ahead of 78-year anniversary of Hiroshima atomic bombing

The anger over the earlier promotional faux pas may have faded, but the film is still expected to get a lukewarm welcome.

“As a fan of [director] Chris Nolan’s work, I am honestly happy that the film will be released in Japan,” said a commenter in response to an analysis of Oppenheimer by film critic and author Hiroki Higashi in the Bungei Shunju magazine.

But others expressed anger at the release of the title.

“To the Japanese, Oppenheimer is nothing more than a devil. It is foolish to release a movie like this in Japan,” a user said. “Don’t let young people think of him as an American hero who ended World War II and saved Japan! He simply targeted Japan and conducted human experiments in Hiroshima and Nagasaki because he wanted to know the power