Christopher Nolan, after the huge success of Oppenheimer, revealed that he wishes to explore more of the horror genre in the upcoming years.
During an interview with the British Film Institute, Nolan expressed his confidence in his ability to handle the horror elements of the film. The renowned director drew a parallel to Oppenheimer, highlighting the unsettling moments that followed the Manhattan Team’s successful creation of the atomic weapon. This conversation took place at BFI on Thursday, where Nolan engaged with the audience and delved into the diverse film techniques employed throughout his career. Notably, he explored aspects such as writing, directing, and cinematography, using examples from The Batman Trilogy and Inception.
Weighing Upon Oppenheimer’s Horror Elements
During a discussion with the BFI panel, Nolan responded to a query regarding the horror aspects in Oppenheimer. He expressed, “Undoubtedly, Oppenheimer incorporates elements of horror, which I believe suit the subject matter perfectly. The middle section of the film heavily draws from the heist genre, while the third act revolves around a courtroom drama. I chose these two genres specifically for these parts because they are widely recognized genres that inherently create tension and captivate the audience through dialogue and interactions. This is the exciting aspect of working with genres – you have the opportunity to explore various realms, unlike other types of films where such experimentation may not be permissible.”
Why Does The Horror Genre Appeal To Nolan?
Nolan promptly expressed his fascination with the horror genre, highlighting its reliance on cinematic techniques and its ability to evoke a visceral response. He mentioned his desire to create a horror film in the future, emphasizing the need for an exceptional idea that is not easily found. From a cinematic perspective, he finds the horror genre to be captivating and unique, as it often incorporates elements of bleakness and abstraction that Hollywood typically avoids. Despite this, he acknowledged that the horror genre is one of the few where studios are more open to exploring such qualities.
