Christopher Nolan Humbly Steps Back as Wife Emma Thomas Accepts ‘Oppenheimer’ Golden Globe Win

Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer was one of the biggest spectacles of the Golden Globes in 2024. It swooped in and managed to snag a staggering five of this prestigious award. Based on the real-life story of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the man who is considered the “father of the atomic bomb” for his role in the Manhattan Project—the World War II undertaking that developed the first nuclear weapons—it was Nolan’s second film to receive an R rating since Insomnia. 

The movie was a phenomenon as soon as it came out, taking the world by storm with its stunning cinematography, extraordinary acting, and sensational storytelling. At the Golden Globes, many were certain that the movie was going to win the Best Drama Picture award. However, it was pleasantly surprising to see Nolan stepping aside and letting his partner and producer of the film, Emma Thomas, accept the win. 

Christopher Nolan makes way for his wife Emma Thomas to shine at the Golden Globes

The Best Drama Picture award was presented this year by none other than Oprah. So, the introduction to the category was already off to a great start. When she announced Oppenheimer as the winner of the category, Thomas was almost in disbelief, as seen in the video posted by Cillian Murphy Archives on YouTube. Amidst all the glitz and glamor and the whole room standing up to cheer for their victory, Emma Thomas did seem emotional. With Christopher Nolan by her side, humbly smiling and cheering her on, she could not help but be candid.

“Thank you so much to the Golden Globes—can you hear my heart beating because it’s going crazy?!”

Also Read: “Thank you, Golden Globes”: Christopher Nolan’s Speech for 1st Golden Globes Win Has an Emotional Callback to Heath Ledger

She mentioned how surreal it was to receive the award from none other than the legendary Oprah Winfrey. She did not feel shy about expressing how the whole film had been a massive team effort and how, without the help of everyone involved, this magnum opus would not have materialized.

“What we do is collaboration, and that’s amazing and exciting and I find that completely magical.”

She was all praise when it came to Christopher Nolan and she emotionally said how happy she was that his hard work had been acknowledged by everyone.

“I am so pleased that Chris has been acknowledged because I just think that what he does is unlike anything anyone else is doing.”

Also Read: Jeremy Allen White’s Breakout Series Had a Weird Rule On Set That Could Give Even Christopher Nolan a Run For His Money

She concluded her speech with a note of gratitude towards Universal and the crew for their faith in a movie that was three hours long with an R rating, dealing with a dark chapter in history. While there was a lot of skepticism, according to her, it all paid off in the end, and created this masterpiece. She also thanked the audience for their trust, which she felt was rewarded through the award.

At the Globes, Oppenheimer beat the contenders Anatomy of a Fall, Killers of the Flower Moon, Maestro, Past Lives, and The Zone of Interest. 

Christopher Nolan responds to Peloton instructor’s apology about criticizing Tenet

Will Christopher Nolan get back on his Peloton journey after being dissed by Peloton instructor Jenn Sherman? Christopher Nolan first brought up the encounter while accepting Best Director from the New York Film Critics Circle earlier this week. According to him, he was in the middle of his exercise when he heard the instructor trash-talking his film Tenet.

When Sherman found out, she did not waste a minute posting an apology video on Instagram and said:

“Huge day for me when I come to find out that the one and only Christopher Nolan, one of the leading filmmakers of the 21st century, knows who the hell I am. I was excited…and then I read the article.”

Also Read: Christopher Nolan’s Peloton Instructor Tries To Get Back Into His Good Graces While Fans Defend ‘Tenet’ From Her “Brutal” Criticism

She tried to explain the reasoning behind it,

“I’m up on the platform teaching my little class and I’m running my mouth off, like I’m known to do. And I make a random comment about a movie I had seen the night before. What do you think the odds are that the director of said movie would take that ride some four years later? Yeah, that would only happen to me.”

She even extended an invitation to the eminent director as well. When asked about the whole incident at the backstage of Golden Globes, Christopher Nolan said in a deadpan manner (via. Deadline),

“Nothing but love for the Peloton, but I did not climb on it today, this is true.”

Also, when asked about the apology, he said, “I might just skip it for a little while, but thank you for your concern,” which does not necessarily mean animosity but also does not seem like he is ready to put everything behind just yet.

Oppenheimer is available to rent on Prime Video.