The Oppenheimer (2023 film) meme phenomenon centers largely on Cillian Murphy's portrayal of J. Robert Oppenheimer, specifically his hauntingly intense expressions and the 'thousand-yard stare' depicting internal existential dread. Following the film's announcement and release, the internet exploded with variations ranging from 'Barbenheimer' mashups with the Barbie movie to parodies of the famous 'I am become death' quote. These memes are typically used to represent a moment of profound, world-shattering realization or the overwhelming weight of one's own mistakes. The high-contrast cinematography and dramatic score provided the perfect backdrop for internet humor that juxtaposes serious existential crises with mundane everyday problems.