Robert Downey Jr.'s performance in Oppenheimer showcases his acting abilities to their fullest, surpassing even his iconic role as Iron Man in the MCU. Playing Lewis Strauss, a vindictive and reserved character, allowed Downey to display a different side of his acting talent, which was both chilling and captivating.

Robert Downey Jr.'s performance in Oppenheimer showcases his ability to play a complex and nuanced villain, departing from his usual heroic roles. Downey Jr. convincingly portrays Louis Strauss, a character who initially appears as an ally to the protagonist but later reveals his true conniving nature.

Downey has won the Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance in “Oppenheimer,” beating out stiff competition including Robert De Niro for “Killers of the Flower Moon,” Mark Ruffalo in “Poor Things,” Sterling K. Brown in “American Fiction,” and his Barbenheimer counterpart Ryan Gosling for “Barbie.”