Actor Florence Pugh has shared an unexpected behind the scenes story from the filming of Oppenheimer, revealing that a camera stopped working while she and Cillian Murphy were shooting one of their intimate scenes. The actress said the technical problem happened at an awkward moment and left the two actors waiting on set while the crew worked to fix the equipment.
Speaking about the incident, Pugh recalled, “In the middle of our sex scene, the camera broke. No one knows this, but it did.” She added, “Our camera broke when we were both naked, and it was not ideal timing.”
According to Pugh, the scene was being filmed on a closed set with only essential crew members present. Because filming had to stop unexpectedly, she and Murphy had no choice but to remain on set while the crew figured out the technical problem. She described the situation as awkward but said everyone handled it professionally.
Rather than sitting quietly during the delay, Pugh decided to ask questions about the equipment and learn more about the filmmaking process. She recalled saying, “So tell me, what’s wrong with this camera?” The unexpected break gave her an opportunity to understand how the camera worked and what had caused the issue.
Director Christopher Nolan later explained the technical problem to her. According to Pugh, the issue was related to the way light was entering the camera, which prevented the crew from continuing the shoot until it was repaired.
Florence Pugh reveals the camera broke during her and Cillian Murphy’s intimate scene in Oppenheimer, leaving them stuck on set waiting for repairs.
— The Forge 🍿 (@TheForgexx) July 20, 2026
“In the middle of our sex scene, the camera broke. No one knows this, but it did.”
“Our camera broke when we were both naked, and… pic.twitter.com/bnaeWR9vii
Looking back on the experience, Pugh said the incident gave her an even greater appreciation for the people working behind the scenes. She praised the crew for their dedication and technical knowledge, saying the moment showed how much effort goes into making a film of Oppenheimer’s scale. Despite the awkward situation, she described the experience of working with the cast and crew as a privilege.
Released in 2023, Oppenheimer was directed by Christopher Nolan and starred Cillian Murphy as physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer. Florence Pugh played psychiatrist Jean Tatlock, with the film also featuring an ensemble cast that included Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon, and Josh Hartnett. The film received widespread praise from critics and audiences and went on to become one of the biggest films of the year.