Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb

To what extent does film capture the true nature of science? Sometimes it mirrors reality with striking precision, while other times it takes bold imaginative leaps. This dynamic tension between realism and imagination not only shapes public perceptions of science, but also inspires critical conversations about ethics, technological innovation, and the broader impact of scientific progress. In celebration of the upcoming 225 years anniversary of the Royal Natural Sciences Society of Groningen, we are organizing a special film series for those with a passion for cinema and a love for science. Each screening will be introduced by a scientist who will place the film in context of real-world science.

Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964) 

When the Cuban Missile Crisis put the world on edge, Stanley Kubrick chose to stop worrying and love the bomb. The result is a dark comedy of errors. An American general locks down his military base and gives the final order to drop a nuclear bomb on the Soviet Union, and from there, all hell breaks loose. As the countdown to global catastrophe begins, the film switches between the general trapped inside, a War Room where the mysterious Dr. Strangelove advises the US president, and a cowboy pilot on his final mission.

Introduction by Rob Timmermans 

Theoretical physicist Rob Timmermans will introduce the film. Timmermans specializes in particle physics, quantum mechanics, quantum field theory, and mathematical physics. He will reflect on how the absurd logic of nuclear strategy in Kubrick’s satire can be understood through science and uncertainty, showing how difficult decisions can be in high‑risk situations.

The talk will be in English, and the film will have Dutch subtitles