The film portrays the "bio-robots"—liquidators who had to clear radioactive graphite from the roof by hand because electronic robots failed due to the extreme radiation.

One of the most famous real-life "abyss" images is that of the Elephant’s Foot , a mass of highly radioactive corium that melted through the reactor floor and settled in the steam distribution corridors.

Real-life photographer Igor Kostin captured the first image of the wreckage 14 hours after the blast. The photo is famous for being incredibly grainy—not due to the camera, but because the intense radiation began destroying the film as it was exposed.

For a more historical and scientific look at the disaster, you can explore the World Nuclear Association's technical summary or view The Atlantic's archival photo essay of the actual cleanup efforts.