Christopher Nolan’s sci-fi masterpiece “Inception” has become a global phenomenon since its release in 2010, creating a proliferation of film discourses, video essays and fan websites surrounding the nature of its complex storyline. Starring big names such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Ellen Page, the film narrative follows a thief who wields the technology of dream-sharing as a tactic in stealing corporate secrets. The dialogue often brings into question psychological ideas and conundrums, presenting the film as much more than just a chain of action-packed sequences.
Nolan has gone on to write, direct and produce a number of acclaimed films, including “The Dark Knight Rises,” “Interstellar,” and “Dunkirk.” His fundamental interest in the vulnerability of human nature when faced with extreme circumstances remains a mutual thread in all his works. Here, we take a look at 15 best movies to watch if you enjoyed the mind-bending sci-fi classic that is “Inception.”
15 “Interstellar” Fuses Fantasy With Reality In An Epic Sci-Fi Adventure
Christopher Nolan’s epic sci-fi adventure follows a team of astronauts as they search the universe for a new habitable home for the human race. Starring A-list actors such as Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway, the film is set in the future where planet Earth becomes slowly destroyed by a global crop blight and second Dust Bowl.
14 The Originality Of The Cyberpunk Genre Is Exemplified In “The Matrix”
With its amplified sound effects and 90s colour grading aesthetic, “The Matrix” has remained a fan favourite cyberpunk classic since its release in 1999. The Wachowskis’ imaginative craft manifests itself in the complex storyline, painting the existing world as a place where there is more than meets the eye.
13 “Source Code” Carries An Action-Packed Narrative Of Heightened Suspense
Duncan Jones’s “Source Code” expertly uses the motif of repetition and a withholding of knowledge to create suspense within its action thriller narrative. Recruited for a secret operation, an army pilot suddenly finds himself in someone else’s body with a mission to locate the bomber of the Chicago commuter train in eight minutes.
12 “Memento” Pays Tribute To The Neo-Noir Genre Through Fragmented Storytelling
According to Empire, “Memento” sees ‘Nolan's exploration of memory and time toying with narrative and structure.’ The signature non-linear narrative structure and fragmented storytelling are both used to communicate investigator Leonard Shelby’s condition of anterograde amnesia. This forces him to use tiny clues such as notes and tattoos to track down his wife’s murderer.
11 “Dunkirk” Brings To The Screen An Emotionally-Charged War Film
Nolan brings something new to the genre of the war film as he incorporates emotionally-charged subplots and a profound moral story into the action-packed landscapes of “Dunkirk.” The film is set in May 1940, during the German invasion of France which resulted in a number of Allied troops becoming trapped on the beaches of Dunkirk.
10 “Fight Club” Stylistically Portrays An Individual’s Psychological Breakdown
Hailed as one of the best psychological dramas ever made, “Fight Club” follows the adventures of an insomniac office worker and a soap maker who work together to form an underground fight club. According to The New York Times, the film’s ‘sardonic, testosterone-fueled science fiction touches a raw nerve’ even with audiences today.
9 “The Illusionist” Sees A Storyline Filled With Magic, Mystery, And Murder
Combining the unlikely genres of romance and mystery, “The Illusionist” portrays the dangers of dark magic through a story of a stage performer who uses magic to win back the love of his life. Starring indie favourite Edward Norton, the film explores humanistic themes such as class prejudice alongside its overarching fantastical narrative.
8 Time Travel Is Shown Through Multiple Layers In “Donnie Darko”
With its beloved alternative soundtrack and quirky one-liners such as ‘Why are you wearing that stupid man suit?’, “Donnie Darko” has risen to become an acclaimed cult classic among a wealth of critics and film academics. The film follows a troubled high schooler Donnie, as he navigates the surrealistic events of his daily life, including meeting a six-foot rabbit named Frank.
7 “Seven” Brings Fresh Perspectives To The Serial Killer Genre
According to the Washington Post, “Seven” reads like a ‘medieval enterprise, darker in text and tone than a Gothic cathedral by the light of the moon.’ This is in part due to its central theme of the seven deadly sins and its gory depiction of each murder as the storyline progresses.
6 “The Prestige” Navigates A Thrilling Tale Of Rivalry And Obsession
Considered by many as Nolan’s masterpiece, “The Prestige” follows a tale of two rival stage magicians as they engage in an ultimate battle to perform a show-stopping illusion by any means possible. Starring Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman, the film is also known for its stunning performances as the two male protagonists are shown to be pushed to their mental and physical limits.
