Since his debut in 1998, Christopher Nolan has become a staple of the film industry with many beloved and groundbreaking films. With his 13th film, “The Odyssey,” coming out this summer, it’s a good time to go down memory lane and take a look at his filmography so far.
12. Following
“Following” was Nolan’s directorial debut, and it shows. An independent film made on a very tight budget, the cinematography is shaky, and the acting isn’t on par with his later works. However, you can still see the signs of the great storyteller and filmmaker that Nolan would come to be known as.
The film doesn’t necessarily have the most exciting plot, but due to Nolan’s use of nonlinear storytelling, it feels more interesting. It’s a thrilling film that is only able to have the twists and shock-value it does due to how Nolan frames the story. “Following” proves that even with the most basic story, Nolan can make something unique and engaging.
11. Dunkirk
Nolan’s World War II epic “Dunkirk” is a shorter film that feels a bit too long. The film doesn’t contain a heavy amount of dialogue or characterization, and there are times when the film feels like it’s dragging a bit.
"Dunkirk" still contains exciting and tense actions sequences as everyone is shown fighting to survive. The visuals are amazing, and Nolan’s use of three different storylines freshens up the story when it starts to get stale. “Dunkirk” isn’t Nolan’s best film, but it’s a worthy addition to his catalog.
10. Insomnia
A unique film for Nolan, “Insomnia” is the only time he worked as a director-for-hire and wasn't a credited screenwriter. It doesn’t really feel like a Nolan film and is more of a standard detective procedural. It’s not as groundbreaking or awe-inspiring as some of his other movies, but it still has a lot to offer.
The film has incredible performances from Al Pacino and Robin Williams, and the characters are what make it worthwhile. The story isn’t necessarily the most exciting, but the mental deterioration and psychological torment of protagonist Will Dormer (Pacino) is a fascinating journey to follow.
9. Tenet
A spy film about moving backwards and forwards through time, “Tenet” is bold and unique. Nolan puts his own touch on the spy drama, and it makes for an action-packed film with some of the most original action sequences ever.
“Tenet” is a great film that makes the best use of its unique premise. The combination of both a spy movie and a time travel story makes for a film experience like no other.
8. The Dark Knight Rises
While not quite on the same level as its predecessors, “The Dark Knight Rises” is still a strong and worthy conclusion to “The Dark Knight” trilogy. The pacing is slightly off, and it’s a bit too long, but the strong themes and characters make those easier to overlook.
“The Dark Knight Rises” is by no means a perfect film, but even with its flaws, its emotional core hits hard every time. Tom Hardy’s Bane makes a great final villain for the trilogy, and Christian Bale’s humanized performance as Bruce Wayne and Batman makes him compelling with or without the mask. Ultimately, it’s an impactful film because it proves that sometimes the most heroic action is to rise above one’s pain.
7. Oppenheimer
Nolan’s first film to win Best Picture and Best Director, “Oppenheimer,” is an amazing character study into the man behind the atomic bomb. It’s captivating from beginning to end despite not having his usual blockbuster-style set pieces.
It’s a film that tackles great themes and has amazing performances, especially from Cillian Murphy, who won Best Actor for his take on J. Robert Oppenheimer. It deals with a World War II and Cold War era America through the lens of Oppenheimer as he grapples with the morality of creating the world’s deadliest weapon, making for a thought-provoking look into America’s past.
6. Memento
Nolan’s last independent film, “Memento,” is a great psychological thriller that really highlights Nolan’s creative methods for storytelling. It’s a character study told half chronologically backwards and half chronologically forwards. This choice makes the story more exciting, as it starts at the end and slowly unravels how everything led to that point.
The film rests heavily on the shoulders of Guy Pearce, who delivers an astounding performance as the protagonist Leonard Shelby. Despite not being action-oriented, the film keeps you on the edge of your seat, constantly guessing with Leonard how he got to a particular moment. It’s an exciting ride, and once everything comes together, "Memento" will have you questioning the power of the human mind.
5. Inception
One of Nolan’s best original films, “Inception” is a mind-bending roller coaster exploring the concepts of dreaming and illusion versus reality. With a strong ensemble cast, complex story and one of Hans Zimmer’s best scores, “Inception” is one of Nolan’s finest contributions to cinema.
Despite mostly taking place in a dream, the stakes are incredibly high and will have you gripping your seat throughout. It contains some of the most amazing visuals put to screen, but they never overwhelm the story or characters. It’s a groundbreaking and unique film with a great, thought-provoking finish.
4. The Prestige
An underrated gem in Nolan’s filmography, “The Prestige” is a nonlinear thriller filled with shocking twists and turns. With a strong ensemble cast, it will enthrall you with its exciting story and keep you continuously coming back for more.
It’s a film that is highly engaging from the first viewing and gets better with each rewatch. Hugh Jackman and Bale are phenomenal in their roles and present an extremely intense rivalry. The film will have you captivated by its thrill and mystery right until the credits roll and in a movie about magic, Nolan highlights his talent by pulling off his own magic trick with the film itself.
3. Batman Begins
Nolan’s first studio blockbuster, “Batman Begins,” does not pull any punches and is driven by a stellar ensemble cast. He puts substance over spectacle, finding the perfect balance between epic cinema and compelling story.
It's a film that never loses its charm, whether you’re watching it for the first time or the thousandth. With an epic score, compelling acting and a mesmerizing story that humanizes Bruce Wayne, the film helped revitalize an icon and prove what Nolan is capable of. Often overshadowed by its successor, “Batman Begins” remains one of Nolan’s finest outings and will leave you blown away every time.
2. The Dark Knight
The film that cemented Nolan’s status as an all-time great, “The Dark Knight,” is not only the greatest superhero film ever made, but one of the greatest movies ever made. With a compelling story, resonant themes, great pacing, a strong score and career-defining performances, it’s a film that fires on all cylinders.
Bale grounds the film with his portrayal of Batman, and Heath Ledger shines as the Joker in one of the greatest performances of all time. It’s a gripping film from beginning to end and hits just as hard every time you watch it and with a perfect ending, “The Dark Knight” is an all-time classic.
1. Interstellar
Nolan’s magnum opus, “Interstellar,” is both his greatest work and one of the greatest films of all time. It’s an outer space epic with some of the best cinematography and a deeply human story that wears its heart on its sleeve.
Matthew McConaughey gives a powerful performance as the protagonist, Cooper, and Zimmer’s emotional score is one of the best ever made. Nolan puts so much heart into the story and characters, and it makes for one of the most deeply moving films. There’s much to be praised about “Interstellar,” but what makes it a timeless classic is its poignant message about love transcending time and space.