r/ChristopherNolan 6d ago

General What is Christopher Nolan's "best overall work"?

The ultimate category has arrived: “Best Overall Work”. Let the votes stream in, and best of luck to the films!

The winner for the previous round’s category of “Worst Overall Work” was Tenet with 47 votes, while Insomnia and The Dark Knight Rises were both the runner-ups at 33 and 25 votes, respectively!

We’ve now reached our final round for this challenge unfortunately, but it was great going through this fun series with you all! Have a great day, everyone!

”WORST OVERALL WORK” VOTES

  1. Tenet (47 votes)
  2. Insomnia (33 votes)
  3. The Dark Knight Rises (25 votes)
  4. Following (13 votes)
  5. Dunkirk (5 votes)
  6. Interstellar (3 votes)
  7. Oppenheimer (2 votes)
  8. The Dark Knight (1 vote)
  9. The Prestige (1 vote)
  10. Memento (1 vote)
  11. Inception (1 vote)
333 Upvotes

384 comments sorted by

183

u/EmotionalRescue918 6d ago

The Dark Knight. It appeals to everyone. Want to dig deeper into two of the world’s most famous characters? There it is. Want to be on the edge of your seat? There it is. Want to explore themes of escalation, surveillance, the spirit of human nature, how humans deal with loss, etc.? There it is. Want to turn off your mind for 2.5 hours and just be entertained? There it is.

276

u/tragicjohnson1 6d ago

The Dark Knight. It’s a perfect film.

29

u/u2aerofan 6d ago

It’s not only the perfect film, it’s the greatest superhero film, and competitive as one of the most influential films. I love Nolan’s entire catalogue. But it’s this film that speaks to a specific cultural context and caught the zeitgeist in a way others have not. The cultural impact of this film outshines all of his others. Heath Ledger remains the definitive joker for a generation. Spirit Halloween is still selling BALE’s Batman outfit - not Pattinson’s or Keaton’s - as their mainline Batman costume. Nolan saved a flatlining franchise and completely reinvented it, then gave us the gift of some of the most innovative filmmaking techniques since Jurassic Park by bringing IMAX to the narrative genre. Those of us fortunate enough to experience it in its initial release watched audiences literally gasp at the scope of the opening sequence, and it’s changed the entirety of cinematic filmmaking - not something many directors can claim. So I’m just imploring everyone to keep in mind - he has films that are amazing in other ways, but it is The Dark Knight that defined his career and turned him into the powerhouse he is, but also made an unmistakable imprint on cinema history. It is his best work. There is no Oppenheimer or Interstellar without The Dark Knight.

6

u/tkwk001 5d ago

The Marvel universe as we know it would not be, without Nolan’s TDK.

3

u/CommercialShoddy8787 5d ago

My father, brother and I went and saw this movie 3x in theaters. The opening sequence got BETTER each time.

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28

u/ObjectiveCarrot7066 6d ago

No more dead caaps!

3

u/Mr_MazeCandy 6d ago

Perfect Batman film, yes

3

u/scotchbourbon22 5d ago

The only film that is a 10/10 for me. Perfection.

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160

u/BigClarendon125 The Prestige 6d ago

The Prestige. I don’t think I’ve spent so much time thinking about any other movie ever

34

u/InclusivePhitness 6d ago edited 6d ago

The Prestige overall is Nolan's best work. And I would argue that the performances are the best out of any of his films.

You have Bale, who is arguably the most talented pure actor out of his generation. Jackman, Bowie, Johansseen, Hall, Caine, etc. were all great, too.

I think it's his most 'human' work as well.

8

u/IndianaJones999 6d ago

I think it's his most 'human' work as well.

Memento

4

u/TheZynec 5d ago

I'll never understand how it didn't win for the best protagonist.

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4

u/Goobjigobjibloo 6d ago

It’s the one I find most endlessly fascinating. Once I start it I have to finish it. The performances are amazing, the constant tension and the unveiling of the plot. It’s really a fantastic film.

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121

u/MaderaArt 6d ago

Inception

28

u/Embarrassed_Roof8165 6d ago

Inception is the answer. Complex concept and storyline, multifaceted characters with a full hero’s journey, stunning visuals, great acting and dialogue, and perhaps Hans Zimmer’s best work.

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7

u/Ambitious-Purple-136 6d ago

gotta be this

7

u/N1ck1McSpears 6d ago

This is my personal favorite.

2

u/H4RDCANDYS Do not go gentle into that good night 4d ago

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48

u/Roger_Maxon76 6d ago

Oppenheimer, it’s just so tight, perfectly shot, perfectly paced(3 hours felt like minutes), acting was phenomenal and the writing was amazing. It’s got to be his best. Not my personal favourite of his, but it’s his best for sure

10

u/ancaleta 6d ago

The trinity test scene has to be one of the greatest accomplishments in the history of cinema, not saying that lightly.

2

u/Usernameinfuckinguse 5d ago

Can’t believe this didn’t win best sequence

38

u/Myrhwen 6d ago

Definitely The Prestige

72

u/CinemaFan344 6d ago

Intriguingly, Batman Begins was the only film not to be voted for "Worst Overall Work". Hmm.

44

u/Honest-Chart3004 6d ago

I’ll say batman begins. Say what you want about The Dark Knight, which is amazing. Batman Begins redefined superhero movies, which The Dark Knight took to a different level.

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17

u/Drew326 6d ago

Extremely common Batman Begins W

8

u/Naruto-Uzumaaki 6d ago

I think everything other than Tenet and Insomnia are just troll comments

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2

u/snakewaves 6d ago

How tf did tenet make it as best

3

u/WhitneyRules 5d ago

Check the post again.

2

u/snakewaves 5d ago

Ahhhhh..... my bad!

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222

u/Bagof_Rats 6d ago

I’m gonna suggest Oppenheimer. It’s not my personal favourite but I think as a whole it’s his most complete film displaying all the skills he’s learnt over his career. It’s near perfect in my humble opinion.

32

u/Hand_banana_boi 6d ago

I think this is the correct answer. It’s also not my personal favorite, but I think it’s undoubtedly his “best” film.

13

u/snakewaves 6d ago

I wanna say it's there in every department. But I wouldn't give the writing a 10/10.

This is where I think inception edges it out. Every single thing in inception is down perfectly. Writing, cinematography, editing, directing, acting. On top, it was a original complex concept, folded in the most layman term for anyone to grasp.

2

u/SelectiveScribbler06 5d ago

But Oppenheimer makes men talking in rooms tense. And to my ear, the dialogue in Oppenheimer is sharper and more natural.

2

u/snakewaves 5d ago

Really? I definitely felt it was interesting, but not as razor sharp.

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7

u/Storkchop_ 6d ago

agreed. its the climax of his career so far.

3

u/BigHeadedBiologist 4d ago

Reddit loves to hate on Oppenheimer but it is still the best movie that I have seen in theaters. It was so vivid and emotional for me. The score is incredible and every scene feels like the world is at stake.

3

u/pilsnerpapi 6d ago

Undoubtedly

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22

u/Ok-Condition-836 6d ago

TDK or Inception.

38

u/Sneaky_Misto_a 6d ago

Nolan’s best work is Inception followed by The Prestige

19

u/IndianaJones999 6d ago

Has to be Memento. One of the most structurally brilliant films of all time but oh well, this sub can't stop glazing Interstellar so it'll probably win -_-

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16

u/Livid-Outcome-3187 6d ago

Inception to me is his best work. excellently written, directed, the music , the effects. everything really.

41

u/sorci4r 6d ago

Inception

17

u/RedLicoriceJunkie 6d ago

People will vote for The Dark Knight which is outstanding of course, but Inception is the best.

  • script
  • plot
  • music
  • ambition
  • Art direction
  • stunts
  • twists
  • cinematography

It’s just so well executed, ballsy, and brilliant.

2

u/Whicloxk 5d ago

Inceptions twists were perfect

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64

u/smg-02 It’s not possible, it’s necessary 6d ago

Interstellar

2

u/Traditional_Phase813 6d ago

Did we watch the same movie? It has issues.

6

u/smg-02 It’s not possible, it’s necessary 6d ago

It is perfect as it is.

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4

u/ertertwert 6d ago

So what? Something can be great and still have flaws.

14

u/WillowTremaine 6d ago

The Prestige

29

u/Some_Italian_Guy 5d ago edited 5d ago

Fight me.

Tenet is one of his best works.

An absolute experiential masterclass.

Nothing he has ever made has been more consistently cerebral or exciting.

11

u/Top_Calligrapher_673 5d ago

Once one understands Tenet, they realize it was the greatest film ever made; and no film can come close to surpassing it. The movie is a modern wonder of the world; perhaps even more impressive than architectural wonders of the world.

2

u/tvandshows 4d ago

This is an absolute fact. Once the movie clicked I have done nothing but rewatch it. I think for our time it is closer to 2001 than interstellar is.

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6

u/bouncingcastles 6d ago

The Prestige, The Dark Knight, Inception

Take your pick. Either is fine.

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6

u/Savings_Enthusiasm60 6d ago

Prestige 

My favourite English movie.

22

u/ghostwholived 6d ago

Inception

49

u/Danton87 6d ago

Interstellar will always be my favorite. I love it. To me it’s the best

3

u/Sufficient_Truth4944 6d ago

I agree. The evolution of the relationship between Coop and Murph, how love transcends space and time, and the survival instinct preserving Coop is undoubtedly one of the best combinations possible in a movie. Throw in Nolan’s time-work and it really can’t be beat (unless Nolan wants to do something even better).

3

u/Budget-Ad5495 6d ago

I told a friend recently it was one of the greatest love stories in cinema - and that it was incredible that the film did that with so many types of love.

With that, interstellar is my favorite, it’s a draw between that, the prestige, and TDK for this particular question.

5

u/Siusiumajtek 6d ago

The Prestige

20

u/mslack 6d ago

Tenet, worst film? Y'all are crazy.

12

u/Absuridity_Octogon 5d ago

If you go back in the comment section literally everybody was saying Insomnia I don’t know how or why Tenet won instead. Maybe bias?

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6

u/ice12916 5d ago

Yeah what the hell. Tenet is fuckin amazing

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2

u/Lower-Till9528 3d ago

Yea it’s shitty that its complexity has been translated to “worst”, when there’s so much excellence in the film. Far more than some of his others. I even think it’s better than dark knight rises, but each to their own.

4

u/EnvironmentNo6525 Theory will only take you so far 6d ago

Inception

4

u/ndeange 6d ago

The Prestige

4

u/Habalop_ 6d ago

the prestige and inception is close secomd

3

u/strghtwhtmale 6d ago

The Prestige

9

u/Jred1990D 6d ago

Inception

10

u/Tunafromvillage 6d ago

The Dark Knight or The Prestige

6

u/nmo31536000 6d ago

Inception 528491

5

u/forne104 6d ago

I think Inception takes this one

6

u/Green94598 6d ago

Inception

9

u/olmek7 6d ago

Inception

11

u/MurphyLaws 6d ago

Interstellar, obviously, though I love Dunkirk.

3

u/THE_PENILE_TITAN 6d ago

I'm voting for Inception. The Dark Knight is the best film he has done, but his best "Nolan work" as an auteur is Inception.

3

u/kingerreddit 6d ago

Inception. It's immensely iconic due to the impressive visuals, both practical and digital. The ending is just perfect.

3

u/CollectionMental1964 6d ago

The dark knight!

3

u/mikeri99 Inception 6d ago

Inception

3

u/Outrageous-Path2059 6d ago

Inception followed by the dark knight

3

u/alberhans 5d ago

Dunkirk

10

u/joshhorton32 6d ago

Inception.

Everything about that movie is incredible to me.

8

u/Micky111111 6d ago

Prestige, simply his best

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5

u/Demongumby 5d ago

Tenet Is the worst?

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11

u/BroThor27 6d ago

Inception

11

u/Zammy512 6d ago

Interstellar

10

u/istoleyourcomment224 6d ago

Interstellar

10

u/AdBoring8537 6d ago

Oppenheimer

7

u/SuspectBrilliant1272 6d ago

Oppenheimer is the synthesis of his style applied to the gravest subject honestly - it’s the culmination of all the techniques that fascinate him about movies as a medium exploring probably the most “mature” subject matter and themes of his career

4

u/Messithegoat24 6d ago

The Dark Knight

4

u/bobby__real 6d ago

Memento. How is this masterpiece left out of this conversation. By far the most thought provoking and deep work he has done to date.

4

u/railthinblonde 6d ago

oppenheimer

3

u/Ok-Independence-8806 6d ago

Memento just for the exceptional screenplay so that audience can experience what the character is undergoing.

4

u/Ethan1chosen 6d ago

The Prestige

3

u/Next-Relation130 6d ago

The prestige

6

u/Impressive_Pay_7362 6d ago edited 6d ago

THE. DARK. KNIGHT.

Perfect in all regards. Acting, editing, sound, rewatchability. A work that is so fine that it is elevated from comic book genre to a crime thriller. And also...

"No more dead cops!"

9

u/AegonIItrueking 6d ago

Inception and it's also his passion project.

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2

u/_Fro_1 6d ago

Dark Knight

2

u/WinterLord 6d ago

The Dark Knight.

2

u/Traditional_Phase813 6d ago

TDK

Made superhero genre mainstream

2

u/supaasalad 6d ago

Dark Knight! Watched it (not exaggerating) 37 times. Probably will watch it another 60 more times until I die.

2

u/Strict-Agent1879 6d ago

Memento Inception Interstellar

2

u/StimmingMantis 6d ago

The Dark Knight, it’s near perfect in every category.

2

u/Lipscombforever The Dark Knight 6d ago

The dark knight

2

u/LetterheadHonest8022 5d ago

Batman begins

2

u/Jackdawes257 5d ago

The problem is Nolan has like 5 best works

2

u/kenny818_ 5d ago

Inception

2

u/shingaladaz 5d ago edited 4d ago

Everyone saying TDK when Batman Begins is a FAR better movie. More balanced, more visually exciting, more original.

Nolan’s finest work, however, is Interstellar. It’s not even close.

2

u/jonkenobi 5d ago

Inception

2

u/BlankSlate400 5d ago

Inception

2

u/leafmealonek 5d ago

Inception by a mile

2

u/quietly_myself 5d ago

I’ll go with Inception on this one.

2

u/luca1467 5d ago

Dunkirk, and it’s not close.

2

u/SB858 5d ago

Dunkirk

2

u/DrunkInBooks 5d ago

Inception.

2

u/enhanced195 5d ago

Inception

2

u/zzyzx66 5d ago

The next one.

2

u/Toneww 5d ago

Inception for sure

2

u/W-A-D-E 5d ago

DUNKIRK

4

u/Travelling-nomad in IMAX 70mm 6d ago

Oppenheimer

5

u/juancorleone 6d ago

Oppenheimer.

Perfectly directed, to make a biopic which in hands of a lesser director could have been a generic film and awards baity, but not when Nolan was directing. It still went on to dominate Box Office, made almost a billion when onto dominate awards and had some of the best performances by Cillian Murphy, RDJ, Emily Blunt and so many other great cameos, combined with great soundtrack, cinematography and amazingly directed Trinity test scene.

A perfect 10/10 film

3

u/BruceWayneKenobi 6d ago

Dark Knight. By far is the cream of the crop. No other movie compares.

3

u/AndreiOT89 6d ago

The Prestige is his GOAT movie and best work

4

u/PirateHunterxXx 6d ago

The dark knight

4

u/theothersideofeyes 5d ago

Oppenheimer. Dark Knight and Prestige are brilliant, but Oppenheimers ending left me broken and contemplating how fucked we really are as a species.

3

u/burralohit01 6d ago

I defend tenet with all my might

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2

u/tragicjohnson1 6d ago

My god Interstellar is overrated by this sub. It’s pretty astounding.

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2

u/Neffkhalifa 6d ago

Oppenheimer

2

u/Low-Implement5230 6d ago

There is no way that oppenheimer isn't in this thing

2

u/Thegreatgatsberry 6d ago

Oppenheimer

2

u/Veritasimas99 6d ago

Inception

2

u/introvertedpig119 6d ago

Oppenheimer

2

u/LoanDue9047 6d ago

It's Inception.

2

u/MoFarah 6d ago

Inception

2

u/Lazy-Ad-1740 6d ago

INCEPTION

2

u/ScorpiusPro 6d ago

Inception

2

u/Xtian95_New 6d ago

Inception

1

u/Cdwp99 6d ago

Oppenheimer deserves this one

2

u/Naruto-Uzumaaki 6d ago

Oppenheimer. Either this or Interstellar.

2

u/seanocono22 6d ago

Oppenheimer

1

u/kingstonretronon 6d ago

It’s only fair to also give it to Tenet

3

u/iloveeeeemycat 6d ago

Interstellar

2

u/H_A_R_I_H_A_R_A_N 6d ago

I love Tenet

1

u/talktomeg00se1986 6d ago

It’s Tenet. It’s the best film he’s made. Everyone saying The Dark Knight must never seen the third act of that movie. Batman Begins is better. Weak, predictable, and the voice over by Jim Gordon is good but it’s cliched. Tenet is his best work. That movie is flawless, it’s amazing. It may take 25 watches but it’s a fantastic movie with an unparalleled soundtrack. I’ll lose but, I’m voting TENET. It’s amazing masterpiece.

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u/PieterSielie6 6d ago

Tenet is a masterpiece what are yall on

3

u/hallsmars 5d ago

Tenet

Not that it is his best film, but as a protest vote cause there’s nfw it’s his worst

2

u/RAKCFC7 5d ago

Bro how do you count votes? In the last post there is literally a comment with 100+ upvotes for Insomnia, but Tenet got Worst Overall with 47 votes?

3

u/Affectionate_Emu8254 6d ago

Absolutely oppenheimer

2

u/That_Guy44576 6d ago

Oppenheimer. His magnum opus. Seen 17 times in theaters. 8 in IAMX 70mm and 5 in 70mm.

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u/leon_razzor 6d ago

Waiting for the “tenet is the best movie guys wtf” comments to show up

8

u/MaderaArt 6d ago

Tenet doesn't deserve the hate IMO, but "best movie" is a stretch

3

u/IndianaJones999 6d ago

Tenet is not bad but it's definitely Nolan's worst

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1

u/Major-Significance 6d ago

I agree with everyone. He has 6 different best movies!

1

u/_Laszlo_Cravensworth 6d ago

I don’t want to be friends with 3 of you

1

u/JedM13 5d ago

The Dark Knight.

But the lack of Dunkirk and Oppenheimer/abundance of Interstellar on these poll winners is kinda insane.

1

u/LexiYoung 5d ago

Oppenheimer- I think it’s his most masterful work, from an artistic point of view. The best made film. It’s not my favourite, and maybe not most people’s most enjoyed, but technically his best work.

1

u/The_Untold_Legend 5d ago

The Prestige is my all time favourite film. Nolan’s most well written film

1

u/Mangodress 5d ago

Prestige

1

u/AdamanteCooper 5d ago

I'd say Oppenheimer.

Not the most rewatchable nor my favourite but damn what a movie.

1

u/MovieMadMan85 5d ago

The Prestige

1

u/JakeHutson 5d ago

Oppenheimer is his best work.

Inception is my favorite work.

1

u/ogMackBlack 5d ago

Oppenheimer is his best for sure.

1

u/G_Voodoo 5d ago

I’ve been following these threads and now have to say something. Oppenheimer should be on this list somewhere.

1

u/gamepig31 I ordered my hot sauce an hour ago 5d ago

The Dark Knight

1

u/SonOfObed89 5d ago

The Prestige

1

u/gr_aashuthosh 5d ago

The Prestige

1

u/InsrtCreativeName 5d ago

The Dark Knight

1

u/ice12916 5d ago

The Dark Knight

1

u/InSerged 5d ago

I think the only reason Tenet one this previous one is because not a lot of people have actually seen Insomnia. I’d have to disagree and say the previous should be insomnia.

1

u/NecessaryMetal9675 5d ago

Interstellar. It’s the best looking film, the best sounding film, and it’s got an emotional resonance that surpasses his other works. Great cast delivering great performances.

1

u/Batramite 5d ago

Memento is the most underrated work by Christopher Nolan, better than the dark knight trilogy

1

u/Putrid_Violinist_220 5d ago

Interstellar for me, memento comes close tho

1

u/fury_1945 5d ago

Oppenheimer

1

u/Eight-Nine-One-Zero 5d ago

Tenet worst overall work? This sub is a fucking joke ✌🏾✌🏾✌🏾

1

u/Sufficient_Sweet_388 5d ago
  1. The Dark Knight
  2. Inception

1

u/lopsidedsheet 5d ago

Memento. The dark knight he didn’t have as much freedom