Christopher Nolan is a director who inspires strong feelings, both positive and negative, in his audience members, fans, and detractors. His films are unique, sometimes difficult to parse, and loud, overwhelming spectacles, but they are also meditations on humanity, grief, memory, and time. In this article, we will explore Nolan's five "worst" movies, according to Rotten Tomatoes, and analyze why they are still worth watching. While none of Nolan's movies are, by any metric, bad, these five films are the least polished and have the lowest Rotten Tomatoes ratings. However, they are still fascinating and offer a glimpse into Nolan's early career and his unique style. So, let's dive into the list and explore these films in more detail.
Following (1998)
Nolan's directorial debut, "Following," is a neo-noir crime film that follows a young writer, the Young Man (Jeremy Theobald), who is tailing people on busy London streets to try and find something to write about for a debut novel. When he starts following a mysterious man in a suit, Cobb (Alex Haw), he admits he's a professional thief, and before long, the Young Man is involved with Cobb's crimes. "Following" is a genuinely fascinating look at how far Nolan could stretch a miniscule budget before he made it big. While it's not one of Nolan's best movies, it's still worth a watch.
Personally, I think "Following" is a hidden gem that showcases Nolan's early interest in storytelling and his ability to create a compelling narrative with limited resources. The film's use of natural light and shoestring budget adds to its authenticity and makes it a fascinating study of how a director can create a powerful film with minimal resources. What makes this particularly fascinating is how Nolan uses the criminal underbelly of London as a backdrop to explore themes of identity, ambition, and the human condition. In my opinion, "Following" is a must-watch for any fan of Nolan's work, as it provides a glimpse into his early career and his unique style.
Batman Begins (2005)
The first film in Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy, "Batman Begins," introduces us to Christian Bale's taciturn, growling take on Bruce Wayne, who traverses Gotham by night as Batman, the Caped Crusader. While "Batman Begins" has an 85% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it pales in comparison to a lot of Nolan's other work. The film's villains, Cillian Murphy's Scarecrow and Liam Neeson's Ra's al Ghul, are pitch-perfect and add depth to the story. However, the film's focus on Batman's origins and the League of Shadows feels somewhat formulaic and lacks the depth and complexity of Nolan's later work.
From my perspective, "Batman Begins" is a solid entry in the Dark Knight trilogy, but it's not as innovative or thought-provoking as Nolan's later films. The film's reliance on action and spectacle, while entertaining, feels somewhat shallow and lacks the depth and nuance that define Nolan's best work. What many people don't realize is that "Batman Begins" was initially conceived as a solo movie, and its eventual release as the first film in a trilogy was a later development. This raises a deeper question about the nature of superhero films and the role of the origin story in defining a character's identity.
The Prestige (2006)
"The Prestige," a box-office battle between two magic-themed mysteries, "The Prestige" and "The Illusionist," casts Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale as rival magicians Robert Angier and Alfred "The Professor" Borden, respectively. Using a non-linear storyline, Nolan weaves his way through Angier and Borden's lives and careers, showing us specifically where the rift emerged between them. "The Prestige" is a wild ride, and apparently, it's not everybody's cup of tea. However, it's still worth a watch.
In my opinion, "The Prestige" is a fascinating exploration of the nature of rivalry, obsession, and the human condition. The film's use of a non-linear storyline adds to its complexity and makes it a thought-provoking watch. What makes this particularly fascinating is how Nolan uses the world of magic as a backdrop to explore themes of identity, ambition, and the human condition. The film's supporting cast, including Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson, and David Bowie, adds depth and nuance to the story, making it a truly immersive experience.
Interstellar (2014)
"Interstellar," Christopher Nolan's meditation on fatherhood that just so happens to employ a non-linear storyline and is set partly in space, has a 73% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Set in a bleak future where the Earth has been ravaged by drought, famine, and blight, the film casts Matthew McConaughey as NASA pilot Joseph "Coop" Cooper, who, despite being a single dad to two children after the death of his wife, agrees to pilot a flight to attempt to salvage the Earth in some way. The twists and turns of "Interstellar" all have to do with the way that time passes, and while they can be baffling at times, they're extraordinary to witness.
Personally, I think "Interstellar" is a thought-provoking exploration of the nature of time, space, and the human condition. The film's use of a non-linear storyline adds to its complexity and makes it a truly immersive experience. What makes this particularly fascinating is how Nolan uses the world of space exploration as a backdrop to explore themes of identity, ambition, and the human condition. The film's supporting cast, including Anne Hathaway, Michael Caine, and Jessica Chastain, adds depth and nuance to the story, making it a truly engaging experience.
Tenet (2020)
"Tenet," the weirdest and most ambitious film in Christopher Nolan's entire oeuvre, is a 2020 time-travel flick that scored the lowest on Rotten Tomatoes, with a 70% rating. "Tenet" stars John David Washington as a character simply known as "the Protagonist," who, while working for the CIA, is drawn into a bizarre experiment and ends up working with a different organization, simply called Tenet. What Tenet does, to put it as simply as I possibly can, is find items with "inverted entropy" that allow one to move around in time.
In my opinion, "Tenet" is a thrilling exploration of the nature of time, identity, and the human condition. The film's use of time travel as a backdrop to explore themes of identity, ambition, and the human condition is truly innovative and thought-provoking. What makes this particularly fascinating is how Nolan uses the world of espionage and time travel as a backdrop to explore the complexities of the human condition. The film's supporting cast, including Elizabeth Debicki, Kenneth Branagh, and Robert Pattinson, adds depth and nuance to the story, making it a truly immersive experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while none of Christopher Nolan's movies are, by any metric, bad, these five films are the least polished and have the lowest Rotten Tomatoes ratings. However, they are still fascinating and offer a glimpse into Nolan's early career and his unique style. Whether you're a fan of Nolan's work or not, these films are worth watching for their innovative storytelling, complex themes, and immersive experiences. As Nolan continues to push the boundaries of cinema, these films serve as a reminder of his early career and his unique vision. So, the next time you're looking for a movie to watch, consider exploring these five "worst" movies of Christopher Nolan's and discover the magic of his early work.
