Summary
In 2010, Christopher Nolan released one of his most mind-bending movies yet withInception, and for those seeking another experience like that, there are a number of similar sci-fi thrillers still left to see.Christopher Nolan’s movieshave astounded audiences over the years with their dark and twisty plots.Inceptionis one of his most popular.The movie follows Dom Cobb, a thief who can enter people’s dreams. After losing everything, Cobb goes on one final mission, hoping to redeem himself. Yet, he must do the impossible. Cobb and his team must place a thought into someone’s head.
DespiteInception’sunique premise, there are various other movies that delve into the concept of dreams and the mind. On top of that, there are also countless movies that replicate the slick, gray atmosphere thatInceptionperfects.Some of these films are Christopher Nolan flicks, while others are situated in completely separate genres. Regardless, each of the following movies is a great follow-ups toInception.They are psychological, strange, and make audiences question what is real and what is not.
All 5 Totems In Inception & Their Meanings Explained
Inception is a complex bundle of reality and dreaming, but Christopher Nolan used a brilliant method to help the characters discern their realities.
The Truman Show
Cast
The Truman Show is a 1998 comedy-drama directed by Peter Weir. It follows the life of Truman Burbank (Jim Carrey), a man who discovers that his entire life has been a reality TV show with an audience in the millions. Laura Linney plays Truman’s wife Hannah Gill, Noah Emmerich plays his best friend Marlon, and Ed Harris portrays the series' director, Christof.
One of the first movies viewers may think of when they considerreality-bending moviesis 1998’sThe Truman Show.Starring Jim Carrey,The Truman Showtells the story of Truman, a man who starts to question his realityand ultimately finds that his entire life has been lived on a soundstage. His whole existence has been telecast to the world as a reality television show, and everyone in his life is a paid actor. Truman must find a way to break free.
For a more uplifting version ofInception, The Truman Showis the way to go.
The Truman Showdoesn’t have the stoic aesthetic ofInception.In fact, it’s quite the opposite. The movie is colorful, comedic, and often heartwarming. Yet,The Truman Showis inextricably linked toInceptionbecause of its major themes about questioning reality and one’s role in the world. Like Cobb, Truman is forced into a position that isn’t exactly freeing. However, using his wits, he is able to escape the pressures of society and lead the life he truly wants. For a more uplifting version ofInception, The Truman Showis the way to go.
Being John Malkovich
Being John Malkovich: This film follows the story of an unsuccessful puppeteer named Craig who discovers a portal that leads into the mind of actor John Malkovich. The phenomenon soon entices others to explore the bizarre and controlling world of inhabiting another person’s consciousness.
Another trippy and quirky mind-bender isBeing John Malkovich.This strange comedy film sees John Cusack as Craig, a directionless puppeteerwho takes up a temp job at a dull office. While there, he discovers a portal that allows him to be in the mind of actor, John Malkovich. However, the miracle goes awry when his attractive co-worker takes their discovery in a totally different and immoral direction.
Being John Malkovichis a watchthat is a great combination of meta and outlandish. The movie not only introduces the concept of portals into others' brains, but it also uses John Malkovich as a unique tether between the world of the movie and reality. Better than that, the film questions the morality of such a scenario. Overall,Being John Malkovichis a messy and odd storythat will certainly have audiences scratching their heads as often as they did watchingInception.
Tenet
Armed with only one word—Tenet—and fighting for the survival of the entire world, a nameless Protagonist journeys through a twilight world of international espionage on a mission that will unfold in something beyond real time.
Inceptionmay be unique, but a number of other Christopher Nolan movies have similar themes that make them perfect follow-ups.Tenetis one of these. Released in 2020,Tenettells the story of a former CIA agent who is pulled into a strange time conspiracy. The agent must trace objects as they go back in time and connect them to an attack from the future that will destroy the present. With a star-studded cast and Nolan’s typical cinematic flair, this movie is complex and smart.
Tenethas the worst Rotten Tomatoes score of any film Christopher Nolan as directed with a 69%.
Tenetcertainly has similarities toInceptionin terms of story, but what really connects the two are their aesthetics. LikeInception, Tenetprovides sleek visuals that are intended to stun audiences. It isn’t just the twisty plot that captivates Nolan’s audiences; it is also the way in which Nolan showcases these twists visually. In this way,audiences who loved the utilitarian urban setting ofInceptionshould definitely giveTeneta try.
7Mr. Nobody (2009)
The Last Mortal Human Reflects On His Life
A particularly underrated movie that is reminiscent ofInceptionis 2009’sMr. Nobody.This sci-fi drama follows Nemo, the last mortal human, in a future where everyone has achieved immortality. As Nemo approaches death, he reflects on his life, including his romantic relationships and his difficulties. At the same time, Nemo contemplates the ways in which his life could have been different if he had made different decisions. Notably, the film has a nonlinear plot.
It may seem likeMr. Nobodyhas a fairly straight-forward plot, but it really is quite a web of complicated plots and ideas. It is similar toInceptionin that it makes viewers question what scenes are real and what are just possibilities. Furthermore, the end of the film doesn’t quite give a solid answer either.LikeInception,audiences simply have to trust that the character is happy, no matter which direction they go in. Though this movie can be confusing, it is definitely worth figuring out.
Donnie Darko
After troubled teen Donnie Darko (Jake Gyllenhaal) wakes on a local golf course after a night of sleepwalking, he has a vision of a man in a rabbit suit telling him that the world will end in 28 days. Returning home, Donnie sees that a jet engine has fallen on his bedroom in the night, and begins to feel increasingly detached from reality. Scrambling to make sense of the bizarre and unexplainable events that have altered his life, Donnie finds himself unravelling a tangled web of disaster and fate.
Where theending ofInceptiontricks audiences by being ambiguous, movies likeDonnie Darkoare shocking because of their incredible twists.The 2001 psychological thriller follows the eponymous Donnie, a troubled teenagerwho begins seeing a man in a bunny suit who tells him the world is going to end in a month. Over time, Donnie must deal with his hallucinations while also coming to terms with the fact that some of his visions may actually be true.
Donnie Darko’scast includes stars like Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Drew Barrymore, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Patrick Swayze, and Seth Rogen.
Donnie Darkois a unique mix of quirky, funny, and terrifying. The movie’s autumn 1980s setting gives it a very particular feeling that makes it a perfect seasonal watch. Furthermore, it will leave viewers desperately trying to figure out what they just watched. In the same vein asInception,Donnie Darkodoes not hand audiences the answers, but instead pushes them to make connections themselves. Plus,Donnie Darkoalso has an amazing ensemble cast, just likeInception.
Last Night in Soho
In the acclaimed director Edgar Wright’s psychological thriller, Last Night in Soho, Eloise, an aspiring fashion designer, is mysteriously able to enter the 1960s, where she encounters a dazzling wannabe singer, Sandie. However, the glamour is not all it appears to be, and the dreams of the past start to crack and splinter into something far darker.
Another movie that may not get the appreciation it deserves isLast Night in Soho.The Edgar Wright film follows Eloise, a young woman who moves to London to attend fashion schooland becomes haunted by dreams of a beautiful woman from the 1960s. However, the fantasies quickly turn dark as Eloise watches the woman’s incredible life turn into an absolute nightmare. From there, Eloise must figure out what is real and what is just a figment of her imagination.
Last Night in Sohohas all the same ingredients asInception,but mixed just a bit differently. WhereInceptionleans into sci-fi,Last Night in Soholeans into horror.Inception’satmosphere is dark and clean, whileLast Night in Soho’sis covered in grime. Despite these differences, the movies have plenty in common. Eloise’s desires intermingle with her fantasies, putting her in a situation that is similar to Cobb’s. Both characters have to use their talents to get to the bottom of their issues.
Memento
Christopher Nolan’s Memento is a psychological thriller that tells the story of Leonard, a former insurance investigator who suffers from a disease that prevents his brain from storing short-term memories. The one thing he can remember is murder of his wife, for which he wishes to exact revenge. Starring Guy Pearce and Carrie-Anne Moss, the movie was released in 2000 to widespread acclaim, launching the director’s successful Hollywood career.
The movie that boosted Christopher Nolan to fame is another that has ties toInception. Mementotells the story of Leonard, a man who is attempting to find the man who assaulted and killed his wife. However,Leonard’s search is hindered by the fact that he has short-term memory loss. Though he remembers his past, he can’t figure out what happened mere minutes before. To solve the mystery, Leonard goes to great lengths to keep his memories in order.
Once again,Mementobends reality in a way that forces the main character to question everything he knows. More than that, Christopher Nolan completely flips the movie on its head by includingMemento’snon-linear timeline. In this way, audiences have to work hard to figure out how exactly everything occurred. In some ways,Mementois like a forerunner toInception.Though the films have different plots and ambiances, they both show Nolan’s love of ambiguity and mystery.
The Matrix
The Matrix, released in 1999, is set in the 22nd century and follows a computer hacker, Neo, portrayed by Keanu Reeves. He joins a group of underground insurgents led by Morpheus to combat the domineering computers that control the earth, in a battle that blurs the lines between reality and illusion.
For those seeking more than just one mind-bending movie,The Matrixfranchise is the way to go.The iconic 90s film series stars Keanu Reeves as Neo, a man who discovers that all of humanity is stuck in a simulated reality where their energy is being harvested by intelligent machines. Neo joins up with a secret group of rebels to fight back against the machines and free humanity from their simulation. WhereInceptionfocuses on dreams,The Matrixexplores simulations.
1999
2003
The Matrix Resurrections
2021
The Matrixis a classic when it comes to questions of reality. However, what it has that many of these other movies do not is awesome action sequences. As much asInceptionis about Cobb’s story, it is also bursting with interesting visuals. With its 1990s cyberpunk setting,The Matrixcan offer as much stunning scenery as the Christopher Nolan moviecan. Plus,The Matrixis a franchise, which means the excitement doesn’t have to end after just one movie.
Shutter Island
Martin Scorsese’s Shutter Island is based on the novel of the same name by Dennis Lehane and stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, and Ben Kingsley. Set in 1959, Shutter Island follows two U.S. Marshalls - Teddy Daniels (DiCaprio) and Chuck Aule (Ruffalo) as they are sent to investigate the disappearance of a patient from a hospital specializing in psychiatric care.
Shutter Islandnot only has the twists and turns ofInception:it also has the same lead actor. Martin Scorsese’sShutter Islandsees Leonardo DiCaprio as U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels.Daniels travels to Shutter Island, an infamous insane asylumwhere a murderess has gone missing from inside her locked cell. With the help of his partner, Daniels must discover what happened to the woman. Yet, at the same time, Daniels is also forced to come to terms with the traumas in his own past.
Leonardo DiCaprio starred inInceptionandShutter Islandin the same year, 2010.
Shutter Islandis famous for its third act-twist, and that is reason enough to give the movie a watch. Beyond that, the film definitely has notable similarities toInception.Both films see DiCaprio in a role where he must quite literally rip through his own memories to figure out what the truth is. Additionally,Shutter Islandhas a truly captivating atmosphere that is dark, stormy, and heart-pounding. With yet another great cast, it’s definitely worth watching.
Paprika
Paprika (2007) is a Japanese animated science-fiction film directed by Satoshi Kon. The story follows Dr. Atsuko Chiba, a research psychologist who uses a device called the DC Mini to enter patients' dreams and treat their psychological disorders. When the device is stolen, it poses a threat to both the dream world and reality, prompting Dr. Chiba to transform into her dream alter-ego, Paprika, to retrieve it.
In terms of plot,the 2006 animated filmPaprikais the best movie likeInception.The film follows Dr. Atsuko Chiba, also known as Paprika. During the day, she is a scientist, but at night, she is a detective who enters people’s dreams and solves mysteries within them. Paprika comes up with a device that could help psychiatric patients via dreams, but when it is stolen, she must track down her invention before it is used to destroy minds.
In many ways,Paprika and Cobb inhabit the same role. They both have the unique ability to enter people’s dreams, then must use that ability to complete an important mission. In this way,Paprikais the perfect watch afterInception.However,Paprikaalso provides a different perspective on a very similar story. The movie offers a colorful and trippy look at dreams that evokes the real nature of them. Regardless,Paprikawill likely bring up the same questions and ideas asInceptiondoes.
Inception
Inception, directed by Christopher Nolan, features a skilled thief who uses dream-sharing technology to steal corporate secrets. He is tasked with planting an idea into a CEO’s mind, while confronting his troubled past, which threatens the mission and his team.
