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The Prestige

Play trailer 2:26 Poster for The Prestige PG-13 2006 2h 10m Drama Fantasy Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
77% Tomatometer 209 Reviews 92% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
An illusion gone horribly wrong pits two 19th-century magicians, Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) and Rupert Angier (Hugh Jackman), against each other in a bitter battle for supremacy. Terrible consequences loom when the pair escalate their feud, each seeking not just to outwit -- but to destroy -- the other man.
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The Prestige

The Prestige

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Critics Consensus

Full of twists and turns, The Prestige is a dazzling period piece that never stops challenging the audience.

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Critics Reviews

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Graham Fuller Sight & Sound Nov 2, 2018
Although the film's stunning reveals make the audience realise it has been duped... there is a protagonist to empathise with each time. Go to Full Review
Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times Sep 7, 2007
3/4
It's quite a movie -- atmospheric, obsessive, almost satanic. Go to Full Review
Brian Tallerico UGO Mar 24, 2007
An example of old-fashioned storytelling, the kind of magical movie that could have been made fifty years ago and, consequently, will still be watched fifty years from now. Go to Full Review
Andrew Wyatt The Take-Up Jul 27, 2026
20 years later, 'The Prestige' rises from the pack as Christopher Nolan's "early period" masterwork: a lush and exhilarating depiction of dueling worldviews, shared obsessions, and the emergent challenges and horrors of our godless, technocratic world. Go to Full Review
Nick Rogers Midwest Film Journal Jul 13, 2026
2.5/5
An impressively bespoke pitch deck for 20 years of Christopher Nolan's filmmaking philosophies but still just a pitch deck all the same — with a voila reveal no less embarrassing than that of a Gob Bluth illusion. Go to Full Review
Gissane Sophia Lady Geeks Media Jul 6, 2026
4/5
Visually, The Prestige is among one of the most gorgeous films in Nolan’s filmography, and a tremendous showcase of how much he packs into a single frame. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Isiah P @oOstutterOo 1 day ago I’m beginning to notice that Christopher Nolan only knows how to start a movie one way: fast. That being said this movie was still pretty good. The plot sometimes feels a bit crazy with how far it goes but it certainly keeps you engaged. There were a few twists that I didn’t see coming at all and I walked away feeling like I knew all the answers which is nice. Definitely the black sheep of Nolan’s filmography (of what I’ve seen so far). I’m not sure that I’ll watch this again but I’m glad I watched it at least once. See more Sammy L @UnapologeticSammy 1 day ago Overrated slop where the most absurd plot developments are treated with absolute seriousness leading to laughably bad, unintentionally funny moments. This movie thinks it is being clever and is a work of genius but it really is just a self serious, pretentious, boring slog with terrible writing and thin characterizations that convey little else rather than an absurd obsession with magic. At a certain point you mentally, and especially emotionally check out of the plot and story being told as the amount of random shit happening continues to pile up. The big twists at the end are framed as earth shattering revelations for the audience but can actually be predicted from a country mile. Really, really poor from Nolan and supremely amateur hour from all involved. Give this a skip, it is over hyped trash. See more Julien M @jmontmayeur7 6 days ago This is one of Nolan's greatest movies. The screenplay is so well written. The acting is incredible. The plot twists are great. And the overall setup of how the movie flows is great. The start and end are exceptional. I love the different timelines. The foreshadowing in this movie is off the charts. Well done, Nolan. See more Brahnavan B @i_love_movie_theatres_more_than_u Sep 7, 2026 It felt very meandering and overly convoluted, and I struggled to know where each plot twist was leading until the very end. See more Jay S @RT76785189 Sep 5, 2026 A smart and gripping thriller with excellent performances from Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman. The story is built around a simple rivalry, but it gradually becomes much darker and more complicated. The direction, atmosphere and storytelling are excellent. I also liked how the movie explores obsession and the sacrifices people are willing to make for success. The film demands attention, but that makes the payoff even better. A great mystery with a satisfying ending. See more Freddie H @HairyHudini Aug 30, 2026 77% is a crime. This is a brilliantly plotted and layered movie, with action, mystery, and more! Hugh Jackman and Chrsitian Bale star in this movie. The movie kept me on tenterhooks till the very end... I advise all to watch this masterpiece. See more Read all reviews
The Prestige

My Rating

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Movie Info

Synopsis An illusion gone horribly wrong pits two 19th-century magicians, Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) and Rupert Angier (Hugh Jackman), against each other in a bitter battle for supremacy. Terrible consequences loom when the pair escalate their feud, each seeking not just to outwit -- but to destroy -- the other man.
Director
Christopher Nolan
Producer
Aaron Ryder, Emma Thomas
Screenwriter
Jonathan Nolan
Distributor
Buena Vista
Production Co
Newmarket Productions
Rating
PG-13 (Violence|Disturbing Images)
Genre
Drama, Fantasy, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 20, 2006, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 23, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$53.1M
Runtime
2h 10m
Sound Mix
Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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