The Prestige
The Prestige Image
Metascore
66 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 36 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.7 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 416 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
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  • Starring: Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Scarlett Johansson
  • Summary: Christopher Nolan directs this mysterious story of two magicians whose intense rivalry leads them on a life-long battle for supremacy full of obsession, deceit and jealousy with dangerous and deadly consequences. (Touchstone Pictures)

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 36
  3. Negative: 1 out of 36
  1. Charlotte Observer
    Reviewed by: Lawrence Toppman
    100
    To talk more about the movie's layers is to risk giving away too much. I'll say only that this film confirms Nolan's status as the director whose work I look forward to more than any other.
  2. Empire
    Reviewed by: Dan Jolin
    80
    The Prestige traces the course of their bitter feud, as their respective acts of sabotage become ever more deadly.
  3. Seattle Post-Intelligencer
    Reviewed by: Paula Nechak
    58
    If you can forgive some woeful casting and a plot that is as creakingly thin as an old staircase, you can enjoy director Christopher Nolan's The Prestige.
  4. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Mick LaSalle
    25
    Thus, we find ourselves watching an ice-cold movie about competition that contains not a shred of rooting interest.

See all 36 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 114 out of 130
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 130
  3. Negative: 5 out of 130
  1. dosmax
    10
    This is Christopher Nolan at his best. The ending provides a bigger twist than even Momento, and it is an enjoyable watch the entire time. The perspective is interesting because it is either in a variety of intricate ways. Great story, great acting, and great directing; all around an amazing film.… Expand
  2. Tss5078
    8
    The Prestige is vintage Christopher Nolan. A dark, twisted, visually appealing story. I enjoyed this movie a lot, but I must admit, for most of it, I had no idea what was happening. It was a cool story, about two rival magicians trying to discredit one another. While I enjoyed what I was seeing, the story just twisted and turned in ways I couldn't really follow. I know I loved watching it, but afterwards I was still like what the hell? The ending was the most confusing part, not real sure what happened there, maybe one day I'll get it. This film had the star power, one of Hollywood's best directors, and a unique story, but it's going to be hard for a lot of people to follow. I've seen 1000's of films, and it's not often that I get to say, I didn't really get it, especially with something I enjoyed, but I guess Christopher Nolan will do that to ya!… Expand
  3. gp
    5
    It had the actors and twisting plot to keep you interested, but the ending was such a copout that you just feel cheated. Weak.
  4. ArnoldD.
    4
    No quest for prestige but an obsessional orientation born of an ultimate quest for power. The dynamic clear in that the intent , the quest for power, is born of the denial of death. The quest is clear, the movie , boring .… Expand

See all 130 User Reviews

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