The Prestige

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2:26

The Prestige

PG-13

Released Oct 20, 2006

2h 10m

Drama

Fantasy

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

77%

Tomatometer

207 Reviews

92%

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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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Critics Consensus

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

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Graham Fuller

Sight & Sound

Although the film's stunning reveals make the audience realise it has been duped... there is a protagonist to empathise with each time.

Nov 2, 2018

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

It's quite a movie -- atmospheric, obsessive, almost satanic.

Rated: 3/4

Sep 7, 2007

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Brian Tallerico

UGO

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.

Mar 24, 2007

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Sarah Vincent

Sarah G Vincent Views

Plus one of Jackman’s early conceits revealed what a good actor he can be, and we forget because of the body. He actually manages to seem like a different person and almost change the structure of his face in one early scene w

Jan 2, 2025

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Brian Pendreigh

Radio Times

Nolan constructs a fascinating tale that twists and turns at every opportunity, although there is perhaps one twist too many in a slightly overbaked dénouement.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 22, 2024

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Akhil Arora

AkhilArora.com

Nolan looks at how obsession can drive you beyond your limit and destroy everything, even when the simple answer is right in front of you. In the process, he … intentionally crafts an allegory of filmmaking itself.

Oct 17, 2023

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Wyatt S

An eccentric and perfectly scaled performance

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/12/25

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Craig H

I love how it keeps you guessing right until the end, smart twists and turns until the shocking final reveal(even though i did wonder about that silent Bale lookalike all movie). Its crazy the lengths these men go to to one up another its truly a story of fiery obsession and vengeance. Yeah it starts abit slow and some of the science part leaves a little to be desired but overall a really good movie and the whole cast where excellent but Jackman and Bale, top quality performances!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/08/25

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Korra N

An underappreciated classic from auteur Christopher Nolan, The Prestige is a haunting Gothic thriller that blues the line between science & magic, complete with incredible performances, amazing production design, & gripping sound design.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/02/25

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Gary K

Two magicians spend a lifetime trying to outperform each other at any cost. Well cast atmospheric period piece with plenty of twists to keep you engaged.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/29/25

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Frans B

Mind blowing is the word. Stellar performances by extremely capable cast, each seemingly perfect for their individual characters. Intelligent writing. Great directing, naturally, and the cinematography is perfect. Few other movies kept me so fascinated as this one. Surreal ambiance and complex twists and turns. Absolute MUST see

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/26/25

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Audience Member

Amazing movie! Best if you just go in completely blind and watch it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/07/25

Full Review

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Christopher Nolan

Director

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Christian Bale

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The Prestige: Trailer 1

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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: Christopher Nolan, Aaron Ryder, Emma Thomas
Screenwriter: Jonathan Nolan, Christopher 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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