Knives Out Creator Rian Johnson Calls Christopher Nolan’s Underrated Thriller a ‘Perfect Movie’

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Despite mixed reactions to his work on Star Wars, Rian Johnson is enjoying great success with his Knives Out mystery series. Before the release of his newest film, Wake Up Dead Man, he publicly praised the work of other directors, like Christopher Nolan.

While promoting his new movie in the Benoit Blanc mystery series, the director also shared some of his favorite films. He praised Steven Spielberg’s work, particularly highlighting one film as having a perfect ending, and discussed his admiration for Stanley Kubrick. When asked about Christopher Nolan, he chose a lesser-known gem: the 2006 film The Prestige.

Christopher Nolan has directed many acclaimed films, and his more recent work often stands out as his best. Movies like Oppenheimer (2023), Dunkirk (2020), Interstellar (2014), and Inception (2010) are particularly celebrated, though his Dark Knight trilogy is also frequently mentioned.

People often forget about the 2006 film The Prestige, but not director Rian Johnson. When asked which Christopher Nolan movie he liked best, he said, “Definitely The Prestige.”

He shared that it feels like almost any movie you pick will be good, and recently rewatching Interstellar proved that to him – it’s still an amazing and deeply moving film. He also praised The Prestige, calling it a perfect movie among several other excellent films by the same director.

This acclaimed film, nominated for two Oscars, boasts a fantastic cast. It tells the story of two competing magicians – Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale – who become rivals while trying to master an impossible teleportation trick.

In addition to the main stars, the film features a strong supporting cast including Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson, Rebecca Hall, Andy Serkis, and David Bowie as Nikola Tesla. The Prestige was well-received by critics and earned $109 million globally on a $40 million budget. It currently holds a 77% ‘Certified Fresh’ rating from critics and a remarkable 92% audience score. Despite its quality, many consider it one of Christopher Nolan’s most overlooked films, likely because it came out between two installments of The Dark Knight trilogy.

What’s Next for Rian Johnson & Christopher Nolan?

Following his Best Director Oscar win for Oppenheimer, the director is starting a new, large-scale film project: The Odyssey. This adaptation of the classic Greek story will star Matt Damon, a frequent collaborator, and marks the director’s first historical epic. Notably, the movie will be shot entirely using IMAX cameras, a first for any film.

Daniel Craig is reprising his role as Detective Benoit Blanc in the next Knives Out movie, officially titled Wake Up Dead Man. Following a delay, the third installment in the popular murder mystery series will be released soon. The film boasts a fantastic cast, including Josh O’Connor, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Andrew Scott, and Jeremy Renner, among others.

The new movie, Wake Up Dead Man, will be shown in some theaters starting November 26th, and will then be available on Netflix beginning December 12th. You can currently rent or buy The Prestige from online stores.

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2025-11-22 21:36