Andy Serkis Shares His Favorite Christopher Nolan Movie That Surprises Fans

Andy Serkis has disclosed his top choice for a Christopher Nolan film, and many fans of the director might find his selection surprising.

In a recent interview with Variety, Serkis revealed that his favorite Nolan movie isn’t one of the director’s major box office successes like ‘Oppenheimer’, ‘Interstellar’, or ‘The Dark Knight’. Instead, he chose ‘The Prestige’, the intriguing drama featuring Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman.

Serkis, who starred in the film alongside the iconic musician and actor David Bowie, expressed his fondness for the movie, noting that it’s one of the few projects he enjoys watching repeatedly.

“I actually really love watching that film,” Serkis shared during the interview. “There are very few films that I’m kind of comfortable watching that I’m in. I do think it is one of my favorite films actually. Plus I got to work with David Bowie, of course!”

Released in 2006, ‘The Prestige’ narrates the tale of two rival magicians whose fixation on outdoing each other gradually ruins their personal lives. The film follows Robert Angier, portrayed by Jackman, and Alfred Borden, played by Bale, as their rivalry intensifies and becomes increasingly perilous.

Serkis took on the role of Mr. Alley, the assistant to inventor Nikola Tesla, who was played by Bowie in one of his most memorable performances.

Although ‘The Prestige’ is now regarded as one of Nolan’s finest films by many fans, it didn’t garner the same level of attention as some of his later works. Films like ‘Oppenheimer’, ‘Inception’, and ‘The Dark Knight’ became significant cultural milestones, achieving impressive box office figures, award nominations, and critical acclaim worldwide.

At the time of its release, ‘The Prestige’ had a quieter performance. Industry figures indicate that the film grossed approximately $109 million globally against a reported budget of around $40 million. While these numbers seemed modest compared to Nolan’s later blockbusters, the movie was still deemed profitable.

Critics generally responded positively to the film upon its release, although the reactions were not as overwhelmingly favorable as those for Nolan’s subsequent projects. Currently, the film boasts solid ratings from both critics and audiences. On Rotten Tomatoes, critics awarded it a 77% score, while audiences rated it significantly higher with a 92% audience score from hundreds of thousands of viewers. Metacritic also gave the film a respectable score of 66.

Many reviewers lauded the film’s clever writing, dark ambiance, and strong performances from Bale and Jackman. Critics also emphasized Nolan’s direction and the film’s intricate storytelling, particularly its ending, which became one of the movie’s most discussed aspects.

Over the years, ‘The Prestige’ has evolved into a fan favorite within Nolan’s filmography. Many viewers now consider it one of his most underrated works due to its emotional narrative, complex themes, and unexpected twists.

The film also distinguished itself as it was released during a pivotal time in Nolan’s career. It came out between ‘Batman Begins’ and ‘The Dark Knight’, prior to Nolan becoming renowned for crafting massive blockbuster films with substantial budgets.

Today, ‘The Prestige’ continues to receive appreciation from audiences, and Serkis’ recent comments have reignited discussions online about whether the film deserves greater recognition among Christopher Nolan’s best works.

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