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Inception

  • 2010
  • PG-13
  • 2h 28m
IMDb RATING
8.8/10
2.7M
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
85
12
Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Tom Hardy, Elliot Page, Ken Watanabe, and Dileep Rao in Inception (2010)
A thief who steals corporate secrets through the use of dream-sharing technology is given the inverse task of planting an idea into the mind of a C.E.O.
Play trailer1:45
34 Videos
99+ Photos
Action EpicAdventure EpicEpicPsychological ThrillerSci-Fi EpicActionAdventureSci-FiThriller

A thief who steals corporate secrets through the use of dream-sharing technology is given the inverse task of planting an idea into the mind of a C.E.O., but his tragic past may doom the pro... Read allA thief who steals corporate secrets through the use of dream-sharing technology is given the inverse task of planting an idea into the mind of a C.E.O., but his tragic past may doom the project and his team to disaster.A thief who steals corporate secrets through the use of dream-sharing technology is given the inverse task of planting an idea into the mind of a C.E.O., but his tragic past may doom the project and his team to disaster.

  • Director
    • Christopher Nolan
  • Writer
    • Christopher Nolan
  • Stars
    • Leonardo DiCaprio
    • Joseph Gordon-Levitt
    • Elliot Page
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.8/10
    2.7M
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    85
    12
    • Director
      • Christopher Nolan
    • Writer
      • Christopher Nolan
    • Stars
      • Leonardo DiCaprio
      • Joseph Gordon-Levitt
      • Elliot Page
    • 4.9KUser reviews
    • 476Critic reviews
    • 74Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Top rated movie #14
    • Won 4 Oscars
      • 159 wins & 220 nominations total

    Videos34

    10th Anniversary Dream Trailer
    Trailer 1:45
    10th Anniversary Dream Trailer
    Inception -- Characters
    Trailer 2:03
    Inception -- Characters
    Inception -- Characters
    Trailer 2:03
    Inception -- Characters
    Inception: Trailer #2
    Trailer 2:25
    Inception: Trailer #2
    Inception: Trailer #1
    Trailer 1:23
    Inception: Trailer #1
    Inception: Teaser Trailer
    Trailer 1:05
    Inception: Teaser Trailer
    Inception
    Trailer 1:18
    Inception

    Photos398

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    Top cast89

    Edit
    Leonardo DiCaprio
    Leonardo DiCaprio
    • Cobb
    Joseph Gordon-Levitt
    Joseph Gordon-Levitt
    • Arthur
    Elliot Page
    Elliot Page
    • Ariadne
    • (as Ellen Page)
    Ken Watanabe
    Ken Watanabe
    • Saito
    Tom Hardy
    Tom Hardy
    • Eames
    Dileep Rao
    Dileep Rao
    • Yusuf
    Cillian Murphy
    Cillian Murphy
    • Robert Fischer
    Tom Berenger
    Tom Berenger
    • Browning
    Marion Cotillard
    Marion Cotillard
    • Mal
    Pete Postlethwaite
    Pete Postlethwaite
    • Maurice Fischer
    Michael Caine
    Michael Caine
    • Miles
    Lukas Haas
    Lukas Haas
    • Nash
    Tai-Li Lee
    • Tadashi
    Claire Geare
    Claire Geare
    • Phillipa (3 Years Old)
    Magnus Nolan
    Magnus Nolan
    • James (20 Months Old)
    Taylor Geare
    Taylor Geare
    • Phillipa (5 Years Old)
    Johnathan Geare
    • James (3 Years Old)
    Tohoru Masamune
    Tohoru Masamune
    • Japanese Security Guard
    • Director
      • Christopher Nolan
    • Writer
      • Christopher Nolan
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews4.9K

    8.82682.5K
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    Summary

    Reviewers say 'Inception' is lauded for its ambitious concept and Christopher Nolan's direction. The film's exploration of dreams and reality is a significant theme. Leonardo DiCaprio's performance is praised for its depth. Hans Zimmer's score and Wally Pfister's cinematography enhance the atmosphere. However, some find the plot convoluted and action sequences uninspired, questioning emotional depth and originality. The ambiguous ending is both appreciated and criticized. Overall, 'Inception' is seen as thought-provoking and visually stunning, despite its flaws.
    AI-generated from the text of user reviews

    Featured reviews

    10marcusdean118

    Nolan at his most intelligent best.

    Inception is truly one of a kind. A concept which has long gestated in Christopher Nolan's mind, his eye for drama mixed with his large scale sensibilities ring true in Blockbuster season making Inception a true original in the sea of reboots, remakes and sequels.

    To try and explain Inceptions many plot twists and incredibly intelligent arcs, would be a foolish task. As Nolan himself has been reluctant to. The best way to approach the film would be with an open mind, if you are prepared to be taken on a ride of a lifetime, then trust that you 100% will. If Avatar was a seminal film in technology (although coming out as a rather poor film, in my opinion), then Inception is seminal in it's storytelling. With a 148 minute running time, you would expect a lot to take place, but what you wouldn't expect is the pace of it all. I did not think at one time in the film about how long was left. I was simply blown away by the depth in every single part of the film. If my enthusiasm for the storytelling aspect of the film has left you worried about the spectacle, then don't worry. They are, as hinted in the trailer, incredible, looking real and unbelievable simultaneously. The most pleasing thing about the action set pieces, is that they are genuinely used to illustrate the story, rather than to blow stuff up a la Michael Bay.

    With this complex movie in it's high concept, a stellar cast is needed. And Nolan as always, delivers with just that. This is vintage DiCaprio, perhaps only equalled in The Aviator, which is even more impressive as his role as Cobb in Inception is not a showy one, needing DiCaprio to be the constant at the centre of the film. And he pulls off Cobb's emotional contradictions sublimely. The rest of the cast members all shine in parts of the films, Cillian Murphy shows off his usually non-existent tender side, Gordon-Levitt bottles his usual charm for his confidently reserved turn as the reliable Arthur, Watanabe is devilish as the seemingly ambiguous Saito, Page shows why she's the next big female star and Tom Hardy revels in being the comic relief of the film compared to his recent turns as decidedly psychopathic characters.

    Overall, Nolan has indeed surpassed himself. He has created a world as expansive as his Gotham, a plot dwarfing the intricacies of Memento and one which blows The Prestige's cinematic reveal out of the water. This is truly unmissable cinema. Revel in it, we've still got to wait a whole two years before Batman 3.
    10EVON1TY

    Answering all the questions with one answer: I feel guilt. ⭐

    When I first watch this movie, I was just shocked with it's twist. I'm not gonna mention details, because can't share any spoilers.

    Simply this movie makes a complex story, that makes you question so many things. "Why he is keeping her in his dreams?" or whatever your question is answering with some well written line. That scene is the key to the whole movie. That line between Cobb and Mal answers all your questions at once.

    That's why I like this movie so much. Some movies has that potential. Making a complex story that someone could answer with only one sentence. You're waiting for that line for whole content. But most of the contents (I mean movie or TV Series) are not managing that well.

    Besides the greatness of the storyline this movie has a really great cast. So Acting Performances are also great. Award Winning Cinematography by Wally Pfister was too great. Original Scores by Hans Zimmer was brilliant. Visual Effects are unique. So not only the Screenplay but nearly all the technical details are great.
    8dvc5159

    Sci-fi perfection. A truly mesmerizing film.

    I'm nearly at a loss for words. Just when you thought Christopher Nolan couldn't follow up to "The Dark Knight", he does it again, delivering another masterpiece, one with so much power and rich themes that has been lost from the box office for several years. Questioning illusions vs reality usually makes the film weird, but Nolan grips your attention like an iron claw that you just can't help watching and wondering what will happen next. That is a real powerful skill a director has. No wonder Warner Bros. put their trust in him, he is THAT good of a director, and over-hyping a Christopher Nolan film, no matter what the film is about, is always an understatement instead of an overestimate like MANY films before.

    Not since the eras of Stanley Kubrick, Andrei Tarkovsky and Alfred Hitchcock has there been a more brilliant director than Christopher Nolan. He is, undoubtedly, one of THE most brilliant and gifted Hollywood filmmakers in history. Filmmakers like him come but just once in a lifetime. He has the ability to seduce our eyes, ears and most importantly, mind, and then delivers what he intends to deliver in full blast. Rarely have blockbusters have the gall to deliver such amounts imagination and intelligence at the same time. And yes, it is similar to the excellent anime film "Paprika" in the whole "invading dreams" plot, but the similarities end there as Nolan brings the film to a whole different level.

    Visuals and intelligence rarely come together in movies at the same time, it's either all-visuals-no-smarts ("G.I. Joe", "Transformers") or the exact opposite ("Doubt", "Invictus"). In this film the excellently directed action sequences combined with immensely groundbreaking and jaw-dropping visual effects are combined smoothly with a heavy dose of intelligence and believability.

    Although having an ensemble cast and financed by a Hollywood giant studio (Warner Bros), this film is a very personal film for Nolan, he wrote the film as well as directing it, and as you watch the film you get many glimpses of Nolan's perplexing, increasingly imaginative thoughts and dreams in the dialog that he writes and the plot that he sets up. Ideas have never felt more interesting and put to good use than in this film. This film is NOT for the popcorn muncher, rather it is a film for thinkers. Honestly I can't explain the plot for fear of spoiling the movie for you readers. Even the slightest hint will ruin the experience. The viewer will walk out of the cinema feeling dazed, confused and ultimately breathless. It's like a puzzle, both physically and mentally, and you have to pay attention throughout the film for the clues. However Nolan controls the spectacle of the film and is careful not to let it overwhelm the film's humanity, and this is where "Inception" shines. It is a very deep film that will have one thinking and asking questions for years to come. That's right, years.

    Once the film ends, you'll want to watch it again, for there's something new every time. This is a film that requires multiple viewing for someone to truly comprehend the film's ambiguous themes, and will be discussed by many in the future. This is an original film, no adaptation, no sequel/prequel, no remake/reboot, which is extremely refreshing having gone nearly three years of mostly unremarkable visual effects roadshows ("Avatar" be damned).

    Of course, a film is not complete without the actors. Leo DiCaprio delivers an Oscar worthy performance, similar but better than his previous effort "Shutter Island". He shows glimpses of a flawed, grim, fragile man, who has knowledge about everything else but yet can't seem to come in grips with himself and his demons. Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page, Tom Hardy, Ken Watanabe, Dileep Rao, Cillian Murphy, Tom Berenger, Michael Caine, Marion Cottilard, Pete Postlethwaite, Lukas Haas... Nolan really brings out the best in this unusual yet extremely talented group of supporting actors who make their roles their own.

    Nolan is of course, a master behind the camera, a real virtuoso when it comes to film. His direction is taut, focused, gripping, and extraordinarily fascinating. The detailed and complex original script is no surprise from Nolan, considering the fact that he turned Batman the superhero into pop-culture art two years ago ("The Dark Knight"). The action sequences are unique, exciting and fresh, something absent from the cinema which has since been interested at things popping towards the screen and stuff blowing up every two milliseconds. The visual effects are awesome and imaginative, and best of all they do not bring down the movie's quality one bit, rather it makes the movie more fascinating to watch. The cinematography is absolutely, beautifully shot, so we can see the action and emotion in all their glory. Production design is top notch, with terrific design of sets and locations. Hans Zimmer's complementing music score is simply outstanding, and knowing the man, that's really all I have to say. Together all of these elements combine to deliver a mesmerizing movie experience like no other this year.

    Christopher Nolan has once again outdone himself. He truly is a gifted filmmaker, arguably the most imaginative in Hollywood today. And "Inception" can proudly stand alongside "Blade Runner" and "2001: A Space Odyssey" as science-fiction masterpieces that push the boundaries for movie making and become a different experience altogether.

    There are two types of films: the crowd-pleasing blockbuster and the intelligent indie/art film. Nolan has combined two of these tropes together into one exceptionally brilliant package, pulling off that rare, now nearly-extinct Movie Magic that has since been wiped off the planet by sequelitis and reboots. Movie of Summer 2010? Movie of 2010? Heck this is possibly the first masterpiece of the decade! Nolan is a genius and I applaud him for treating his audiences as intelligent people.

    Missing this film and not getting the film's point is a crime.

    Overall value: 9/10 (Excellent)
    10forzosky

    Generation defining.

    The 20th Century had Casablanca, Star Wars, the Godfather, Blade Runner, and others - this is the first of the 21st Century masterpieces. Truly in awe at how amazing this movie is, an astounding show of all aspects of films. Amazing story and cinematography accompanied with actors worthy of telling the tale. Remarkable and breathtaking.
    10lhbaker-28783

    My number one favorite movie

    Inception is my number one favorite movie off my twelve years on earth! It's absolutely impossible to explain the incredible that Inception has. Inception is Sooooooooo dang exciting, edge of seat, mind blower, and I wish there were more movies like it and more Christopher Nolans out there. Congratulations to the well deserved best director, writer, and producer of films (in my opinion). Also the acting is fabulous, everyone did an amazing job, and Leonardo was fabulous at explaining the dream concept. Also the CGI and effects are amazing. Go watch Inception because it is incredibly amazing in every aspect, and is my number one film of my twelve years on earth. Bravo to the Inception crew and wow at this fabulous movie!

    What to Watch If You Love 'Inception'

    What to Watch If You Love 'Inception'

    Here are three streaming picks that capture the spirit of Christopher Nolan's mind-bending masterpiece in their own way.
    Watch the video
    Editorial Image
    2:47

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In an effort to combat confusion, television broadcasts in Japan include text in the upper-left corner of the screen to remind viewers in which level of the dream a specific scene takes place.
    • Goofs
      When Ariadne and Cobb are at the café, a man in a yellow jacket passes behind Cobb. The camera switches back and forth between Cobb and Ariadne several times. When it switches back to Cobb, the man in the yellow jacket passes once again. The person in the jacket is a projection and based on what the movie explains, projections behave a lot like extras. This means the same projection may reappear like that.
    • Quotes

      Cobb: What is the most resilient parasite? Bacteria? A virus? An intestinal worm? An idea. Resilient... highly contagious. Once an idea has taken hold of the brain it's almost impossible to eradicate. An idea that is fully formed - fully understood - that sticks; right in there somewhere.

    • Crazy credits
      At the end of the credits Édith Piaf's "Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien" plays at normal speed, then slows down to the speed it was at the beginning of the film during Hans Zimmer's score and throughout the movie. Then we see the title stop in the center of the screen as the song ends.
    • Connections
      Edited into The Paul Behragam Talk Show: "Balto" R&T Part 5 (2015)
    • Soundtracks
      Non, je ne Regrette rien
      Music by Charles Dumont

      Lyrics by Michel Vaucaire

      Performed by Édith Piaf

      Courtesy of EMI Music France

      Under license from EMI Film & Television Music

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    FAQ67

    • How long is Inception?Powered by Alexa
    • Is the Michael Caine character Cobb or Mal's father?
    • Why only Cobb brought his own projections (Mal, train, kids) in dreams? Why didn't the others bring own problems/projections in the dreams?
    • How does Cobb know the combination of Saito's safe from the beginning of the movie?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 16, 2010 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • United Kingdom
    • Official sites
      • Warner Bros. (Japan)
      • Warner Bros. (United States)
    • Languages
      • English
      • Japanese
      • French
    • Also known as
      • El origen
    • Filming locations
      • Fortress Mountain, Kananaskis Country, Alberta, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Warner Bros.
      • Legendary Entertainment
      • Syncopy
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $160,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $292,587,330
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $62,785,337
      • Jul 18, 2010
    • Gross worldwide
      • $839,381,898
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 28 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • DTS
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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