Christopher Nolan’s 2006 film The Prestige is a masterclass in storytelling and misdirection. Featuring stellar performances by Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman as rival magicians in 19th century London, the movie keeps audiences spellbound with its complex plot, unreliable narrators, and shocking twists. If you loved The Prestige and are craving more movies that will play tricks on your mind, here are 18 brilliant films that are sure to do the trick.
1. The Illusionist (2006)
The Illusionist is a captivating period drama set in early 20th century Vienna. The film follows Eisenheim (Edward Norton), a talented magician who uses his skills to win back his lost love, Sophie (Jessica Biel), from the clutches of the powerful Crown Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell).
Like The Prestige, this movie delves into the world of stage magic and illusion, showcasing the intense rivalry between Eisenheim and Leopold. Norton delivers a mesmerizing performance as the enigmatic illusionist, keeping viewers guessing until the very end. The Illusionist is a beautifully crafted film that will appeal to fans of The Prestige‘s blend of mystery, romance, and the supernatural.
2. Now You See Me (2013)
Now You See Me is a fast-paced heist thriller with a magical twist. The movie follows “The Four Horsemen,” a team of illusionists who pull off a series of daring bank robberies during their performances, all while staying one step ahead of the FBI and Interpol.
With a star-studded cast including Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, and Dave Franco as the magicians, along with Mark Ruffalo and Morgan Freeman as the law enforcement officials on their trail, Now You See Me is a thrilling ride from start to finish. The film’s clever plot twists and dazzling magic sequences make it a must-watch for fans of The Prestige.
3. Death Defying Acts (2007)
Death Defying Acts is a fictionalized account of Harry Houdini’s (Guy Pearce) encounter with a Scottish psychic, Mary McGarvie (Catherine Zeta-Jones), during his 1926 tour of Britain. As Mary and her daughter (Saoirse Ronan) attempt to con Houdini, a romantic entanglement develops between the magician and the psychic.
Set against the backdrop of 1920s London, this period drama shares The Prestige‘s fascination with the world of magic and illusion. While Death Defying Acts may not reach the same heights as The Prestige, it offers a compelling exploration of the blurred lines between reality and deception.
4. The Sixth Sense (1999)
The Sixth Sense is a chilling supernatural thriller that follows child psychologist Dr. Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis) as he tries to help a troubled young boy, Cole Sear (Haley Joel Osment), who claims to see ghosts. As Malcolm delves deeper into Cole’s mysterious abilities, he begins to question his own perception of reality.
Renowned for its shocking twist ending, The Sixth Sense shares The Prestige‘s ability to keep audiences guessing until the final reveal. Osment delivers a haunting performance as the tormented Cole, while Willis brings depth and nuance to his role as the skeptical psychologist. This classic thriller is a must-see for fans of The Prestige‘s mind-bending storytelling.
5. Memento (2000)
Christopher Nolan’s Memento is a groundbreaking neo-noir thriller that tells the story of Leonard Shelby (Guy Pearce), a man with anterograde amnesia who is searching for his wife’s killer. The film’s unique non-linear narrative structure, which unfolds in reverse chronological order, keeps viewers constantly questioning the nature of memory and identity.
Like The Prestige, Memento showcases Nolan’s mastery of complex storytelling and psychological manipulation. Pearce delivers a tour-de-force performance as the enigmatic Leonard, while the film’s innovative structure and thought-provoking themes make it a classic of the genre. Memento is essential viewing for fans of The Prestige‘s mind-bending narrative.
6. Shutter Island (2010)
Martin Scorsese’s Shutter Island is a gripping psychological thriller set in 1954. The film follows U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) as he investigates the disappearance of a patient from a remote psychiatric facility on Shutter Island. As Teddy delves deeper into the mystery, he begins to question his own sanity and the true nature of the island.
With its atmospheric setting, haunting visuals, and powerful performances from DiCaprio and co-star Mark Ruffalo, Shutter Island is a masterclass in psychological horror. Like The Prestige, the film keeps viewers guessing until its shocking final reveal, making it a must-watch for fans of mind-bending thrillers.
7. Inception (2010)
Christopher Nolan’s Inception is a visually stunning sci-fi thriller that explores the world of dream manipulation. The film follows Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio), a skilled thief who specializes in stealing secrets from people’s subconscious minds. When he is offered a chance to regain his old life in exchange for planting an idea in someone’s mind, Cobb assembles a team for the ultimate heist.
With its intricate plot, jaw-dropping visual effects, and all-star cast, Inception is a cinematic tour-de-force that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Like The Prestige, the film showcases Nolan’s mastery of complex storytelling and psychological manipulation, making it a must-see for fans of mind-bending thrillers.
8. The Departed (2006)
Martin Scorsese’s The Departed is a gritty crime thriller set in Boston. The film follows two men on opposite sides of the law: Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio), an undercover cop infiltrating the Irish mob, and Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon), a mole in the police department working for the same mob boss. As they navigate their dangerous double lives, a deadly game of cat-and-mouse ensues.
With its star-studded cast, including Jack Nicholson as the ruthless mob boss, The Departed is a masterclass in suspense and psychological tension. Like The Prestige, the film keeps viewers guessing until its shocking final reveal, making it a must-watch for fans of complex crime thrillers.
9. The Game (1997)
David Fincher’s The Game is a psychological thriller that follows wealthy investment banker Nicholas Van Orton (Michael Douglas) as he becomes embroiled in a mysterious game that blurs the lines between reality and fiction. When his brother Conrad (Sean Penn) gives him a birthday gift voucher for a company called Consumer Recreation Services, Nicholas finds himself drawn into a dangerous world where nothing is as it seems.
With its twisting plot, dark humor, and powerful performances from Douglas and Penn, The Game is a classic of the genre that will keep viewers guessing until the very end. Like The Prestige, the film explores themes of obsession, manipulation, and the nature of reality, making it a must-see for fans of mind-bending thrillers.
10. The Machinist (2004)
The Machinist is a psychological thriller that follows Trevor Reznik (Christian Bale), a factory worker struggling with severe insomnia and psychological problems. As Trevor’s mental state deteriorates, he becomes embroiled in a series of mysterious events that blur the lines between reality and delusion.
Bale’s haunting performance, for which he famously lost a significant amount of weight, anchors the film’s unsettling atmosphere. Like The Prestige, The Machinist explores themes of obsession, guilt, and the fragility of the human mind, making it a must-watch for fans of psychological thrillers.
11. The Best Offer (2013)
The Best Offer is an Italian psychological thriller that follows Virgil Oldman (Geoffrey Rush), a wealthy and eccentric antiques dealer who becomes obsessed with a reclusive young heiress named Claire (Sylvia Hoeks). As Virgil attempts to catalog Claire’s priceless art collection, he finds himself drawn into a complex web of deceit and manipulation.
With its lush visuals, haunting score, and powerful performances from Rush and Hoeks, The Best Offer is a beautifully crafted thriller that will keep viewers guessing until its shocking final reveal. Like The Prestige, the film explores themes of obsession, deception, and the blurred lines between reality and illusion.
12. Donnie Darko (2001)
Donnie Darko is a mind-bending sci-fi thriller that follows the titular character (Jake Gyllenhaal), a troubled teenager who begins experiencing visions of a man in a rabbit suit named Frank. As Donnie navigates the complexities of time travel and alternate realities, he uncovers a dark conspiracy that threatens the fabric of the universe.
With its surreal visuals, haunting soundtrack, and powerful performances from Gyllenhaal and co-stars Jena Malone and Patrick Swayze, Donnie Darko is a cult classic that will leave viewers questioning the nature of reality. Like The Prestige, the film explores themes of destiny, sacrifice, and the consequences of our choices.
13. The Others (2001)
The Others is a chilling supernatural thriller set in post-World War II Jersey. The film follows Grace Stewart (Nicole Kidman), a devoutly religious mother who lives in a remote mansion with her two photosensitive children. When a trio of mysterious servants arrives at the house, strange occurrences begin to plague the family, forcing Grace to confront the dark secrets of her past.
With its eerie atmosphere, stunning cinematography, and powerful performance from Kidman, The Others is a masterclass in gothic horror. Like The Prestige, the film keeps viewers guessing until its shocking final reveal, making it a must-watch for fans of supernatural thrillers.
14. Primal Fear (1996)
Primal Fear is a gripping legal thriller that follows defense attorney Martin Vail (Richard Gere) as he takes on the case of Aaron Stampler (Edward Norton), a young altar boy accused of murdering a prominent archbishop. As Martin delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a complex web of deceit and manipulation that threatens to destroy both his career and his life.
With its twisting plot, powerful performances from Gere and Norton, and shocking final reveal, Primal Fear is a classic of the genre that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Like The Prestige, the film explores themes of deception, obsession, and the blurred lines between truth and illusion.
15. The Usual Suspects (1995)
The Usual Suspects is a neo-noir crime thriller that follows a group of criminals who are brought together for a police lineup and subsequently hired for a dangerous heist. As the plot unfolds through a series of flashbacks and unreliable narration, the true identity of the mastermind behind the crime, the legendary Keyser Söze, becomes increasingly unclear.
With its complex plot, iconic performances from Kevin Spacey and Gabriel Byrne, and one of the most famous twist endings in cinema history, The Usual Suspects is a must-watch for fans of The Prestige‘s mind-bending storytelling. The film’s exploration of identity, deception, and the nature of truth make it a classic of the genre.
16. The Butterfly Effect (2004)
The Butterfly Effect is a sci-fi thriller that follows Evan Treborn (Ashton Kutcher), a young man who discovers he has the ability to travel back in time and change events from his troubled past. As Evan attempts to alter the course of his life and the lives of those around him, he begins to realize that even the smallest changes can have devastating consequences.
With its mind-bending premise, powerful performances from Kutcher and co-stars Amy Smart and Ethan Suplee, and thought-provoking exploration of fate and free will, The Butterfly Effect is a must-watch for fans of The Prestige‘s psychological storytelling. The film’s dark themes and shocking twists make it a standout in the sci-fi thriller genre.
17. The Thirteenth Floor (1999)
The Thirteenth Floor is a sci-fi neo-noir that follows Douglas Hall (Craig Bierko), a computer scientist who becomes embroiled in a murder mystery that spans the real world and a virtual reality simulation of 1937 Los Angeles. As Douglas navigates the blurred lines between reality and simulation, he begins to question his own identity and the nature of his existence.
With its mind-bending premise, stunning visuals, and powerful performances from Bierko and co-stars Gretchen Mol and Vincent D’Onofrio, The Thirteenth Floor is a hidden gem of the sci-fi thriller genre. Like The Prestige, the film explores themes of identity, perception, and the consequences of playing God.
18. eXistenZ (1999)
David Cronenberg’s eXistenZ is a surreal sci-fi thriller that follows Allegra Geller (Jennifer Jason Leigh), a famous game designer who becomes the target of assassins after the release of her latest virtual reality game, eXistenZ. As Allegra and her bodyguard, Ted Pikul (Jude Law), navigate the dangerous world of the game, the lines between reality and virtual reality begin to blur, leading to a mind-bending exploration of identity, perception, and the nature of existence.
With its bizarre visuals, unsettling atmosphere, and powerful performances from Leigh and Law, eXistenZ is a must-watch for fans of The Prestige‘s psychological storytelling. The film’s exploration of the blurred lines between reality and illusion, as well as its commentary on the dangers of technology, make it a standout in Cronenberg’s filmography and a classic of the sci-fi thriller genre.
If you’re a fan of The Prestige and its intricate plot machinations, these 18 movies offer similar pleasures. From sci-fi head trips to psychological thrillers to neo-noir mysteries, they all use non-linear storytelling, unreliable narrators, and shocking twists to keep audiences on their toes. So sit back, pay close attention, and prepare to have your mind well and truly bent. And remember – the magic is in the mystery.
