Every Christopher Nolan Movie, Ranked

3. The Prestige (2006)

The Prestige is far from Nolan's showiest or grandest productions, but it's certainly one of his most economically paced and genuinely surprising. It has all you expect going in - brilliant men torn apart by jealousy and greed, twists that rip the ground from under you - but Nolan always keeps its emotions fresh and twists left-field. 

Following the bitter rivalry of two magicians desperate to unlock each other's secrets (Christian Bale and a never-better Hugh Jackman), The Prestige revels in the despair of its characters as they find more questions than answers, and rips more of their souls away as their conflict intensifies.

Like many of Nolan's greatest works, The Prestige benefits from repeat viewings, the depth and heartbreak of its drama intensifying the more attention you offer it, but nothing will ever beat that first-time watch.

You think you know who's the villain, who will win, how they'll fall, but you don't: The Prestige defies expectation at every turn, and Nolan makes it look easy, much like a great magic trick.