Home
Creators
Search Recent Random
Posts
Search DMs Popular Hash Lookup Tags Random
Importer
Import FAQ
Register Favorites Keys Review DMs Logout
Community
Telegram ThePornDude
Home Creators Posts Import Register Favorites Logout

The Prestige (2006) - Full Reaction (Patreon)

Published:
2024-06-30 06:33:33
Edited:
2026-08-19 23:04:07
Imported:
2026-06
Tags:

Content

⚡Auto-Sync (Prime Video) | 🎬 Requests | 🍿 Pick-A-Flick | ▶️ YouTube | 💻 Watch/Download

Wow!!! No words... you'll just have to watch the reaction! Direct link. Find your own copy. Download this reaction.

Files

The Prestige (2006) - Full Reaction - Popcorn In Bed

Watch the full reaction to The Prestige on Popcorn In Bed.

Comments

Tom Furze

Thank you Cassie. Been looking forward to this one.

djKENTO

well tonight just got interesting.

Wes

Abbacadabra!

JFC

One of the things this movie brings up is what is called the transporter problem, a thought exercise about how the transporters from Star Trek work. ***Prestige-adjacent Spoilers ahead*** Basically, the idea is this: Captain Kirk steps on the transporter pad, the transporter disintegrates him down to the atomic level, saves that data as a "pattern", sends the pattern, and reintegrates the pattern into Captain Kirk. But is it the same Kirk? It has all the memories of the one that stepped into the transporter, but what if it's just a copy and the original previous one was just zapped out of existence. What if Kirk stepped on that pad, saw the shimmering light and then stopped existing and the one that beamed down to the planet is just a new copy with all his memories, right down to the shimmering transporter light before the other was killed? Does the transporter transfer his soul, or is it just a death machine? ***Spoilers for The Prestige ahead*** In The Prestige, Hugh Jackman's character Danton goes on the stage each night and kills himself. He stands on the stage while a copy of him is created, the copy materializes in the balcony while he falls through a trap door into a water box to drown. So every night the most recent copy, with all the memories of the original Danton - and every copy since - makes a new copy and dies. It's a more tactile version of the transporter problem, where the "original's" body is just drowned instead of disintegrated. Getting back to Star Trek, the "real" James T Kirk would have died the first time he used a transporter and the rest of Kirk's life is lived out by a series of copies that die and replicate over and over and over. See also, The Ship of Theseus - If a wooden ship goes to sea for years and over that time all the sails, the hull, the deck boards, masts, every nail and every other piece on the ship get replaced due to wear, when that ship returns home is it the same ship if it has none of the original parts? If not, when did it cease to be the original?

Damien beatty

Loved this movie when it came out in theaters and I told everyone to see it, but over time for me it has lost its luster. The brightest spot for me in the film is the absolutely first-rate performer David Bowie. Bowie always goes all in and gives an astounding show. I do still like this movie it is just not that rewatchable due to its' plot.

JFC

Another magician movie that came out around the same time as this was The Illusionist, starring Edward Norton and Jessica Biel. It has more of a love story than The Prestige You’d probably like it too.

JL_83

Wolverine, Batman, Alfred Pennyworth, Natasha Romanoff, Maya Hansen, and Ulysses Klaue all together in a Christopher Nolan movie…how can you resist? 😂

David Collins

I agree with you to a great degree, however it's the kind of movie that is great to share with someone who's never seen it. Watching other people react to it is really fun.

Chris B.

Congrats Cassie! Now that you have seen The Prestige, you joined a somewhat exclusive club. By far it is Chris Nolans best movie IMO, that just gets better with each subsequent viewing. And how could he ever top having the late, great and legendary David Bowie playing Nikola Tesla?

Shehab Dawoud

Pre-2008 Nolan was a great director.

Jacob King

One of my very favourite movies. It grows with multiple watches. Little things like Olivia saying “you could be in another restaurant at this moment” just appeal to me. Worth remembering that the Nolans are a brother act, especially at this time, with one writing and the other directing. The magician they work for at the start is the legendary Ricky Jay who spent a lot of his career consulting in movies that involved magic or cards or con artists. Magicians were a big deal back in the late 19th, early twentieth century. Chung Ling Soo was a real (white American) guy. Houdini was the biggest celebrity in the world at the time of his death but he was at the very end of the golden age of magic. Tesla was also a real guy and Edison was, indeed, the worst.

Jacob King

I don’t personally feel that way but you are kind of proving the point about people losing interest once they know how the trick is done.

Clay F

This was my first watch of the movie. [I have watched a few times The Illusionist (2006) you mentioned.] You seemed sad, somewhat confused, and disturbed, but mostly sad -- essentially the entire movie. I was sad and confused. The Nolan misdirection was striking/creative and I guess intentionally disorienting. My confusion distracted me from being fully absorbed in the movie. Yet, the movie was definitely mesmerizing to me at times. Had a mysterious and intricate feel about it, but with the plot not pleasant and somewhat drawn out to me. Muddled. Gloomy. Grim. The two protagonists seemingly one-dimensional, which I guess is a point of the movie. Two calculating individuals each with only one primary aim or purpose. You appeared content in the outro and had positive thoughts about the two leads and Nolan. I like Nolan. I am a fan of both Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman. I like the way the movie delved into the issue of obsession. I like that David Bowie is in the movie. Can't escape that the two magicians are cold and underhanded, and that pervades the entire movie. My favorite aspect of the movie is the acting by Jackman and Bale. I liked Scarlett Johansson too. I am still processing the reveals at the end, which are wild. For my personal taste, I rate the movie at 7/10. By the way, I liked Rebecca Hall in "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" (2008) and "The Town" (2010). I am a fan of the Nolan Dark Knight trilogy.

Matt

One of my favourite movies of all time.

Just Plain Bob

Cassie, regarding Danton’s solution to The Transporting Man trick, the creation of the duplicate. It is generally assumed that the “original” is the one that fell into the water tank and drowned and that, with each subsequent iteration of the trick, the survivor of the last trick is drowned. I don’t believe we know that to be the case. If you listen closely to what Danton said at the end, he declares that it took great courage for him to step into the machine each night not knowing whether it was himself or his duplicate that would fall into the tank and drown. Because, a true duplicate would have no idea whether he was the original or a copy. So, the Danton that was shot and died at the end may have been the original or it may have been the most recent copy. In regard to Tesla, I thought I heard Cassie ask if Elon Musk got the idea for the name of the car from the character in this movie. I hope I misheard and that she realizes that Nikola Tesla was a real person and invented the alternating current method of generating electricity. Thomas Edison then undermined Tesla, lying and claiming that alternating current was dangerous when it was actually safer than his own direct current method. As “evidence” of his claims, he electrocuted and killed an elephant, claiming it died as the result of Tesla’s alternating current method of electricity generation. History now shows that Tesla was a genius and that Edison was, indeed, the worst. Finally, Cassie seemed confused as to when/how Danton injured his leg. If you go to the point in the film where Borden subverts Danton’s trick, you will see that he removed the padding from the floor so that Danton fell directly onto the hard wood floor. He cries out and grabs his knee. After, that he’s forced to wear the knee brace.

Mike Lemon

Now you need to watch it about half a dozen more times. Each time you will see something new.

Gábor Árki

Well, that was quite a reaction. It wasn't great to see Cassie mostly sad throughout the movie, but the ending made up for that. I believe this period with The Prestige (2006), The Dark Knight (2008), and Inception (2010), marks the peak of Nolan's career (so far). The Prestige is a dark and poignant tale of obsession, executed masterfully. What stands out most to me about this movie is that it never truly conceals its twist. On the contrary, it hints at it from the very beginning with the first birdcage act and repeatedly throughout the plot. On a second viewing, the numerous hints become so apparent: the interactions between Borden and Fallon, the appearances of Fallon, the "not today" conversations, and more. Yet the audience doesn't grasp it until the very end. I wonder if someone realized it during their first watch. Regarding The Illusionist (2006), it is also a good movie. One way to determine if you've seen it is whether you remember something about an orange tree.

Mojo One Thousand

I thought Cassie wondered how he hurt is leg (can't remember the timing), but my brain processed it for a second, and I realised that she was wondering why he leg was still hurt - and like Bale's fingers it helps to identify timing in the story and who the characters are, e.g. in the prison in the end "Borden's" child is walking with "Lord Cawdlow", who is walking with a cane, so if you are eagle eyed enough you can realise that it is "Robert Angiers/The Great Danton".

James

The illusionist is sadly an overlooked gem

Scott Macaulay

I think your reaction to the movie was the one Nolan was going for. You look like you actually witnessed an amazing magic trick irl. If you research the Edison/Tesla history I think you’ll find some real life intrigue and drama that explains much of the story. Btw that was David Bowie as Tesla. Great reaction as always.

Blake Evans

This is one of those films that only gets better with repeat viewings. Ive been watching it since 2006 and still pick up little innuendos and secrets. The last one was at the beginning of the film when he says" We were two men at the start of a career. Two men who never intended to hurt anyone." He's not talking about himself and Angier... Or the fact that the title card actually spoils the film. But even more, the way the film is designed as a magic trick with a Pledge, a Turn, and a Prestige. It also deals with great themes of obsession, duality ( Chung Ling Soo was an actual 19th century English magician that pretended to be Chinese for his magic act), and the nature of self as both men where never able to be their true selves (Angier was always Caudlow. Speaking with his wife she says "But you are pretending to be someone else.") but were completely devoted to the service of their craft. One of my all time favorite films. I could go on for many, many pages that no one wants to read lol.

Uncle Phoenix

Here is a different point of view. I didn’t like it the first time; then I realized that the movie Its self is a piece of misdirection; the story “directs” the viewer to notice the PROCESS of a magic trick from the Audience’s point of view. However, the subtext is the PROCESS from the magicians point of view; and how Sacrifice and Pain is “The Real” PRESTIGE for the Magician.

Mojo One Thousand

"Mindbending" it was the first thing I was going to write and then you said in your outro Cassie. Pretty sure it bends most people's mind the first time they see it, I know I thought that. This is one of my favourite Nolan films, with "Inception" and "The Dark Knight" in the mix as well. This did seem to be an intersection of a few things that Cassie does find distressing, so it was quite visceral for her. The treatment of the daughter and the wife, and someone being wrongfully accused. It did underscore these things a little bit more than previously with this movie. I think I may have thought that it was going to be a bumpy ride, when it was revealed who the daughter was related to. There are a couple of knit-picks that I usually have, but they're easy not get wrapped up in. Cassie asked "why didn't they just spend the time with the woman they loved instead of switching", this may have been easier said than done, as there was a bit of effort to switch to "Fallon", and so they could just drop what they were doing, and not having the risk of the both brother out in public. And, why did "Angiers" keep all of the evidence of his trick instead of disposing of it (he really only needed one tank), I put this down to plot, making the reveal more dramatic, having all the tanks still around is an easier way of reinforcing the commitment/sacrifice that "Angiers" had to his craft, which what his final speech was all about. As others have said, Tesla was a real person was handy with electricity, and Edison was a jerk to anybody he deemed a competitor to his work... which is a nice real life parallel to the two(ish) main characters that are constantly undermining each other for competitive advantage. "The not Hugh Jackman" running comment at the beginning I thought was funny, as not only was it Hugh Jackman, but he also played the part of "Gerald Root" so I thought if she doesn't think "Angiers" is Hugh Jackman, what is Cassie going to think of "Gerald Root". I actually laughed out loud when he was recognised, as it took a while... maybe because he didn't have the "Wolverine" hair in this one. I did think to myself if only CPR existed in the late 1800s then Piper Perabo's ("Coyote Ugly") character may have had a chance to survived and then Cassie started screaming out "do CPR!?!". Michael Caine is the man from "Miss Congenialty", can't remember the last time he was on the channel, but he is a consistent collaborator with Christopher Nolan probably starting with "Batman Begins" as "Alfred" to Christian Bale's "Batman/Bruce Wayne" which came out the year before "The Prestige". Always good to see to the late Roger Rees who was "Lord Caldlow's" attorney. He was "The Sheriff of Rottingham" in "Robin Hood: Men in Tights" and "Lord John Marbury" in "The West Wing" (both of which Cassie has seen), but I think the first thing I saw him in was "Cheers" as "Robin Colcord", when I was a kid.

Grégory Gautier

In Woody Allen's "Scoop," Hugh Jackman was interesting, but in this movie, his talent is 👌. I am curious to see your reaction, Cassie!

Tara ✨💫

I remember this movie being REALLY good, but I can only remember a few things. I look forward to watching it again with you.

David Freese

She’s seen the Illusionist already. That’s why it took her so long to see this because she kept mixing the two movies up

Popcorn In Bed

oh my gosh!! thank you for this info, i need to watch again

Brent Petty

She actually even mentioned that she'd seen The Illusionist in her intro.

Brent Petty

It is one of his best. My favorite of his is still Inception.

Brent Petty

Yes, Thomas Edison sucked.

Daniel Karlsson

Great movie, great reaction. Now on to Nolans other movies you havent seen. Also looking forward to There will be blood.

Blake Evans

Definitely watch it again when you get a chance. Totally different movie!

Stick Figure Studios

I've wondered this about the transporter/Theseus problem too. Heck, you don't even need a transporter or ship. We human beings sted so many cells a day that after a while, we technically have a "whole new body." Can we really get called the "same" person at age 80 that we were at age 8? Obviously there is continuuty, but I'm not do sure.

Stick Figure Studios

This is arguably Nolan's best movie I think. It's the one film I ever saw in the theater where I wanted to just turm right around and go back inside to watch it again. So glad you got to see it. Great reaction. Very interested to see you watch THERE WILL BE BLOOD. That will be quite an experience.

Steve Mercier

One of my all-time favorites...very cool.

JFC

There's an apocryphal scientific proposition that our bodies rejuvenate so many cells that after 7 years we aren't the same person, that all the cells in our bodies have been shed and replaced over that time. I can remember a biology teacher in high school telling me about the 7 years thing, but it's a myth that has been proven false. Most of our cells rejuvenate, but a lot of the ones in our brain, heart, and eyes are with us our entire lives. I agree with you though, we change so much we can hardly be considered the same person at the end of our lives.

Mark Vaderr

This is pretty much what I expected you to say about this movie, Cassie.

kaiielle

I'm about to load this up and watch it. For those curious, my two picks for the poll were The Prestige and Sunshine. I loved seeing the Sunshine love in the comments on the Mod Poll! And I'm happy for a fellow mod that the runner-up will be watched too. 😊 Thank you Cassie for letting us create a poll! It was so much fun.

YodatheHobbit

Watched this many times. After today's re-watch I've come to the realization that neither of the main characters of this movie are the protagonists. Both are antagonists. The protagonists are Jess and Sarah, trying to live simple normal lives, yet one doesn't succeed and Jess only has success at the last minute. Luckily for her, the irregularities of her life which she had mostly went over her head. One could imagine a different version of this story told from Jess's POV would be quite interesting. I wonder if she ever privately and silently suspected that she had 2 daddies.

Brent Petty

Michael Caine is in seven Nolan films I can think of: Prestige, Dark Knight trilogy, Inception, Interstellar, and Tenet.

Terry Yelmene

The poor women of this tragedy of obsessive revenge and vengeance... (even Cassie) "The Man is STILL ALIVE!!!" ",,,and yet, I don't want 'him' to die either." "... Wait! Hold On!" "He killed himself every night!" "Abracadabra."

D. T. Nelson

This is only the second time I have watched this movie. The first time was so disturbing to me I couldn't bring myself to watch it again until now. The expression on your face for the last part of the movie mirrored my emotions from my original viewing. Brilliant movie. Deeply disturbing.

SeanATX

Can we get another Nolan reaction soon?….Oppenheimer!

MikeLL

Yes, the twin brother that lived said he was the one who loved Sarah, so he was the real father of Jess. I do like the way this movie is constructed, Nolan performs his film making as a literal magician's trick with his film. Cassie's outro where she pieces the whole film together is one of her best outro's ever. And calling Michael Caine "the guy from Miss Congeniality" is one of Cassie's funniest.

WestBound

This is like my 5th watch of the movie and I'm still finding new things

Björn Von Knorring

Great reaction. I thought you eere going to be more upset about Bordens infidelity with Sarah. I have seen reactions to this where they have been very upset about that

Larry Darrell

What I find interesting is that regardless who the original Danton is when he is performing the trick on stage, after he performs the trick the first time for Mr. Ackerman… the One True Original Danton is most certainly murdered. The first time Danton uses the machine, the Danton in the box shoots the transported Danton. Every use of the machine afterwards, the murder is reversed.

Larry Darrell

I never realized just how tragic the story was until I saw your reaction. Much like Vertigo (1958), The Prestige is the definition of “Tragedy,” but done in such an entertaining way, that you don’t realize how sad the story is, because you’re so invested in the Mystery of it. I hope you do watch it again, and now that you know the outcome, hopefully you can enjoy the Spectacle of it a little more.

Larry Darrell

Roger Rees will forever be, Augustus Steranko, from If Looks Could Kill (1991)… Bond Villaining it up alongside Linda Hunt’s Ilsa Grunt.

Tyler Foster

The reason that they change places, as far as I can tell, is because Borden does not want to risk the chance of being found out. He says at the end that they use the performance each night to switch places, and I can only guess is that he feels it is too big of a risk to change back more than is necessary, so they have to flip places for 24 hours over and over again (there is the scene of Cutter scolding the fake Angier/Danton to get out of wardrobe, as a bit of an example of what Borden might be worried about). I do think the movie could make that reasoning (or, if that's an incorrect interpretation of the movie) clearer, so the audience understands why they *have* to switch, because that would be my first question too.

Mike Cummins

Ah The Prestige. Great flick. Or as I like to call it Batman vs Wolverine if they were both Dr. Strange. Lol

Tinkerbell

Hey Cassie, not sure if anyone pointed this out yet, but the guy who played Tesla that you said looked familiar? That was the late, great David Bowie. Love this movie-Christopher Nolan is something of a movie magician himself! I think it would be great for you watch Oppenheimer sometime soon, if you have not already done so. It’s a little long, but very good.

Cole Jennett

Surprised me a bit too. That’s quite understandably one of her biggest hangup’s.

Steve Mercier

I'm incredibly impressed with your recap...well done. Love this movie. Easily my favorite Nolan movie, even after Oppenheimer.

Larry Darrell

When Cassie wondered if Elon got the name Tesla from this film, my eyes got real big. Woah! Time Out! Cassie… if you find the time, please look up Nikola Tesla, One of the Greatest Scientific Minds…. Ever. It is widely suspected that Edison’s men (goons) were the ones who burned down Tesla’s Workshop. Edison operated like the Mob in some ways. He was very controlling and wanted total power over the inventions that he had invested in. Another interesting story is of how Thomas Edison’s “business practices” may be why Hollywood was based in California and not Florida. https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2021/03/thomas-edison-the-unintentional-founder-of-hollywood/ Not just the kindly generous inventor of the Light Bulb. ;-) ————————- To comment on why the Borden that loved Sarah could not always be with Sarah… If that Borden was always with Sarah, every night, then the other Borden would always have to be Fallon. One of them would wind up being Fallon most of the time. You have to remember the “Total Devotion.” If it was ever found out that one Borden was with Olivia, on the same night, that another Borden was with Sarah, then the illusion would have been lost. Neither of them wanted to be Fallon, but they knew that that was the sacrifice. They had to share this sacrifice. ———————- The guy from Miss Congeniality… Michael Caine. Let’s go back a ways shall we… before Miss Congeniality. 1960s Spy, Harry Palmer… The Ipcress File (1965) Funeral in Berlin (1966) Billion Dollar Brain (1967) The original The Italian Job (1969) Get Carter (1971)… Classic London Gangster flick. The Man Who Would Be King (1975)… Rudyard Kipling tale, with Sean Connery. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988)… Classic Comedy, with Steve Martin. Noises Off (1992)…. Insanely Funny Comedy, with some other familiar faces. The Cider House Rules (1999)… with Toby Maguire and Charlize Theron. This was only a small portion :-) ——————- Some films lose their “luster” after you know the ending of the film. This film is not one of them. Every viewing of The Prestige is just as entertaining as the first, perhaps more so, because now the tension has died down, and you can just Enjoy the Show. This film reminds me of Vertigo (1958), in its re-watchableness. Both films, I can watch numerous times, and each time, forget the ending. I get so entranced by the visuals and storytelling, that I’m only thinking about what I know in the moment. I don’t want to think ahead. It is interesting to see how much is revealed early on, after you know the ending. Watching it after numerous times, I wonder how I didn’t notice who Fallon really was. Why was I not more curious about this mysterious looking, silent character that was always around, and so dear to one of our principal characters. Perhaps Cutter’s last words, the last words in the film help explain it. They also help explain why this movie is so dang entertaining, even after multiple viewings. “Now you’re looking for the secret. But you won’t find it, because of course… you’re not really looking. You don’t really want to work it out. You Want to Be Fooled.”

kaiielle

Ahhhhh that was so fun! It is definitely a sad movie, because watching people be obsessed with revenge is never a fun time. I like that we were shown outcomes first as I feel it builds up the intensity. This was really fun to rewatch - noticed new things. Your reaction was fantastic (you get to be happy about Borden being with Jess!) and your recap was great, as well. Thank you!

Thomas Thompson

I think you’re missing something here, we know two things about the machine, the machine creates a duplicate and the machine simultaneously transport something to another location, but we don’t know if the machine transports the duplicate to another location or if the machine creates the duplicate in the original location and transports the original to another location Therefore we don’t know if it’s the duplicate or the original that’s being dropped into the tank of water. If the clone has all the memories of the original then even the clone doesn’t know whether he’s the original or the clone and neither does the original

Thomas Thompson

I just realize now the man in the box at the end of the warehouse scene is the big reveal. Therefore, the man in the box is the prestige not the man who is transported and reveals himself in the balcony, likewise the surviving twin who reveals himself at the end is the prestige, I didn’t think of that before

Biggman83

I first watched this years about 10 years ago, it was nice to revisit this after all that time. I remembered the twist out about 2/3 through. But had forgotten the ending.

Cody Nelson

I realized watching this now that that older guy early in the movie asking Michael Caine about that box is the same actor who plays Moriarty in Star Trek TNG!

Stick Figure Studios
>>142309353

At that point then the whole concept of a "duplicate" and an "original" loses meaning. If you cant tell the difference between a duplicate and an original and both have the same memories, then what's the difference?

Stick Figure Studios

Plus, how'd you like to be brother who's just Fallon all the time? How's that fair?

Stick Figure Studios

Right. Plus, things like our eyes and heart can be removed from our bodies and placed on someone else's. That doesn't turn "them" into "ua" though.

Tyler Foster

Oh yeah, that too. One of their other rules is almost certainly that only one of them can ever be Alfred at one time for fear of being discovered, so it's not like it smooths things out, because the other twin cannot just be Alfred with Olivia at the same time the real Alfred has gone home with Sarah, or Olivia and/or Sarah will quickly realize there are times when Alfred is in two places at once.

Stick Figure Studios

Plus, how'd you like to be brother who's just Fallon all the time? How's that fair?

Jon Johns

Someone help me out, when Christian Bale is in the prison yard, with the red ball, and puts the leg irons on the guard, we see both his hands, and they have all five fingers. Why?

Canadianant

Bravo.. this is one of my all time favorites as it truly is a magic trick of a movie. Truly masterful performances. Tesla was played by mostly musician David Bowie in a rare movie role. He was excellent I thought. Your reaction was everything I hoped it would be. From great highs to sorrow and finally a 🤯 moment when you pieced it all together. Cheers to KL for suggesting this one. I'm sure I will come back to this one again and again.

Jon Johns

LOL - if you don't leave a Nolan movie confused, or at least struggling, you haven't "got it" yet 😂

Larry Darrell

Exactly. Neither one wanted to be Fallon. That was their sacrifice, that they shared.

Oisin Clissmann

That, and Interstellar! She said she might rewatch it as she doesn't remember any of it.

Andrew Buel

Glad you liked the movie. Don't feel bad about taking the time to talk it out. Even before you looked stuff up to confirm you were well on your way to understanding it. Or as best as you can understand a Nolan movie. XD Now who's up for Inception?

Rod Reavern

I appreciate how much “The Prestige” got to Cassie and how she dug deeper at the end to understand it, and shared her thoughts in the longer-than-usual Outro. Christopher Nolan is the master of the non-linear narrative film and “The Prestige” proved that more than “Memento”, which was more famous because of its reverse linear narrative gimmick. “The Prestige” has been tragically overlooked because it wasn’t Nolan’s first film or a big budget blockbuster. However, “The Prestige” is arguably Nolan’s best film because he utilized the non-linear narrative with a masterfully deft touch to tell the story of two men’s competitive obsession and need for revenge, with one of the greatest revelatory finales in film history! One of the greatest aspects of “The Prestige” was the contrast between the two leads: Borden was a working-class “hero” who had a unique advantage of having an identical twin who shared his dedication to magic and whom he could trust completely, facilitating The Transported Man trick. Whereas Angier/Danton/Caldlow was an aristocrat who had the luxury of pursuing a career in magic, knowing he had the safety net of his family’s wealth to fall back on if he failed. Since Angier never needed to work for anything and “get his hands dirty”, he was focused solely on showmanship and relied on others’ help and expertise to make him into a famous magician. Whereas the Borden Twins worked together (secretly) to earn everything they achieved (with some help on their show’s presentation by Olivia) — although living their act did cost them the women they loved. Angier’s privileged background instilled in him his belief that he deserved EVERYTHING: success, fame, love, family, and happiness. Upon the tragic death of his wife, Angier felt loss and suffering probably for the first time in his life, and he couldn’t cope. Angier felt that Borden had STOLEN something from him, and coupled with his working-class background, Angier couldn’t tolerate Borden ever having more than him, which is why he was so obsessed with stealing his greatest trick -- instead of inventing something himself. That obsession and need for revenge was what drove Angier to forsake all of his relationships, spend a fortune, and waste years of his life pursuing a boondoggle, which miraculously turned into his perfect instrument of revenge. The supreme irony is that the Cloning Machine offered Angier the perfect method for duplicating Borden’s trick by creating an identical clone (twin) of himself. That’s all he needed to perform The Transported Man trick… but when faced with his perfect clone, Angier’s first instinct was to MURDER him! That’s because, to a man like Angier, he cannot share anything with anyone, including himself. That’s why Angier’s final plan was to use the machine to clone himself and frame Borden for his own murder, rather than clone himself ONCE and use the machine as a prop to perform the final incarnation of The Transported Man trick. That’s because it wasn’t about magic or fame anymore; all Angier cared about was destroying Borden’s life. Angier was so self-centered that it didn’t even occur to him to clone himself as a backup, just in case something unexpected happened, i.e. Borden “escaping” and killing him. In keeping with the focus on showmanship over talent, it’s fitting that the narrative is mostly told from Angier’s perspective and he appears to be the more sympathetic of the two magicians… until the truth is revealed at the end. The revelation of how monstrous Angier’s revenge plan was the point that the apparent-protagonist switched to being the indisputable antagonist. That’s why it was so gratifying when the surviving Borden Twin killed him. That was superb storytelling and filmmaking, which is why I believe “The Prestige” is Christopher Nolan’s greatest film.

JL_83

That’s right! Andy Serkis in The Batman…good catch

K, Zachary

Great reaction Cassie, this was a good movie and I thought your reaction was spot on. So I ordered that Caitlin Clark Indiana Fever hat for you I am calling it the insensitive gift the insensitive one being me. If you have no idea what I am talking about check your YouTube videos. Apparently the money I send you for Super thanks, that's just for your trouble of putting up with me. Apparently? All I was told was Cassie has earned that Super Thanks. So both you and Carly will matching hats. Yes you will get a pair of Caitlin Clark's as soon as they come out. In case you missed it here is Caitlin getting a standing ovation on the road in Phoenix today. This is not taking away from Cassie great work on The Prestige great film great reactioner. This is getting Cassie in the mood to tear open that package she gets this week. https://youtube.com/shorts/CnI1LdbQuYM?si=oCU9SQzSJVPNoht

2-Can

Not sure I would call the final murder ‘gratifying’. They were both/all pretty monstrous. Borden’s wife detected different feelings from the twins long before The Transported Man was first unveiled. That means they were serepticiously sharing the wife and (later) the mistress between them, and only one seemed to truly care for the daughter (I’m not sure whether it was her father who survived or not). Their ruse drove the wife to suicide and apparently it was one twin who was ordered not to use the knot while the other did - killing Angier’s wife (explaining why the other twin could honestly say he did not know which knot was used). In the end, the twins accounted for three deaths to Angier’s one. Not that it is a simple calculation, but I just can’t get behind calling Angier’s death ‘gratifying’.

Carlos Stevens

Um Cassie...That is Hugh Jackman. (I'm sure you figured that out by now.)

Carlos Stevens

Cassie, They didn't know about CPR back then (circa 1890s).

David Fuchs

Clay, both were in "Vicky," Hall & ScarJo. Yes, Hall was great! Restaurant scene, "He doesn't beat around the bush."

Rod Reavern

Even if you ignored Angier's killing himself countless times, Angier tried to murder Borden with the Bullet Catch and maimed him instead; then he arranged the abduction and near-murder of Fallon by burying him alive; and he committed extortion. That's two attempted murders committed before his final revenge plot, which involved pre-meditated murder and framing an innocent man for a false murder. In comparison, one of the Borden Twins was indirectly responsible for Julia's tragic accident (regardless of which knot he tied), which would be considered an inherent danger of the Water Tank Escape trick. Cutter's job was safety and he failed too, but Angier didn't blame him. No one else is guilty when a person gives up on life. Sarah had a daughter to consider and numerous options other than self-deletion; she chose the one that was the most traumatic for both her daughter and husband. The only person that Borden murdered was Angier AFTER he framed his brother and got him executed. Borden's revenge on Angier was morally justified and the only form of "justice" available under the unprecedented circumstances -- that's why Cutter turned against Angier in the end. The Borden Twins were dishonest and kept secrets from their significant others, which are not crimes. The movie didn't go into detail about how "intimate" the Borden Twins were with Sarah and Olivia. Sure, one of the twins was obligated to be PG-rated intimate with the other's wife or girlfriend to play their role, but it's possible they never crossed the line to X-rated territory -- it's the quintessential "I'm not in the mood tonight" excuse. Every spouse drives their spouse crazy from time to time; it's called marriage. Angier was infinitely worse, both criminally and morally, than the Borden Twins because they didn't INTEND to harm anyone. And you didn't address my point that Angier could've simply cloned himself to perform the Transported Man, but he CHOSE revenge instead.

Farbod

It actually gets better each time I watch it and I have probably watched it at least 50 times. Christian Bale's performance is so nuanced that you can actually tell which Borden is which. It's one of the best performances in the history of film.

2-Can

Way too easy on the Borden Twins. Angier could have snapped his neck under the trap door when they removed the landing mat. They displayed callous disregard for their actions throughout which subverts any conclusions of what they intended, whether with the trap door, tying the wrong knot which they'd been ordered to not use, or their treatment of Sarah. If you are going to rely on the law to prescribe what is moral (particularly in their treatment of Sarah), well, then you really have no basis to apply a broader definition of morality to Angier. After all, they CHOSE to live a lie and defend that lie in the manner that they did, the consequences be damned. I'm not sure Angier intended to shoot Borden - he wanted an answer from him and may only have been trying to scare it out of him. The shooting occurred when someone grabbed his arm. And how do you reconcile your view indicating Angier's decision to kill himself was somehow immoral with your view that Sarah's decision was hers and hers alone? After all, Angier did not give up on life, he continued to live. Sarah was toyed with by people who clearly did not have her best interests in mind. As I said at the start, Angier and the Bordens were all monstrous. But I certainly cannot give the Bordens any kind of moral high ground here.

Cody Nelson

I’m very happy that you recognized Andy Serkis(the actor who plays Gollum)! Also that’s David Bowie, who plays Tesla. Not sure if you’re familiar with his music but he’s a great singer. Plus, he played the goblin king in Labyrinth. 😊

Carol_White

That's true, but the problem with Nolan movies is that the payoff for all the mental effort is weak. It's about as rewarding as finishing a crossword puzzle.

Philip Alan

watch it again closely. His cut fingers is on his left hand and as he fumbles the ball, you can clearly see the stubs. :)

Philip Alan

That was fun! Nolan is so great with his music build up soundtrack! So recognizable. I'm happy your brain exploded!

DWeber

Christopher Nolan is the greatest working filmmaker. Every film he's made is great. I hope this encourages you to watch Interstellar soon. You will have an amazing reaction to it.

Ben Schwartz

Another vote for interstellar... one of the greatest sci-fi movies of all time, as far as i'm concerned.

aarswft

"Did Elon get it from this?" Ok that one hurt. That one is going to sting for a while.

Dazman

This movie is one that can be talked about and thought about a lot. There are so many clues, hints, foreshadowing and analogies in it. Lots of ways of hinting at the lucky one who survives, sacrificing etc. Lots of hints at twins, duality etc. The visuals and dialogue take on new significance when watching it a second time and you will wonder how you missed them!

Dazman

The cons for me are that sometimes it can seem like there are too many ideas here. Too many twists, with so much going on with each character. I also wonder what it would be like if told in a more linear way, rather than flashbacks within flashbacks within flashbacks plus other time jumps and perspectives. But I suppose it wouldn't be a Nolan movie then! Finally, watching with someone who has never seen it makes me very impatient for the revelations!!!

Dazman

I don't think Angier planned to frame Borden for murder. He had no way of knowing that Borden would be backstage and see the drowning. I do wonder though why the clone didn't appear for the audience and prestige as he normally would.

Clay F

For my first watch of the movie yesterday, I was too confused to be fully absorbed. Enjoyed the acting, but not so much how muddled the movie. I am not good at noticing/deciphering details.

Johnny

Yeah lol - I was was really surprised hear that.

Dazman

Yes, as above, this statement "So, the Danton that was shot and died at the end may have been the original or it may have been the most recent copy." is not quite correct. He is either the first copy or the most recent. The original Angier/Danton is long dead either way (either shot dead in the initial test or the first one to drown).

Dazman

The little girl at the start during the bird trick "but where is his brother?". A hint that identical "brothers" can be the secret. Borden even says how sharp she is.

Dazman

When you watch it a second time, you will wonder how you didn't see that Fallon is obviously Christian Bale in disguise! And the blind stagehands disposing of the dead Angier each night is a chilling aspect that really hits on repeat viewing.

thehewpew

I would love to see another reaction to a re-watching of this movie some time in the future. It's a whole other mind-bending experience to watch it again knowing the end.

Zane From Canada

Crazy story. When I first this I guessed the twist, or should I say the prestige, of the film from remembering back to an old episode of Scooby-Doo I saw as a kid. Zoinks! 😱 The Scooby gang was investigating a ghost of a famous magician. When the ghost was inevitably unmasked it turned out to be the actual magician. The magician’s name was Borden, just like in The Prestige. At the time I was watching the film, it was so farfetched to be true I laughed about it and dismissed it. I couldn't believe I was right. My jaw hit the floor. 🤯😲🤯😲

Walter

"The guy from Miss Congeniality"??? Michael Caine is reduced to "the guy from Miss Congeniality"??? Oh Cassie...I think we need a Michael Caine poll or a Michael Caine week.

Walter

I really enjoyed this movie the first time I watched it, but it gets better and better with every re-watch. It is a dense, meticulously plotted story that pays off beautifully. The entire cast is fantastic, with really stand out performances from Bale and Jackman.

Rod Reavern

@Dazman: Angier told Cutter "My LAST show. A limited engagement." He also said the booking would be "The one that Borden can't ignore." The reason why he advertised the show as "100 performances" was to set a ticking clock to pressure Borden, drive him crazy, and lure him into the trap, which succeeded... for one of the Borden twins. Angier presumably calibrated the Cloning Machine so his clone wouldn't appear out in the open. What if an audience member was standing in the exact spot where his clone materialized? They might be fused together! Also, the spotlight operator would have to know where Angier would appear every time. Therefore, Angier must have had a designated safe spot where his clone would materialize and then he'd emerge into the audience. Angier was waiting and watching for Borden to come up, inspect the machine, and then sneak backstage. Even if Angier didn't see him, he probably overheard Borden's confrontation with the stagehand. The stagehand would've known Borden was NOT part of the show but allowed him past without much hassle. Angier probably informed the stagehand that someone might try to sneak backstage during a show and to allow him to pass. The stagehand might've given Angier a secret signal after it happened, so Angier knew Borden was in place to spring his trap. When the Cloning Machine cloned Angier, he knew NOT to appear to the audience and escaped from the theatre in the confusion. Angier was first and foremost a SHOWMAN and he created the ultimate spectacle: Dying during a live performance and framing his arch-nemesis for his murder. Cloning gave Angier the unique opportunity to live on afterward and glory in his accomplishments for the rest of his life. It all would've worked out if not for Angier's blindspot: Hubris. Cutter told Angier from the beginning Borden used a double but Angier refused to believe it was that simple. Unjustified arrogance, the belief he's always right, and underestimating the lower "class" are common traits for aristocrats. That was Angier's character and his tragic flaw that led to his death and defeat.

Michael G

This movie is a love letter to movies, in that it is the most movie a movie can be. Movies have been described since their creation as magic. Like a magic trick they typically have a three act structure, I am glad you picked up on that with everything racing through your mind at the end. Everything we need to know to solve this movie is presented and given to us the audience in the first 20 min. Audacious and Bold. Both in the discussion about the three acts, and the fact that twins are involved. Everything after that is the illusion and sleight of hand. Michael Caine's lines in the movie are important, as he is describing exactly what a good magic trick does, and by extension a good movie, because remember movie = magic. There is a specific line around the audience wanting to be tricked, and to give just enough up to keep the audience (us the audience in this case) hooked, reveal too much and they lose interest. That is the key to a good movie and a good magic trick. Keep the audience wanting more, but at the same time not giving too much up, so as to not break the illusion. Like a good magic trick, this movie, even after knowing everything, manages with each rewatch to pull the audience in and put them in suspense. That is its true brilliance. I hope you revisit this movie, and when you do, whenever the world "magic" is used replace it in your mind with "movie" because as the kids say, this movie has layers.

Michael G

Interstellar is coming back to theatres this fall. Seeing it in a theatre would be my vote. Need that big sound and screen for that movie.

Michael G

Movies have been talked about as being Magic since their creation. You could replace every instance of the word magic with movie, and it have a whole other layer of meaning for the audience. In that way, it is the most movie to ever movie.

Anthony V Petty

This is Nolan at his best. This came before Inception and with very small box office numbers. But I think it’s probably the most discussed and beloved by Nolan Patrons. Memento and then this banger!!! No wonder they gave him the budget for Inception.

Doug Fisher

That is a little hyperbolic don't you think?! I mean you are free to think that of course but "Tenant" and "The Dark Night Rises" were not good movies. "Oppenheimer" and "Insomnia" were mid. He is a good director but "the greatest working filmmaker. Every film he's made is great." Come on...

Doug Fisher

This is another movie like "The Game" that is still good on repeat viewings but is best the first time watching it. EDIT: Cass... you probably also recognize Michael Caine from "The Muppets Christmas Carol".

Doug Fisher

I vote for "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels", "The Italian Job", or "Battle of Britain". :)

Clay F (edited)

Comment edits

2026-11-01 00:00 Michael Caine is excellent in "The Quiet Man" (2002) (w/Brendan Fraser). Based on the classic novel by Graham Greene
2024-07-03 22:21 Michael Caine is excellent in "The Quiet American" (2002) (w/Brendan Fraser). Based on the classic novel by Graham Greene

Michael Caine is excellent in "The Quiet American" (2002) (w/Brendan Fraser). Based on the classic novel by Graham Greene

Story Archer

UGGGGGHHHHHH... yet another video that isn't available on ANY streaming service...

Guy Frankenstein

This is far and away Nolan's best and most underappreciated. I wish I could see it for the first time again. I'll never forget how shocked we all were walking out of theater.

D

Really interested to see what you will think of There Will Be Blood. You've previously watched movies staring Daniel Day-Lewis and Paul Dano and movies directed by Paul Thomas Anderson on the channel but I don't think TWBB is something you'd typically watch. Regardless of if you like it, it's a very well made movie that I think you'll appreciate.

Carter Paul

Tysm to whoever picked there will be blood, one of my all time favorites as well and I'm excited to see what she thinks of it. "I'm an oil man..."

Old As Dirt Bert

"the guy from Miss Congeniality" is in a movie called "Secondhand Lions" with the guy from "The Godfather" and the kid from "The Sixth Sense" - a coming-of-age film that will be a delightful watch for the PopQueen.

LukeG84

Finally got around to watching this one. I was putting this one off because I remember not liking the ending all that much. Of course Nolan did a fantastic job making this movie, and arguably showcased one of the best plot twists in movie history, but I just couldn't get over Hugh Jackman's character framing an innocent man for his own murder and then showing up at the prison with his daughter to rub his subterfuge in his face. That scene was a tough pill to swallow. P.s. I had forgotten Scarlett Johansson was in this. She did a pretty good English accent all things considered.

Daniel John

Coming out on 4k steelbook 1st quarter 2026. 😝 #PhysicalMediaIsKing