The Classic Movie That Inspired Christopher Nolan and Scored 89% on Rotten Tomatoes!

It’s quite possible that you’re not aware of this, but Christopher Nolan, who is renowned as one of the leading directors in cinema, drew significant inspiration from a movie he adored as a child in 1982. Since his first feature film in 1999, Christopher Nolan has ascended to legendary status in the film industry. Each of his films offers something remarkable, and it’s hard to argue that he’s ever made a subpar one. From box office hits like “The Dark Knight” to critically acclaimed, award-winning movies such as “Oppenheimer,” Nolan consistently delivers. Despite his towering presence in the industry today, even Christopher Nolan began with humble beginnings.

Nolan’s distinctive style has evolved over time, influenced by various movies he’s encountered. He’s no stranger to drawing inspiration from other creators; for instance, his Batman trilogy is built upon characters and universes that weren’t originally his, while his upcoming movie, The Odyssey, is a modern interpretation of an ancient text. However, it might come as a shock to Nolan’s followers that one of his major filmmaking inspirations is Blade Runner, the groundbreaking 1982 cyberpunk film that holds an impressive 89% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Blade Runner Is One Of The Movies That Impacted Christopher Nolan The Most

Nolan Cited Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner & Alien As Some Of His Favorite Movies As A Child

It’s hard to say how many films influenced Christopher Nolan, but he has highlighted one that might be unexpected. Nolan has mentioned that Ridley Scott’s 1982 cyberpunk masterpiece “Blade Runner” – together with another of Scott’s science fiction classics, “Alien” – were among his favorite films growing up (as shared by Media Factory).

From a young age, Ridley Scott’s work has always captivated me, and this continued as I grew older. Movies like Alien and Blade Runner left me spellbound because they crafted breathtaking worlds that felt incredibly realistic. Similarly, Stanley Kubrick was another filmmaker whose work I admired deeply for the same reasons.

In another interview on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Nolan shared that he frequently watched Blade Runner on VHS since he was too young to catch it in theaters. It’s not uncommon for Nolan to appreciate Blade Runner, given its status as a revered classic and cornerstone of the sci-fi genre. What is interesting, though, is the lasting effect it has had on him. To this day, years later, he continues to acknowledge Blade Runner as an inspiration and shares his thoughts about the film.

Christopher Nolan Has A Controversial Opinion On The Different Versions Of Blade Runner

Nolan Believes The Theatrical Version Of Blade Runner Is Better Than The Director’s Cut

Another intriguing aspect of Christopher Nolan’s connection with Blade Runner lies in his thoughts on how best to watch it. Known for having seven distinct versions, Blade Runner exhibits considerable differences, such as altering the ending or adding narration. Generally, either the Director’s Cut or the Final Cut are regarded as the most authentic way to experience Blade Runner since they both preserve the film’s somber atmosphere and are closer to Ridley Scott’s original concept for the movie. However, Nolan favors the original theatrical release of Blade Runner, an opinion that is shared by very few others.

In my opinion, among all versions of this movie, the one released in theaters is arguably the finest. It’s not without flaws, and I must admit a deep admiration for Ridley Scott, so I don’t wish to challenge his perspective. However, considering the ongoing battles between studios, creatives, and market forces during film production, it often appears that the version of the movie released in theaters holds more weight, as long as the director isn’t forced to drastically alter the original vision.

According to Nolan, he appreciates the collective effort in creating the theatrical version of Blade Runner, more than other edits, as it faithfully represents Ridley Scott’s vision for the movie, acting as his “sole” creator. Many individuals, including directors, writers, actors, and editors, contribute to a film, and Nolan acknowledges their significance in the project. He does note an exception for movies that are heavily altered, but he considers the final theater version as one that numerous people worked on diligently and agreed was superior. It may not be a common perspective, but Christopher Nolan certainly isn’t your typical filmmaker.

How Blade Runner Has Influenced Christopher Nolan’s Career Over The Years

Most Of Nolan’s Movies Have The Same Ambiguity & Immersiveness Blade Runner Is Known For

It’s evident that the film “Blade Runner” significantly influenced Christopher Nolan, and this impact is quite apparent in his cinematic works. One of the most striking features of Nolan’s movies is their enigmatic quality – both morally and in terms of endings – which he might have developed a taste for from “Blade Runner.” This film is known for its countless unanswered questions, leaving viewers to ponder whether replicants are truly sentient beings and how to interpret its complex narrative. It’s not hard to imagine that Nolan aimed to recreate this ambiguous atmosphere in movies like “Memento,” a story that delves into the intricacies of memory and time without providing clear-cut answers.

Another perspective on how profoundly Blade Runner has influenced Nolan’s filmmaking journey is by examining its immersive universe. What sets Nolan apart in his films is his relentless pursuit of making extraordinary scenarios, such as dream intrusion in Inception or temporal manipulation in Tenet, seem entirely plausible to audiences. Despite their fantastical nature, Nolan’s creations appear as genuine and tangible as a real-life documentary. Similarly, Blade Runner‘s world is equally captivating: when watching the film, viewers readily embrace the idea of advanced artificial beings as an everyday reality rather than a complex science fiction concept.

In a broader perspective, “Blade Runner” significantly influenced the type of movies Christopher Nolan creates. One of the appeals of “Blade Runner” lies in its blurred lines between truth and deception. Similar to how Nolan constructs his films, he often uses techniques such as unreliable narrators and non-linear storytelling, which leaves viewers questioning what truly transpired. The ambiguous ending of “Inception” or the puzzling time travel in “Tenet” can all be traced back to the way “Blade Runner” sparked Nolan’s curiosity about reality. There is no doubt that without “Blade Runner,” we would never have the legendary director, Christopher Nolan.

2025-04-29 01:39