Following
Zeitgeist Films | Release Date: April 2, 1999
8.1
USER SCORE
Universal acclaim based on 270 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
232
Mixed:
22
Negative:
16
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User scoreBy dateMost helpful
10
kayhamedMar 5, 2019
inception, dark knight and interstellar are nolan's films that people worship like idols but FOLLOWING and MEMENTO are the ones that i go with among his'.
10 of 10 users found this helpful100
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8
levitt_jrJun 25, 2013
of the film we can see the genius of Nolan in making the film, with his trademark plot back and forth, this film is not less than nolan movie afterwards. 8 for this movie
6 of 6 users found this helpful60
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9
JayShurmanJun 1, 2018
One of Christopher Nolan's earliest works and perhaps first to a wide audience. It is an ambitious mind-bender. Coming in at around an 60 minute, it has pound-for-pound great entertainment value. A must watch if you are a fan of his later work!
5 of 5 users found this helpful50
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9
Allogism944Jan 27, 2020
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Cobb: That's what it's all about - interrupting someone's life, making them see all the things they took for granted. Like when they go back and buy all this stuff from the shelves with the insurance money, they'll have to think for the first time in a long time why they wanted all this stuff, what it's for. You take it away, and show them what they had.… Expand
5 of 5 users found this helpful50
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9
Dysphoric22May 13, 2021
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4 of 4 users found this helpful40
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9
Atrium89May 25, 2021
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4 of 4 users found this helpful40
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9
Exemplify78May 18, 2021
⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙⊙
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3 of 3 users found this helpful30
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9
Catenary44Jun 7, 2021
$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.$.
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3 of 3 users found this helpful30
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8
SpangleDec 3, 2015
Though just 70 minutes in length and his debut, Christopher Nolan's Following is a great work that really highlights why he has taken off the way he has. Featuring strong lead performances from Jeremy Theobald and Alex Haw (how did neither ofThough just 70 minutes in length and his debut, Christopher Nolan's Following is a great work that really highlights why he has taken off the way he has. Featuring strong lead performances from Jeremy Theobald and Alex Haw (how did neither of them get much work after this in acting?). The film is intense and has a really paranoid feel to it that really elevates it. Even more so, it has multiple layers to it that can make the film a fun one to take another look at to try and figure out all the different twists and turns the film takes back. A true hard boiled mystery film, Following was somehow made for $6,000 and that was money well spent as this is a great film that is honestly better than some of Nolan's big budget films. It is amazing what one can create when they have to sacrifice excess.… Expand
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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7
DirigiblePulpSep 28, 2017
It's weird watching this film after having seen all of Nolan's other
films up to this point. I found myself thinking, "Man, he's done this
subjective non-linear storytelling to fool the audience thing a lot now" and then realizing oh yeahIt's weird watching this film after having seen all of Nolan's other
films up to this point. I found myself thinking, "Man, he's done this
subjective non-linear storytelling to fool the audience thing a lot
now" and then realizing oh yeah this was the first. He gets much better
at it, suffice to say. There isn't much else to this film besides its
slight of hand, and it kinda drops some of the throughlines pretty fast
(so much for the eponymous title after about 15 minutes). But as a
thesis about what Nolan would become, it's interesting enough.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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9
Creeper3455Jul 31, 2017
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Ahh,the year 1998...When Christopher Nolan was just himself and wasn't just a name for 'High-Budget Movies' or 'Spectacular Special Effects'...
If i was you,i wouldn't describe "Following (1999)" as another movie with a normal story and your typical way of acting. I would probably define it as a "rare and different movie". Here's why: The way Nolan sets up the story is a Maze,because,throughout the movie,it's organized in 3 Different stories:
1. Danny (the main charachter) telling to the police what happened before the movie ended.
It'll start like nothing happened,while at the same time being your normal charachter introduction. We get to his introduction,then,after a while,after Danny followed another person to a café,we meet Cobb (AKA The movie's villain),and that's where the movie starts to get interesting.
2.Danny dates a beautiful woman.
At first,you'll be like:"Who's this guy?",but after a while,you'll understand that it's Danny (after Cobb told him that it was better if he changes his style). Danny starts dating this woman,but he wanted to know more about this 'previous relationship' with a mysterious bald guy who previously killed someone with a hammer (since Danny is writing a story).
3.Things aren't always "Happy Go-Lucky"
50 Mins in and i get into this mysterious scene of an unknown guy who was robbering some money from a Bar's "Safe". That's where you'll also understand that Cobb is the movie's baddie,and that used Danny as a 'mannequin' to get arrested from the police,since the police thinks Cobb was part of a murder,but wasn't,for some reason.
Then the movie ends with Cobb walking,but then,after a walking guy covered the camera for some seconds,we don't see him anymore...And now the Credits!
.
The acting was also top notch. I guess that the actors were trying their best to make it look like a "suspensful" movie,and they succeed in a good way.
Same goes for the sound effects/editing. It's everywhere. Like,the ENTIRE film.
In the end,before Batman,before Interstellar and Dunkirk,Christopher Nolan was a normal name that,throughout the years,made history,and that all started with a movie called 'Following',a movie filled with an intriguing,yet aMAZEing story,some solid acting and nice sound effects.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
Phope5Jan 2, 2018
Creepy and I liked it, I rate it 8/10 because it is not my absolute favorite, but if I watched it again, perhaps I would bump up the score it has been a while. Excellent film.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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9
amheretojudgeAug 25, 2019
A compact peek of an on-and-off show that attracts madness and audience.

Following This is the first outing of Christopher Nolan as a filmmaker and he has decided to follow! The film focuses on an aspiring writer, who as an excuse to getA compact peek of an on-and-off show that attracts madness and audience.

Following

This is the first outing of Christopher Nolan as a filmmaker and he has decided to follow! The film focuses on an aspiring writer, who as an excuse to get influenced with some material, follows- in layman terms, stalking- people out in the daylight. This goes on only further when he; The Young Man played by Jeremy Theobald meets someone like him named Cobb; it has no resemblance with the Inception, trust me, played by Alex Haw.

Often considered to be the master of non-linear narrative skill, Nolan's first project has been called out by many a hardcore fan of his, a journey to understand his working procedure. But to be honest, I have felt like he has always been open and expressive in his filmography. For instance, there is no irreplaceable joy in this world to go through Dunkirk knowing that it is HIS film. He accounts that element in the factor, that his fans are aware of his work and they know every beat of this song that he has been playing for ages. And he plays them accordingly, surprising little delights are left as trail to follow his style in every location.

I am more impressed by the editing than any aspect of the filmmaking here. Since, for a film that cuts plenty of shots in one scene, the reaction that Nolan captures between scenes among the characters could easily go loud and cheesy. And instead it feels like a punch pulled in the air. And this is exactly how he stages those steely cold looks and flirty sinister eyes. This nonlinear narration has to and does feed itself on props. And Nolan uses those props to pass out the unsaid information to his viewers giving them the luxury to think that they are ahead of the characters and the game they are in. And then he backstabs you with a different perspective which feels not manipulated or cheated, but justified and earned since he has pampered you all along the road; leading you, not Following.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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9
WhyImScottMay 17, 2020
Following is Christopher Nolan's debut film, which he shot in black and white on a $3,000 budget. The finished product is a fast 70-minute thriller with multiple surprising plot twists. Following is film noir at its finest.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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7
MrPajamasMay 29, 2021
The Following is the film that launched the work of now famous director Christopher Nolan, and it was here that his style was simply signed. The film is mysterious, intriguing and I would easily compare it to a later Nolan film calledThe Following is the film that launched the work of now famous director Christopher Nolan, and it was here that his style was simply signed. The film is mysterious, intriguing and I would easily compare it to a later Nolan film called Memento. In fact, both films rely on a kind of mystery and you don't expect action here like in more recent films like Inception. But despite the lack of action, the film was not boring due to its mystery and overall I liked it. For me, a good film that I recommend.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
NickTheCritickNov 14, 2021
The story is simple but compelling: the film tells the story of Bill, an aspiring writer who, in search of inspiration, begins to stalk people, turning their lives into material for his work. All is well until Bill runs into Cobb, aThe story is simple but compelling: the film tells the story of Bill, an aspiring writer who, in search of inspiration, begins to stalk people, turning their lives into material for his work. All is well until Bill runs into Cobb, a professional thief who teaches him the trade.
This film shot on a very low budget is part of the first phase of Nolan's career which is my favorite. In fact, I think he is a director who often slips especially when he shots action movies but he is able to shoot superb films whenever he wants.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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6
royalguy07Jul 25, 2023
Can feel Nolan's style even in this short $6k budget film, the editing, dialogue, and pacing all feel very familiar.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
hoseinNov 15, 2013
I think this movie is a start for Christopher Nolan' films method. You must pay all of your attention to movie to understand what is happening in the movie. But there are some details that help you to understand like the young man's hair. TheI think this movie is a start for Christopher Nolan' films method. You must pay all of your attention to movie to understand what is happening in the movie. But there are some details that help you to understand like the young man's hair. The story was good and it does not make people weary. I think this movie worth to see.… Expand
4 of 5 users found this helpful41
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8
StaticSpineMar 25, 2014
I can compare this to Aronofsky's Pi, it's also black and white and disturbing (not so crazy though). The story is good. For the first serious movie it is really well made.
5 of 7 users found this helpful52
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8
BrianMcCriticJun 19, 2013
Being a huge Christopher Nolan fan after seeing Memento I found out about this film and after seeing it for this being his first film it is well done.
5 of 8 users found this helpful53
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8
TheApplegnomeOct 9, 2015
Christopher Nolan’s first ambitious and paradoxical ride of entertainment. ‘Who follows the followers?’

We follow this young writer, constantly trying to find depth to his imaginary characters. He starts to follow people and, of course,Christopher Nolan’s first ambitious and paradoxical ride of entertainment. ‘Who follows the followers?’

We follow this young writer, constantly trying to find depth to his imaginary characters. He starts to follow people and, of course, meats this thief. He gets obsessed with this character and gets into his life and sooner than later a companionship was formed. As Christopher Nolan’s next movie; “Memento” (2000), “Following” got the same (but less) complex non-linear structure but also the identical theme and compassion. It constantly jumps from different timelines and it keeps the audience interested with the story and its surprises, twists and turns along the one-hour movie. The whole plot is very ironic as it is paradoxical and smart. It got a lot to tell about obsession, trust, perspectives of different personalities & everyday life. It’s entertaining for one type of person, slow and boring for another one. But it worked excellent for me, because it’s so clever and I quickly got into this odd grayish cinematic flick.

The characters are very well presented, even though the acting performances aren’t flawless and that there isn’t that much time spent on introducing our characters in a more profound and less dry way. But there’s great development to our main individual, through his ups and downs we see his frustrations over all the struggles he must face with his new companionship. The stunning aspect with “Following”, is just as Nolan’s newer creations; the structure. Which is so smart and it puts everything we get to know in a brand new perspective, especially the third act which had some big twists and turns, both for the character and the main plot. The interesting part is that the soundtrack is hinting a bit, that something odd is going on, that something isn’t right. And it really is a stunning non-linear movie that’s enjoyable and highly unique, even though it’s 17 years old.

It might have some less-flawless aspects, including a non-perfectional editing and cinematography. But it really is a smart, iconic and of course a complex ride of entertainment, and that’s what keeps impressing my critical and personal viewpoint.

Personal rating: 80/100
Critical rating: 84/100… Expand
3 of 6 users found this helpful33
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6
Compi24Sep 7, 2013
It may be rather scant on character and a little too bare in the pacing department, but with an intriguing premise and some impressive visuals for a shoe-string budget, "Following" represents a relatively understandable foot in the doorIt may be rather scant on character and a little too bare in the pacing department, but with an intriguing premise and some impressive visuals for a shoe-string budget, "Following" represents a relatively understandable foot in the door project for Christopher Nolan.… Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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8
eagleeyevikingApr 27, 2020
“Following” is a terrific and efficient neo-noir thriller that showed the potential of Christopher Nolan as a director and a writer.
2 of 5 users found this helpful23
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8
Sierra-117Jan 23, 2020
An excellent film that is extremely underrated and has such a masterfully written plot. The only issue is that it is only a fragment of the vision Nolan had for his masterpiece ‘Memento’, which is a superior film and leaves little reason toAn excellent film that is extremely underrated and has such a masterfully written plot. The only issue is that it is only a fragment of the vision Nolan had for his masterpiece ‘Memento’, which is a superior film and leaves little reason to watch this other than interest and/or just wanting some entertainment… Expand
1 of 4 users found this helpful13
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0
noob328Dec 9, 2020
Creepy and I liked it, I rate it 8/10 because it is not my absolute favorite, but if I watched it again, perhaps I would bump up the score it has been a while. Excellent film.
1 of 8 users found this helpful17
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5
LivingTribunalApr 24, 2018
This film is simply amazing, but just because the plot didn't seem like Christopher Nolan's. I'm a really big fan of him, but this is the worst film. 5/10 for me is a lot. I'm pretty sure that it deserves lower user score. I recommend this toThis film is simply amazing, but just because the plot didn't seem like Christopher Nolan's. I'm a really big fan of him, but this is the worst film. 5/10 for me is a lot. I'm pretty sure that it deserves lower user score. I recommend this to people who loves Christopher Nolan, or people who loves this type of movies, but you have to know that this film is not perfect.… Expand
0 of 6 users found this helpful06
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10
katezoeAug 19, 2023
Amazing first film by Christopher Nolan. The black and white cinematograpjy on point for this film noir. Acting is sublime. Playing with time, narratives, editing...trade mark Nolan.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
hamidgoodarziSep 8, 2023
Nolan's first production in 16 mm and black and white
Nolan's first production in 16 mm and black and white
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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