LOTR Star Andy Serkis Crowns This Overlooked Christopher Nolan Masterpiece His No. 1 Pick

Christopher Nolan has a filmography that basically screams 'go big or go home' — we're talking mind-bending thrillers, heady sci-fi, Batman doing Batman things in a gritty way, and recently, atomic bomb drama that finally won him those elusive Oscars. But when it comes to Nolan's work, Andy Serkis — yes, Gollum himself — has a surprising favorite. Spoiler: it's not the one you probably think.

Serkis Picks a Sleeper Hit

Over the years, Nolan's movies have gone from lower-budget indies like Following to what can only be described as pop culture events: Memento, The Dark Knight Trilogy, Inception, Interstellar, Dunkirk, Tenet, and, of course, Oppenheimer (the one that finally got him the Oscar recognition he's deserved for a decade).

So, when Serkis was recently asked by Variety for his pick of the Nolan bunch, he pretty much jumped right to The Prestige — no hesitation, no pondering over Batmobiles or spinning tops. If you aren't familiar (and let's be honest, a lot of people probably skipped it in theaters), The Prestige is Nolan's 2006 slow-burn thriller about rival magicians, featuring more obsession, sabotage, and turn-of-the-century drama than you’d expect from a movie about magic tricks.

Serkis on Watching Himself (and Bowie!)

One thing that stood out in the interview: Serkis normally avoids watching himself on screen at all costs (which, considering his filmography, must be tough). But The Prestige is the one exception. Here's what he said:

'I actually really love watching that film. There are very few films that I'm kind of comfortable watching that I'm in. I do think it is one of my favorite films, actually. Plus, I got to work with David Bowie, of course!'

Honestly, who could blame him? Sharing a set with David Bowie (who plays Nikola Tesla in the film) would be a selling point for anyone.

What Makes The Prestige Special?

Here’s a quick refresher on why this film deserves more fanfare:

• Premise: Two rival magicians (Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman), consumed by one-upping each other, pretty much ruin their own lives in the process.
• Serkis' Role: He plays Mr. Alley, Nikola Tesla’s right-hand man and, frankly, the only sane person in the room.
• Cast: Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson, Rebecca Hall, and David Bowie — yes, that David Bowie — round out an already stacked list.
• Reception: This movie was overshadowed by Nolan’s later mega-hits, but over time it’s become a favorite among fans who love a hidden gem.

Why the Hype Came Late

When The Prestige first hit theaters, it didn’t have anywhere close to the noise of The Dark Knight or even Inception. But in classic Nolan fashion, its reputation grew with time. Now, it’s pretty much at the top of every list of 'underrated movies directors wish you’d pay attention to.' Every now and then, it pops up in conversations as Nolan's most slept-on film — and honestly, with Serkis and Bowie on board, it's about time more people take a second look.