Writer and director Ryan Coogler recently expressed his admiration for Christopher Nolan, drawing attention to Nolan’s early film Following and highlighting Nolan as an inspiration and mentor. This praise arrives as Coogler celebrates the success of his supernatural horror film Sinners, reminding fans that the beginnings of Nolan’s signature storytelling can be found in this lesser-known work—a fact emphasized by Coogler’s heartfelt thanks in Sinners’ credits and his comments during a Criterion Closet video exploration.
Coogler’s focus keyword—Ryan Coogler praises Christopher Nolan—captures their creative connection, as Coogler showcases the origins of Nolan’s craftsmanship and encourages new audiences to revisit Following, now available for free streaming online. Nolan’s debut feature, crafted on a shoestring budget, is recognized not only for its lasting influence but also for the themes and innovative storytelling that later became trademarks throughout Nolan’s celebrated career.
Christopher Nolan’s First Feature Delivers a Distinctive Thriller
Christopher Nolan’s Following, created with minimal resources in 1998, unravels an intense narrative that centers on a solitary aspiring writer, referred to as The Young Man or Bill, portrayed by Jeremy Theobald. Set in London, the protagonist spends his days shadowing strangers to spark creativity for his novel. His methodical approach is disrupted when Cobb, played by Alex Haw, confronts him after noticing the surveillance. Cobb soon shares his own voyeuristic interests, inviting The Young Man into a world where they break into apartments—disturbing lives, but not claiming physical possessions.
Their partnership grows risky when The Young Man’s infatuation with a woman whose apartment they’ve invaded complicates the situation, steering the story toward thriller territory packed with intrigue and betrayal. The film becomes a showcase for Nolan’s early experiments in structure, employing a fragmented, non-linear timeline that keeps viewers piecing together clues until the very end. These narrative choices laid the groundwork for Nolan’s later projects, including films like Memento and The Prestige, where twists and temporal manipulations are central.
The Creative Logistics and Personal Inspirations Behind ‘Following’
Nolan filmed Following in black-and-white on 16mm stock with a mere $6,000, utilizing mostly natural lighting in real London locations and recruiting family and friends—such as his uncle, John Nolan—to the cast. Drawing from his own experience with a break-in at his London apartment, the themes reflect a personal exploration of the boundaries people set and the fragile security those boundaries provide. Reflecting on the inspiration behind the film, Nolan recounted after a screening at the IFC Center,
“I realized that the door was just plywood, and that was never keeping anybody out. What was keeping people out was the social protocols that we have that allow us to live together. I was interested in the certain types of people who would stop observing those protocols, and why that would be.”
— Christopher Nolan, Director
These insights, combined with a homage to noir filmmaking, give Following its distinctive mood and style. The film’s financial limitations became a driving force for creativity, compelling Nolan to innovate with available resources. The unknown cast—including Lucy Russell, Alex Haw, John Nolan, and Jeremy Theobald—brings authenticity to the gritty narrative and urban backdrop.
Recurring Themes and Early Signs of Nolan’s Filmic Identity
Even in his earliest work, Nolan displays a fascination with identity, the nature of memory, and psychological gamesmanship, using a story structure that challenges audiences’ sense of time and truth. The push-pull dynamic between Cobb and The Young Man anticipates similar explorations in Nolan’s future storytelling, particularly his nuanced portrayals of male relationships, such as the clashes between Batman and the Joker, as well as the complicated partnerships in The Prestige, Tenet, and even in Oppenheimer.
Following’s fractured timeline and twisting plotlines ask viewers to puzzle out the story in real-time, while the ambiguous morality and subtle character evolution prefigure the thematic ambitions of Nolan’s big-budget films. The film’s influence can be detected in Nolan’s later work with actors like Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, John David Washington, and Robert Pattinson, all of whom have inhabited roles defined by internal conflict, ethical ambiguity, and cerebral storytelling.
Why ‘Following’ Remains Relevant and Accessible Today
For audiences who discovered Nolan through major releases such as The Dark Knight trilogy or followed his trajectory to recent accolades like Best Picture for Oppenheimer, Following offers a revealing glimpse into his artistic roots. Ryan Coogler’s endorsement underscores the significance of appreciating a director’s origins to understand the depth and evolution of their voice, storytelling, and signature techniques.
Coogler encourages current fans and newcomers alike to experience this pivotal film, now conveniently available for streaming at no cost on Tubi. Through Following, viewers can witness the seed of Nolan’s themes and narrative strategies—elements that would come to define his most distinguished films—and better appreciate why esteemed filmmakers like Coogler openly celebrate his influence and mentorship.
