Christopher Nolan’s Following is an enigmatic neo-noir psychological thriller that delves into themes of obsession, identity, and moral decay. Crafted on a meager budget and shot in stark black-and-white, the film is a labyrinthine exploration of human nature, deception, and voyeuristic impulses. The narrative, nonlinear and fractured, lays the foundation for Nolan’s future cinematic masterpieces like Memento and Inception.
At its core, Following chronicles the descent of an unemployed, aspiring writer—known only as The Young Man—who, in search of creative stimulation, begins tailing unsuspecting strangers through the streets of London. What starts as a seemingly benign experiment quickly entangles him in a web of crime, manipulation, and betrayal, blurring the lines between observer and participant, innocence and culpability.
Unraveling the Labyrinth: A Breakdown of the Story’s Twisted Threads
1. A Curious Fascination with the Unseen
From the outset, The Young Man establishes his peculiar habit: shadowing random individuals under the guise of artistic inspiration. His justification is methodical—he imposes rules upon himself to maintain detachment, vowing never to follow the same person twice or interfere in their lives. Yet, beneath this self-imposed discipline lies an unmistakable loneliness, a craving to be part of something beyond his own static existence.
The film’s monochromatic aesthetic underscores the protagonist’s stark, isolated world. His minuscule, disorderly apartment mirrors his stagnant life, while the ever-moving, bustling streets of London symbolize the unpredictability he seeks. His musings, delivered through voice-over narration, unveil a fractured psyche, both detached and desperate for human connection—however unreciprocated it may be.
2. A Fateful Encounter: The Charismatic Enigma Named Cobb
The Young Man’s rigid methodology crumbles when he trails Cobb—a sharply dressed, self-assured man who, rather than being oblivious, swiftly notices and confronts him. But instead of reacting with hostility, Cobb exhibits a curious intrigue, inviting The Young Man into his world of burglary and subterfuge.
Cobb is not an ordinary thief. He doesn’t steal for mere financial gain; rather, he revels in the violation of privacy, the uncovering of people’s intimate secrets. His burglaries are not just crimes—they are invasions of personal narratives. His philosophy captivates The Young Man, who, eager for excitement and a sense of purpose, is drawn into Cobb’s shadowy orbit.
The dynamic between them is both mentor-student and predator-prey. Cobb exudes an effortless confidence, manipulating The Young Man under the guise of camaraderie, grooming him into an unwitting accomplice. Their interactions brim with tension, underscoring Cobb’s ability to mold and control those around him.
3. The First Transgression: A Dangerous Addiction Takes Root
The initiation into burglary is both electrifying and unsettling. The Young Man’s first break-in with Cobb is a study in tension—Cobb explains his method of selecting objects not for monetary worth but for the intimate glimpses they offer into their owners’ lives. The act of theft is framed as a voyeuristic exploration, transforming crime into storytelling.
As they invade a woman’s apartment, Nolan’s cinematography amplifies the sense of intrusion—shadows stretch ominously, close-up shots linger on stolen objects as if they whisper secrets. The Young Man’s initial trepidation soon gives way to exhilaration, his moral compass slowly disintegrating under Cobb’s guidance.
4. The Blonde: An Obsession That Blurs Reality
During one such burglary, The Young Man becomes fixated on The Blonde, a woman seemingly trapped in an abusive entanglement with a figure known as The Bald Guy. Unlike his previous subjects, she captivates him beyond detached observation—he begins trailing her beyond reason, breaking his own self-imposed rules.
His infatuation is not rooted in reality but rather in a constructed fantasy. He perceives her as a damsel in distress, projecting onto her his own yearning for connection and significance. This obsession warps his judgment, driving him toward reckless decisions that spiral into dangerous territory. Yet, her true nature remains elusive—her motives clouded, her allegiances uncertain, adding yet another layer to the film’s cryptic atmosphere.
5. The Sinister Reveal: Cobb’s Web of Deceit
The film’s fragmented structure unspools its secrets with surgical precision. As timelines converge, it becomes evident that Cobb has orchestrated a grand deception from the very beginning. The burglaries were never random, the targets never incidental—each move meticulously planned to frame The Young Man as the fall guy for a series of crimes, including The Blonde’s murder.
The revelation is masterfully executed through flashbacks and nonlinear storytelling, forcing the audience to reassess everything they believed. Cobb emerges not as a mere charismatic burglar but as a puppet master, exploiting The Young Man’s weaknesses to serve his own ends. The betrayal is both shocking and inevitable—a devastating crescendo to a meticulously woven narrative.
6. The Inevitable Fall: A Tragic Denouement
By the time The Young Man realizes his predicament, the noose has already tightened. He attempts to confront Cobb, but the trap has been expertly laid—he is apprehended by the police, abandoned to his fate, while Cobb vanishes into the ether.
The climax is bleak yet poetic. The Young Man, once an idle observer, now finds himself the unwilling protagonist in a narrative he cannot control. The haunting final frames encapsulate his tragic fate: isolated, betrayed, ensnared in a cycle of his own making.
Dissecting the Players: A Character Analysis
The Young Man: A Puppet of His Own Obsession
A portrait of misplaced ambition and gullibility, The Young Man begins as a passive spectator, yearning for inspiration yet incapable of true agency. His hunger for meaning makes him susceptible to manipulation, and his descent into crime is as much a result of his own weaknesses as it is of Cobb’s cunning. His transformation from observer to victim serves as a cautionary meditation on the perils of curiosity and unbridled ambition.
Cobb: The Master Manipulator
Cobb is the film’s enigmatic force—charming, intelligent, and utterly ruthless. He operates on a philosophy of control, viewing people as mere chess pieces in his elaborate schemes. His ability to craft personas, to manipulate perception, renders him an almost spectral presence—one whose true nature is only revealed when it’s far too late.
The Blonde: The Enigmatic Catalyst
The Blonde exists as both a symbol and an enigma. She is at once a victim and a potential architect of deception. Her role remains ambiguous, her true motivations never fully unraveled, adding to the film’s overarching theme of uncertainty and illusion.
Final Thoughts: A Noir Masterpiece in Minimalism
Following is an intricate study of obsession, deception, and the fluidity of morality. Through its fragmented storytelling, stark visuals, and morally ambiguous characters, Christopher Nolan’s debut film establishes his signature style—one that thrives on audience participation, challenging perceptions and demanding re-evaluation.
A masterclass in psychological noir, Following lingers long after the credits roll, an echoing reminder that in the pursuit of meaning, one might become ensnared in a narrative of their own undoing.
IMDb RATING:
Following
READ ALSO:
Insomnia
The Dark Knight Rises
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