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A high-concept sci-fi thriller of espionage and time inversion that only Christopher Nolan could deliver, Tenet is a complex and captivating experience and IMAX at its best.  

A Protagonist (John David Washington) is recruited into a shadowy international organisation known only as Tenet, tasked with preventing a global catastrophe that appears to move both forwards and backwards through time. As he partners with the enigmatic Neil (Robert Pattinson), the mission unfolds across a series of meticulously staged set-pieces spanning airfields, opera houses and fortified compounds, with the concept of “inverted” entropy reshaping every encounter and action. Tenet sees Nolan pushing blockbuster filmmaking into intricate new territory, combining large-scale spectacle with an elaborate narrative puzzle.

Released in 2020, Tenet divided critics but was widely praised for its ambition, technical achievement and commitment to large-scale practical filmmaking. Ludwig Göransson’s score and Hoyte van Hoytema’s cinematography were frequently singled out, alongside the film’s intricate production design and stunt work. It has since been recognised as one of Nolan’s most formally daring works, prioritising experience and spectacle over conventional exposition.

In IMAX Tenet reaches its intended scale and intensity, with sequences designed specifically for large-format exhibition. The film’s expansive sound design and complex narrative choreography makes this an essential IMAX showcase for Nolan’s most intricate blockbuster to date. 

Dir. Christopher Nolan UK/USA 2020 150 mins  
Cast: John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Kenneth Branagh

As part of Widescreen Weekend