Is Looper the next Inception?

The twisty new sci-fi thriller is drawing comparisons to Christopher Nolan's mind-bending 2010 blockbuster, though time will tell if it can conquer the box office

Many critics are comparing Looper to Inception, which both star Joseph Gordon-Levitt and feature action-packed, mind-bending narratives.
(Image credit: Facebook/Looper)

When it came out in 2010, Inception — a massively-budgeted, densely-plotted science-fiction film — shattered every piece of conventional wisdom in Hollywood. Despite a distinct lack of superheroes, 3D effects, or tie-in video games, the movie was a smash, earning $825 million worldwide and a nomination for Best Picture at the 2011 Academy Awards. But despite Inception's success, no comparable movies have hit theaters — until now. Friday sees the release of Looper, a twisty sci-fi thriller in which Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays a hit man tasked with murdering people sent back in time by future mob bosses — which seems like a lucrative career, until he has to assassinate a future version of himself. (Watch the trailer below.) Critics are already raving about Looper, which has 92 percent positive reviews on RottenTomatoes.com. Will Looper be the next Inception?

Finally, a worthy successor to Inception: Looper is "surely the smartest and most enthralling film to hit cinemas since Inception," says Rich Trenholm at CNET. Looper is "smart, funny, and jaw-droppingly audacious," combining several genres into a surprisingly coherent film packed with mind-blowing twists. And like Inception, Looper is best enjoyed by knowing as little as possible before seeing it, so moviegoers should rush to theaters before the secrets have been spoiled.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us