Tenet (2020)
Christopher Nolan's audacious spy thriller that bends time itself, sending one man on a mission to save the world from a weapon beyond imagination.
Tenet - Movie Information
- Original Title: Tenet
- Release Year: 2020
- Directed by: Christopher Nolan
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Action, Thriller, Sci-Fi
- Age Rating (US): PG-13
- Runtime: 2h 30m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English, Estonian, Russian, Ukrainian
- Release Date (Theatrical): August 26, 2020 (Belgium - 16), September 3, 2020 (United States - PG-13), August 27, 2020 (Canada - PG), August 26, 2020 (United Kingdom - 12A), August 26, 2020 (Germany - 12), August 26, 2020 (France - TP), December 4, 2020 (India - UA), August 27, 2020 (New Zealand - 13), August 27, 2020 (Australia - M), October 29, 2020 (Brazil - 14), August 26, 2020 (Italy - T), August 26, 2020 (Spain - 12), August 26, 2020 (South Korea - 12), September 4, 2020 (China), August 28, 2020 (Nigeria)
- Alternative Titles: İnanç (TR), TENET天能 (TW), Verovanje (BA), Merry-Go-Round (US), Tenet (UK), Dalil (UZ), 信条 (CN), เทเน็ท (TH)
- Production Companies: Warner Bros. Pictures, Syncopy
- Production Countries: United Kingdom, United States of America
Tenet - Plot
Armed with only one word - Tenet - and fighting for the survival of the entire world, the Protagonist journeys through a twilight world of international espionage on a mission that will unfold in something beyond real time.
Tenet - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the world of Tenet unfold in reverse:
Time runs out.
Where to Watch Tenet
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Tenet - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Christopher Nolan
Main Cast
- John David Washington
- Robert Pattinson
- Elizabeth Debicki
- Kenneth Branagh
- Dimple Kapadia
- Michael Caine
- Martin Donovan
- Fiona Dourif
- Yuri Kolokolnikov
- Himesh Patel
Writers
- Christopher Nolan
Producers
- Emma Thomas
- Christopher Nolan
Tenet - FAQs
What is the ending of Tenet explained?
The ending reveals that Neil (Robert Pattinson) has been working for the Protagonist all along, recruited in the future. The Protagonist realizes he is the one who founded the Tenet organization. Neil sacrifices himself to unlock a gate, completing a temporal pincer movement that neutralizes Sator's doomsday algorithm.
What does time inversion mean in Tenet?
Time inversion in Tenet refers to the reversal of an object's or person's entropy, causing them to move backward through time relative to the normal world. Characters and objects that are 'inverted' experience causality in reverse — effects precede causes — enabling the film's central spy missions and paradoxes.
Where can you stream or watch Tenet?
Tenet is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, and Plex. It is not currently included in any major subscription streaming service. Check JustWatch for the most up-to-date availability in your region.
Who are the main actors in Tenet?
Tenet stars John David Washington as the Protagonist, Robert Pattinson as Neil, Elizabeth Debicki as Kat, and Kenneth Branagh as the villain Sator. The supporting cast includes Dimple Kapadia, Michael Caine, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Himesh Patel, and Clémence Poésy.
Is Tenet based on a true story?
No, Tenet is not based on a true story. It is an entirely original screenplay written by Christopher Nolan. The film draws on spy thriller conventions and theoretical physics concepts — particularly entropy and time reversal — but its characters, plot, and central technology are wholly fictional.
How long is Tenet and what is its age rating?
Tenet has a runtime of 2 hours and 30 minutes (150 minutes). It is rated PG-13 in the United States for intense sequences of violence and action, some suggestive references, and brief strong language. International ratings vary by country.
How was Tenet received by critics and audiences?
Tenet received mixed-to-positive reviews. Critics praised its ambition, visual spectacle, and Ludwig Göransson's score, but some found the plot overly complex and the dialogue difficult to follow. On Rotten Tomatoes it holds a 70% critics score. Audiences were more divided, with many citing its demanding narrative structure.
Who directed Tenet and who wrote the screenplay?
Tenet was both written and directed by Christopher Nolan, the filmmaker behind Inception, Interstellar, and Dunkirk. Nolan developed the concept over many years, drawing on ideas about time and entropy. The film was produced by Nolan alongside his longtime producing partner Emma Thomas.
More About Tenet
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