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In a realm where reality blurs with fantasy, a master thief must use his extraordinary skill in extraction to plant an idea instead of stealing one. Haunted by a tragic past, Dominic Cobb seeks redemption through a perilous mission: inception. As he assembles a team of experts, they face a cunning foe who seems to anticipate their every move. The perfect crime is within reach, but at what cost?

In a realm where reality blurs with fantasy, a master thief must use his extraordinary skill in extraction to plant an idea instead of stealing one. Haunted by a tragic past, Dominic Cobb seeks redemption through a perilous mission: inception. As he assembles a team of experts, they face a cunning foe who seems to anticipate their every move. The perfect crime is within reach, but at what cost?

Does Inception have end credit scenes?

No!

Inception does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of Inception

Explore the complete cast of Inception, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for Inception

See how Inception is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where Inception stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Metacritic

74

Metascore

8.8

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

87%

TOMATOMETER

review

91%

User Score

IMDb

8.8 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

84

%

User Score

Take the Ultimate Inception Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of Inception with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


Inception Quiz: Test Your Knowledge: Challenge your understanding of the complex layers and themes presented in the 2010 film 'Inception'.

Who plays the character Dominick 'Dom' Cobb?

Awards & Nominations for Inception

Explore awards

Discover all the awards and nominations received by Inception, from Oscars to film festival honors. Learn how Inception and its cast and crew have been recognized by critics and the industry alike.


83rd Academy Awards 2011

Nomination

Art Direction

Win

Cinematography

Nomination

Music (Original Score)

Nomination

Best Picture

Win

Sound Editing

Win

Sound Mixing

Win

Visual Effects

Nomination

Writing (Original Screenplay)

64th British Academy Film Awards 2011

Nomination

Best Film

Christopher Nolan
Nomination

Best Direction

Christopher Nolan
Nomination

Best Original Screenplay

Nomination

Best Cinematography

Nomination

Best Editing

Nomination

Best Original Music

Win

Best Production Design

Win

Best Sound

Win

Best Special Visual Effects

16th Critics' Choice Awards 2011

Nomination

Best Picture

Christopher Nolan
Nomination

Best Director

Christopher Nolan
Christopher Nolan
Nomination

Best Original Screenplay

Christopher Nolan
Win

Best Action Movie

Win

Best Art Direction

Win

Best Cinematography

Wally Pfister
Lauren Lee Smith
Win

Best Editing

Lauren Lee Smith
Nomination

Best Score

Hans Zimmer
Win

Best Sound

Win

Best Visual Effects

17th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards 2011

Win

Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture

63rd Directors Guild of America Awards 2011

Christopher Nolan
Nomination

Feature Film

Christopher Nolan

26th Artios Award 2011

Nomination

Outstanding Achievement in Casting - Big Budget Feature - Drama

68th Golden Globe Awards 2011

Nomination

Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy

Christopher Nolan
Nomination

Best Director

Christopher Nolan
Nomination

Best Screenplay

Nomination

Best Original Score

37th Saturn Awards 2011

Nomination

Best Actress

Nomination

Best Supporting Actor

Christopher Nolan
Win

Best Director

Christopher Nolan

8th Irish Film & Television Awards 2011

Nomination

Best International Film

Leonardo DiCaprio
Nomination

International Actor

Leonardo DiCaprio

82nd Academy Awards 2010

Win

Sound Editing

Win

Sound Mixing

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for Inception

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Read the complete plot summary of Inception, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


Dominick “Dom” Cobb, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, along with his business partner Arthur, portrayed by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, are known as “extractors.” These skilled individuals specialize in corporate espionage, utilizing an innovative military technology to delve into their targets’ subconscious and procure valuable information through shared dreaming. Their current assignment involves Japanese businessman Saito, a character played by Ken Watanabe.

However, their operation takes an unexpected turn when it is thwarted by a haunting memory of Cobb’s late wife, Mal. Following a betrayal from an associate, Saito discloses that he was actually testing the team for an even more challenging mission—performing “inception,” which is the art of implanting an idea into someone’s subconscious mind. Saito’s goal is to dismantle the energy conglomerate run by his rival, Maurice Fischer. To achieve this, he enlists Cobb to embed the notion of breaking up the company into the mind of Fischer’s heir, Robert Fischer, a role played by Cillian Murphy. In return, Saito offers to use his connections to clear Cobb from a murder charge, thus allowing him to reunite with his children. Cobb, desperate to go home, agrees to the task.

To execute this complex heist, Cobb gathers a talented team: Eames, a conman and forger played by Tom Hardy; Yusuf, a chemist responsible for creating the potent sedative needed for a stable “dream within a dream” operation, portrayed by Dileep Rao; and Ariadne, an architecture student assigned the critical job of designing the intricate dream landscapes, played by Elliot Page. Saito insists on being part of the team to ensure their success.

The operation begins when the elder Fischer passes away in Sydney, and Robert takes his body back to Los Angeles, providing the team an opportunity to isolate him. Cobb puts Fischer under sedation, pulling him into a shared dream where they can manipulate the dream layers. As they navigate this multilayered dreamscape, they must devise “kicks” to synchronize their waking moments without losing themselves entirely to the perilous Limbo—a vast, uncharted space of subconscious.

In their initial level, set in a rain-soaked downtown, the team manages to abduct Fischer, yet they face danger from his subconscious projections, resulting in Saito sustaining serious injuries. Eames then shapeshifts into Fischer’s godfather to manipulate him into questioning his father’s will. The filming continues in the second layer, a hotel environment crafted by Arthur, where the team convinces Fischer that he is in the midst of his kidnapping.

As they plunge deeper, an avalanche emerges owing to a poorly timed kick initiated by Yusuf. Arthur, ever resourceful, devises an alternative kicking strategy to ensure they exit the dream levels before calamity strikes. Unfortunately, Saito succumbs to his wounds in the third layer, meanwhile an apparition of Mal, Cobb’s projection of his dead wife, sabotages their plans by fatally wounding Fischer, which leads them all into Limbo.

Cobb and Ariadne bravely venture into the abyss in search of Fischer and Saito, while Eames sets a plan into motion to transition them back to reality. Cobb confesses his past with Mal, disclosing the despair and heartbreak of losing her. The narrative builds toward an intense climax where Ariadne pushes Fischer, enabling him to embrace the implanted idea—a crucial turning point in their mission.

As the team executes the synchronized kicks, they manage to escape the dreams while Cobb finally reunites with Saito. The two awaken as the entire team, along with Fischer, find themselves back on an airplane, now free from the deeply ingrained subconscious struggles they faced.

Upon his return to Los Angeles, Cobb finally passes through customs and meets his father-in-law, who assists in reuniting him with his children. In a told and gripping sequence, Cobb spins a top to determine whether he is still dreaming or has returned to reality. Ultimately, he chooses to disregard the outcome, instead opting to embrace the joy of being with his family.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for Inception

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Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from Inception. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


Official Trailer

Official New UK Trailer

35mm Theatrical Trailer #3 [5.1] [4K] [FTD-0706]

Cars Featured in Inception

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Explore all cars featured in Inception, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


Acura

1998

CL

BMW

1984

3 E30

BMW

1990

3 E30

BMW

1999

7 E38

Buick

1992

LeSabre

Buick

2000

LeSabre

Cadillac

1997

DeVille

Chrysler

1983

New Yorker

Citroën

2006

C3

Citroën

2005

C4

Movie Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


dreamambiguous endingsubconsciousmindbendersurprise endingpsycho thrillerarchitecturepsychological manipulationfantasy becomes realitydeceptionfalling from heightarchitectmemorykidnappingdream sequence within a dream sequencedream within a dreamchildsuspensemarriagesuicidesuicide attemptspinning toptitle spoken by characterwritten by directormanipulationdream sequenceelevatorairplanefalse memoryguiltdream within a dream within a dreambathtubhotelbartrainteamworkcorporate espionageneo noirnonlinear timelinehaunted by the pastdisguisejumping from heighthallwaytied to a chairhostageensemble castdeathrevengeambiguityproduced by director

Articles, Reviews & Explainers About Inception

Stay updated on Inception with in-depth articles, critical reviews, and ending explainers. Explore hidden meanings, major themes, and expert insights into the film’s story and impact.


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