Following
Performance & Direction: Following Review
Last updated: February 17, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Following (1999) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.1/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and Following features a noteworthy lineup led by Jeremy Theobald . Supported by the likes of Alex Haw and Lucy Russell , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: Following
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1999, Following is a Drama, Thriller film directed by Christopher Nolan. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Jeremy Theobald.
Story Breakdown
This character-driven narrative explores the internal and external conflicts that define the human experience. Bill, an idle, unemployed aspiring writer, walks the crowded streets of London following randomly chosen strangers, a seemingly innocent entertainment that becomes dangerous when he crosses paths with a mysterious character. The screenplay takes time to develop Jeremy Theobald's journey, allowing audiences to connect emotionally with their struggles and triumphs. Each scene builds upon the last, creating a cumulative emotional impact.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: We meet the main character in their ordinary world, establishing the emotional baseline before the inciting incident disrupts their life.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Jeremy Theobald's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The emotional climax brings character arcs to their natural conclusion, providing catharsis while staying true to the story's core themes.
Ending Explained: Following
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Christopher Nolan, Following resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to drama resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes involving Jeremy Theobald, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Following reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Following?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Jeremy Theobald or the director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
Box Office Collection: Following
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $6.0K |
| Worldwide Gross | $48.5K |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Following Budget
The estimated production budget for Following is $6.0K. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Following
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Where to Watch Following Online?
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YouTubeFollowing Parents Guide & Age Rating
1999 AdvisoryWondering about Following age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Following is 69 minutes (1h 9m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.1/10, and global performance metrics, Following is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1999 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Following worth watching?
Following is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 7.1/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Following parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Following identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Following?
The total duration of Following is 69 minutes, which is approximately 1h 9m long.
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How Following Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Following
An impressive, given the budget et al., feature film debut from Mr. Nolan! Not that the aforementioned is a surprise, of course. Still, this is a great watch, no doubt about it for me. I particularly appreciated the score, which is very good. Jeremy Theobald and Alex Haw give strong performances, especially the latter; who kept reminding me of a young Kevin Durand. As you'd expect, this has many early hallmarks of Nolan's work - the obvious being the non-linear storytelling. I really like how the story is told here, the premise is intriguing and it ends up wrapping up nicely. The 70 minute run time, although not unwelcome, is shorter than I wanted, only because I happily would've watched this flick develop further. I still gotta tick off 'Memento', 'Insomnia' and 'The Prestige' to complete Christopher Nolan's filmography. 'Following' is now logged and I'd recommend it. On the topic of this director's movies, I'd rank this higher than (the still very good) 'Dunkirk', 'The Dark Knight Rises' and, narrowly, 'Tenet'.
Following is Christopher Nolan’s low-budget debut film, crafted almost entirely on his own—from writing to editing—using non-professional actors and friends’ homes as sets. Despite its modest resources, the film delivers a compelling and complex narrative about a writer’s descent into deception after following the wrong person. With its clever dual meaning and signature nonlinear storytelling, Following demands full attention from viewers to fully grasp its layered plot and early glimpse of Nolan’s distinct filmmaking style. Read the full review here: (Indonesian version : alunauwie.com)
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This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.










