Theology and the Films of Christopher Nolan: Cinematic Transcendence
This work of theological film criticism provides an analysis of filmmaker Christopher Nolan's entire filmography, from Following (1998) to Oppenheimer (2023).

Though his films are noticeably lacking in representations of religion or references to God, Nolan's postsecular cinema is nevertheless worthy of our theological consideration, as it contains valuable theological and philosophical insights. Indeed, this is the central claim of Theology and the Films of Christopher Nolan: Christopher Nolan's films can and should be considered works of cinematic philosophical theology-they are doing theology and philosophy through the medium of film as they explore what it means to be human in relation to the transcendent. This book identifies the deep parallels and resonances between Nolan's films and the works of philosopher Paul Ricoeur and theologian St. Augustine. Like Nolan's cinema, Theology and the Films of Christopher Nolan is both intellectually stimulating and highly accessible, satisfying the interests of both scholars and popular audiences alike.

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Theology and the Films of Christopher Nolan: Cinematic Transcendence
This work of theological film criticism provides an analysis of filmmaker Christopher Nolan's entire filmography, from Following (1998) to Oppenheimer (2023).

Though his films are noticeably lacking in representations of religion or references to God, Nolan's postsecular cinema is nevertheless worthy of our theological consideration, as it contains valuable theological and philosophical insights. Indeed, this is the central claim of Theology and the Films of Christopher Nolan: Christopher Nolan's films can and should be considered works of cinematic philosophical theology-they are doing theology and philosophy through the medium of film as they explore what it means to be human in relation to the transcendent. This book identifies the deep parallels and resonances between Nolan's films and the works of philosopher Paul Ricoeur and theologian St. Augustine. Like Nolan's cinema, Theology and the Films of Christopher Nolan is both intellectually stimulating and highly accessible, satisfying the interests of both scholars and popular audiences alike.

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Theology and the Films of Christopher Nolan: Cinematic Transcendence

Theology and the Films of Christopher Nolan: Cinematic Transcendence

Theology and the Films of Christopher Nolan: Cinematic Transcendence

Theology and the Films of Christopher Nolan: Cinematic Transcendence

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Overview

This work of theological film criticism provides an analysis of filmmaker Christopher Nolan's entire filmography, from Following (1998) to Oppenheimer (2023).

Though his films are noticeably lacking in representations of religion or references to God, Nolan's postsecular cinema is nevertheless worthy of our theological consideration, as it contains valuable theological and philosophical insights. Indeed, this is the central claim of Theology and the Films of Christopher Nolan: Christopher Nolan's films can and should be considered works of cinematic philosophical theology-they are doing theology and philosophy through the medium of film as they explore what it means to be human in relation to the transcendent. This book identifies the deep parallels and resonances between Nolan's films and the works of philosopher Paul Ricoeur and theologian St. Augustine. Like Nolan's cinema, Theology and the Films of Christopher Nolan is both intellectually stimulating and highly accessible, satisfying the interests of both scholars and popular audiences alike.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781978711587
Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date: 10/16/2025
Series: Theology, Religion, and Pop Culture
Pages: 256
Product dimensions: 6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.11(d)

About the Author

Joel Mayward is Assistant Professor of Christian Ministries, Theology and the Arts at George Fox University in Oregon. He is author of five books including The Dardenne Brothers' Cinematic Parables: Integrating Theology, Philosophy, and Film (2022) and the forthcoming Theology and the Films of Christopher Nolan (2025). He is also a cultural critic and writes about the intersection of art and religion.

Table of Contents

Foreword by Kutter Callaway
Acknowledgments
Introduction: Theology and Christopher Nolan
1. Following: Fallible Man
2. Memento: Memory, History, Forgetting
3. Insomnia: Finitude and Guilt
4. The Dark Knight Trilogy: The Symbolism of Evil
5. The Prestige: Oneself as Another
6. Inception: The Conflict of Interpretations
7. Interstellar: The Course of Recognition
8. Dunkirk: History and Truth
9. Tenet: Time and Narrative
10. Oppenheimer: Living Up to Death
Conclusion: Nolan's Cinematic Transcendence

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