Inception

Inception

Mind-bending sci-fi thriller about entering and manipulating dreams, exploring layers of reality and subconsciousness.

Category
Movie
Release Year
2001
Origin
United States/United Kingdom
Tags
sci-fi
thriller
psychological
dreams
reality
heist

Detailed Overview Information

Basic Information

Full Name
Inception
Aliases
The Dream Heist, Limbo
Type
Science Fiction Thriller Film
Release Year
2001
Status
Complete
Origin
United States
Region
United States/United Kingdom

Creation Information

Creator
Christopher Nolan
Publisher
Warner Bros. Pictures
Original Work
Original Screenplay
Genre
Science Fiction, Thriller, Heist, Psychological Drama, Action

Content Information

Synopsis
Dom Cobb is a skilled thief who specializes in extraction - stealing secrets from people's subconscious minds while they dream. He's offered a chance to have his criminal record erased in exchange for performing an inception - planting an idea rather than stealing one.
Main Characters
Dom Cobb, Arthur, Ariadne, Eames, Yusuf, Saito, Mal Cobb, Robert Fischer
Setting
Contemporary world with dream-sharing technology, multiple dream levels, various global locations
Themes
Reality vs. dreams, guilt and redemption, memory and forgetting, the power of ideas, love and loss
Target Audience
Adult audiences, sci-fi enthusiasts, thriller fans

Characters

Arthur
Point Man/Research SpecialistDream Extraction TeamMale30s

Meticulous researcher and Cobb's right-hand man, responsible for gathering intelligence and planning missions.

Abilities: Research and intelligence, Dream combat, Mission planning...
Quotes:
"You mustn't be afraid to dream a little bigger, darling."
""I am Arthur.""
"It would have to be a 747."
character
View Details
Dom Cobb
Extraction Specialist/Team LeaderIndependent ContractorMale40s

Skilled thief who specializes in entering people's dreams to steal their secrets, haunted by guilt over his wife's death...

Abilities: Dream extraction, Subconscious navigation, Team leadership...
Quotes:
"An idea is like a virus. Resilient. Highly contagious. And even the smallest seed of an idea can grow to define or destroy you."
""I am Dom Cobb.""
"What is the most resilient parasite? Bacteria? A virus? An intestinal worm? An idea."
character
View Details
Mal Cobb
Projection/MemorySubconscious ProjectionFemaleAppears as she was at death

Dom's deceased wife who appears as a dangerous projection in his dreams, representing his guilt and unresolved grief.

Abilities: Dream manipulation, Psychological warfare, Sabotage...
Quotes:
"You promised! You said we'd be together!"
""I am Mal Cobb.""
"What are the distinguishing characteristics of dreams?"
character
View Details
Robert Fischer Jr.
Target/HeirFischer IndustriesMale30s

Heir to a business empire, target of the inception mission to dissolve his father's company.

Abilities: Business acumen, Subconscious defenses, Emotional depth...
Quotes:
"I know what this is. You're trying to get me to break up my father's empire."
""I am Robert Fischer Jr..""
"My father accepts that I want to create for myself, not follow in his footsteps."
character
View Details
Subconscious Projections
Dream DefendersSubconscious DefenseVarious

Manifestations of the dreamer's subconscious that attack foreign presences in dreams.

Abilities: Hostile behavior, Increasing aggression, Coordinated attacks...
Quotes:
"They're projections of my subconscious."
""I am Subconscious Projections.""
"The mind creates them to defend against extraction."
character
View Details
Maurice Fischer
Business Magnate/Father FigureFischer IndustriesMale

Robert's dying father and powerful business magnate whose empire is the target of the mission.

Abilities: Business empire building, Influence, Legacy creation...
Quotes:
"I was disappointed that you tried."
""I am Maurice Fischer.""
""Every journey begins with a single step.""
character
View Details
Mr. Saito
Client/EmployerIndependent BusinessMale

Powerful businessman who hires Cobb's team to perform inception on his rival Robert Fischer.

Abilities: Business expertise, Wealth and influence, Strategic thinking...
Quotes:
"Inception. Is it possible?"
""I am Mr. Saito.""
""Every journey begins with a single step.""
character
View Details
Philippa and James Cobb
Cobb's ChildrenFamilyFemale and Male

Dom Cobb's young children whom he desperately wants to return to after being exiled.

Abilities: Childhood innocence, Emotional connection, Memory anchors
Quotes:
"Daddy! Daddy!"
""I am Philippa and James Cobb.""
""Every journey begins with a single step.""
character
View Details

Media Forms

Live Action Films
Original theatrical film
Merchandise
Spinning top replicas, art books, soundtracks, collectibles
Books
Art books, behind-the-scenes books, screenplay publications
Digital Content
Digital releases, streaming availability, bonus features
Games
Mobile apps, puzzle games based on dream mechanics

Commercial Information

Total Box Office
$836.8 million worldwide
Revenue
Over $800 million globally, major commercial success
Awards
4 Academy Awards (Cinematography, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, Visual Effects), 8 nominations total
Critical Reception
87% on Rotten Tomatoes, 74/100 on Metacritic, universal critical acclaim
Cultural Impact
Redefined sci-fi cinema, influenced countless films, became cultural phenomenon
Market Value
One of the highest-grossing original sci-fi films, valuable IP for Warner Bros.
Licensing
Extensive merchandise licensing, home video rights, streaming deals

Fan Culture

Fanbase
Global audience of sci-fi fans, film enthusiasts, Christopher Nolan devotees
Communities
Reddit communities, film forums, academic discussions, fan theory groups
Events
Film festivals, special screenings, academic conferences, fan conventions
Quotes
We need to go deeper, An idea is like a virus, You're waiting for a train
Memes
Spinning top ending, 'Inception' within 'Inception', dream level confusion, BRAAAM sound
Fan Art
Poster recreations, dream sequence art, character portraits, surreal interpretations
Fan Projects
Fan theories, video essays, analysis videos, tribute films
Collectibles
Spinning top replicas, movie posters, limited edition releases, art prints

Historical Development

2001
Christopher Nolan begins developing the concept
2009
Principal photography begins in multiple countries
2010
Inception premieres in London and releases worldwide
2011
Wins 4 Academy Awards, becomes cultural phenomenon
2020
Re-released in theaters during COVID-19 pandemic
2023
Continues to influence modern sci-fi filmmaking
Share this page