Netflix Now Streaming Christopher Nolan’s Most Challenging and Divisive Film

Christopher Nolan’s 2020 sci-fi thriller Tenet is now available to stream on Netflix as of November 1st. Known for its complex narrative and mind-bending concepts, the film has sparked both admiration and debate since its release.

It’s happening. Tenet is now on Netflix. pic.twitter.com/Oh6JGpCZVu

— Netflix (@netflix) November 1, 2025

Tenet stars John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Dimple Kapadia, Michael Caine, and Kenneth Branagh. The story follows a former CIA agent who joins a secret organization to investigate mysterious objects moving backward through time and their connection to an attack originating from the future.

Nolan spent over a decade developing the central ideas of the film and more than five years writing the screenplay.

Pre-production began in late 2018, with casting in early 2019, and principal photography lasted six months in multiple countries. The release was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the UK premiere on August 26, 2020, and the US release on September 3, 2020. Tenet was Nolan’s last film released through Warner Bros. Pictures.

The movie became the first major Hollywood release during the pandemic, earning $365 million worldwide on a $205 million budget. Despite its strong box office performance, it did not break even and received mixed reviews from critics. Some praised its visuals and ambition, while others found the plot confusing. The film won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects and earned numerous nominations.

On Rotten Tomatoes, 70% of 378 critics gave positive reviews, with an average rating of 7/10. The site’s consensus reads: “A visually dazzling puzzle for film lovers to unlock, Tenet serves up all the cerebral spectacle audiences expect from a Christopher Nolan production.”

Metacritic gave it a score of 69 out of 100, indicating generally favorable reviews. Variety’s Guy Lodge described it as a “grandly entertaining, time-slipping spectacle,” while The Times’ Kevin Maher called it “a delightfully convoluted masterpiece.” Rolling Stone praised John David Washington as a “star-in-the-making” with natural grace in action sequences.

Some critics noted that while the film dazzles with spectacle and innovation, it can be hard to follow. The Hollywood Reporter wrote that it is “rich in audacity and originality” but “lacks a certain humanity.” The New York Times highlighted Nolan’s time-bending approach, calling it “hugely expensive, blissfully empty spectacle.” Denis Villeneuve, director of Dune, described Tenet as “a masterpiece” and “an incredible cinematic achievement.”

Many reviewers also compared Tenet to James Bond films, with Branagh’s villain receiving criticism for being a stereotypical Russian antagonist. Critics generally agreed that the film demands multiple viewings to fully understand its complex ideas, including time inversion and temporal paradoxes.

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