This Noir Horror Has Such a Mind-Blowing Twist Even Christopher Nolan Didn't See It Coming

Memento, released in 2000, made Christopher Nolan one of the most inventive and talented filmmakers of our time.

The movie somehow manages to be both simple and complex at the same time. The main trick of Memento is its non-linear narrative, similar to puzzle pieces that eventually come together to form a single image, leading the viewer to a shocking finale.

Christopher Nolan himself is a connoisseur of works that surprise viewers at the end, forcing them to rethink what they have just seen.

Christopher Nolan Praises Angel Heart and Its Unexpected Finale

The most successful example of this trick, according to the director, is the unjustly forgotten neo-noir horror film Angel Heart by Alan Parker, starring Robert De Niro and Mickey Rourke. In an interview with Filmaclock, the director said:

“That's a movie that Alan Parker made that has this incredible twist at the end, that sort of changes everything you've seen. [...] You could go back and watch it again and be surprised that you hadn't noticed certain elements of the story that lead up to that ending.”

Nolan noted that Angel Heart tricks the viewer, but does so in a fair and honest way, scattering hints and clues throughout the story. This is what makes Angel Heart rewatchable even today, almost 40 years after its release.

What Is Angel Heart About?

Angel Heart combines noir, mysticism, and horror. Detective Harry Angel encounters devilish cults and sacrifices to learn the monstrous truth about himself.

He is asked to find musician Johnny Favorite, who has lost his memory. Following a confusing trail, Harry encounters a series of brutal murders. He quickly realizes that he must look the other way: the one he is looking for is actually somewhere very close.

Dark atmosphere, biblical motifs, existential questions – the movie tries to rethink the idea of good and evil in a human being.

Angel Heart Is the First Film Darren Aronofsky Watched Twice in a Row

Another argument in favor of Angel Heart being worth revisiting for those who haven't seen it yet is the fact that it is admired not only by Christopher Nolan, but also by another modern classic – Darren Aronofsky.

The director once said on his X account:

“at 18 backpacking europe, often broke, i'd spend a lot of time escaping rain in movie theaters. saw ALAN PARKER'S ANGEL HEART that way in Paris & it was the first time i sat through credits & watched a film again.”

In addition, the director admitted that it was then that he first saw Mickey Rourke and was amazed by his acting. In 2008, Aronofsky cast Rourke in his film The Wrestler.

The actor's career was going through a crisis at the time, which was partially resolved after the success of The Wrestler. Mickey Rourke won a Golden Globe and a BAFTA Award for his performance in the lead role. Aronofsky, in turn, noted that it was an honor for him to remind the whole world what a talented actor he is.