Christopher Nolan’s Inception is among the most influential sci-fi movies of its time, and it features a hugely talented cast of actors that expertly bring the film’s narrative to life. The story takes place in a dystopian future, where ‘extractors’ have the ability to enter their target’s mind and retrieve important information at the wish of their clients. Inception follows two of these extractors as they journey deep into their target’s subconscious, gradually falling further and further into their dreams until they’re putting their own existence on the line. It’s a thrilling adventure from start to finish, and it practically reinvented the sci-fi genre using its complex filmmaking techniques.
Nolan’s bold storytelling is a highlight of Inception, and it’s through his complex characters that he really allows the story to shine. Despite being one of Christopher Nolan’s most confusing movies, Inception was incredibly successful and grew to be widely beloved by audiences all over the world. Not only was the film nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars in 2011, but it has also long maintained its #14 position on IMDb’s Top 250 Movies of All Time list. It wouldn’t have been anywhere near as successful without this talented cast of actors in front of the camera, as everybody brings something unique and different to their role.
Leonardo DiCaprio as Dominic Cobb
Cobb is the protagonist of Inception, and it’s from his perspective that the majority of the narrative unfolds. He’s one of two extractors that lead the film’s central operation, specially selected for the job thanks to his impressive espionage skills. Widely considered among the best actors in film history, DiCaprio is the most recognizable name in Inception’s cast, and he carries many of the film’s emotional beats on his back. His other works include James Cameron’s Titanic, Martin Scorsese’s The Wolf of Wall Street, and his Oscar-winning project The Revenant.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Arthur
Arthur is the second of Inception’s two extractors, but his role in the operation is much more focused on the behind-the-scenes planning. He’s quieter than Dom, but his levels of intelligence and strategy are just as impressive when they need to be. Gordon-Levitt brings a much-needed sense of humanity that grounds the film when its sci-fi concepts threaten to lean too far into the absurd, and it’s impossible to imagine any other actor doing that so effectively. His previous projects include romantic comedies 10 Things I Hate About You and (500) Days Of Summer.
Elliot Page as Ariadne
Ariadne is one of Elliot Page’s greatest roles, playing an integral part in the story and serving an invaluable purpose for Cobb on his mission. She joins Cobb’s team as the architectural planner, working in the lab to devise the most effective methods of navigating these complex dreamspaces. The character also serves to teach the audience about the film’s many complex ideas, which makes her an immensely useful tool for the narrative. She’s played by Elliot Page, whose performance is hugely entertaining and really adds some humor to the story. His other works include Juno, Flatliners, and Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy.
Tom Hardy as Eames
Eames is another hugely important member of Cobb’s extraction squad, providing the team with his expert knowledge of forgery and identity theft. He allows the group to effectively navigate the dream worlds without being detected, which makes Cobb’s and Arthur’s job much easier. Hardy brings a great energy to the character as Eames’ role in Cobb’s team is crucial and he knows it. It really sets him apart (both morally and physically) from his associates in a fascinating way. He’s also known for his work in Mad Max: Fury Road, Locke, and Sony’s Venom franchise.
Ken Watanabe as Mr. Saito
Mr. Saito is the employer of Cobb’s team and the wealthy businessman who’s benefitting from the entire operation. He doesn’t play a huge role in the actual journey of the central characters, but he’s constantly in the shadows and Watanabe ensures that his presence is constantly felt. His character perfectly raises the stakes of the film, putting an actual face to the mysterious force that’s brought all these talented individuals together. It was Watanabe’s first English-language role based in a contemporary setting, and he couldn’t have captured the intensity of this character more effectively. He’s also known for his works in The Last Samurai and Godzilla.
Cillian Murphy as Robert Michael Fischer
Cillian Murphy’s sci-fi movies peaked with Inception, where he played the wealthy heir to a business tycoon, Robert Michael Fischer. He was the target of Cobb’s entire operation, which aimed to extract crucial information from his memories and bring him down for good. Murphy gave a brilliant performance as this immature millionaire, really playing with the ideas of petulance and impatience to make his character as annoying and frustrating as possible. Murphy is best known for playing the lead role in TV’s Peaky Blinders, but he’s also been involved in several popular movies, such as 28 Days Later and Nolan’s own Batman Begins.
Marion Cotillard as Mal Cobb
Although she doesn’t have much time on-screen in Inception, Marion Cotillard’s character Mal is a hugely important aspect of the story. After marrying Cobb many years ago, she sadly took her own life, which caused her husband to suffer a severe breakdown of guilt. There are several exciting fan theories about her character in Inception, but she mostly serves as a manifestation of Cobb’s guilt and shame regarding his own involvement in her death. She’s a tragic character, but she’s necessary to understand Cobb’s own intentions and ideologies. Cotillard has also worked on several other successful movies, such as Annette and La Vie en Rose.
Michael Caine as Professor Stephen Miles
Professor Miles is another character that acts mostly from the shadows in Inception, serving as both Cobb’s personal mentor and Ariadne’s educational tutor. He’s the one that initially brings the pair together, recommending Ariadne for the job and giving Cobb all the advice that he’ll later use to execute the operation so effectively. Nolan and Caine have collaborated several times, and while his appearances are rarely more than a cameo, his role in Inception definitely adds a lot to the story; he humanizes Cobb in a way that few other characters can. Caine has also shared his talents in The Italian Job and The Dark Knight.
Inception’s Supporting Cast & Characters
Dileep Rao as Yusuf - Yusuf is a complicated character in Inception, and while he only appears in a couple of scenes, his actions are hugely important. He’s a chemist that provides Cobb with all the materials and elements necessary to bring the technical side of his plan together.
Tom Berenger as Peter Browning - Browning is one of several executives at Robert Fischer’s company, which finds itself the target of Cobb’s complex attack. He’s Robert’s uncle, though their relationship is always presented as more paternal. Inception might be a confusing movie, but his relationship with Fischer explains much of the complicated plot.
Pete Postlethwaite as Maurice Fischer - Maurice Fischer is the father of Cillian Murphy’s Robert Fischer - and currently the owner of the Fischer company. Inception sees him during his last days of life, as Robert prepares to take the company from him. This relationship really helps establish Robert as a character and an antagonist.