Although released in 2010, the $160m blockbusterInceptionbegan life many years earlier.
They were based in the principles that the world around you might not be real.
Consider, first of all, the nature of the PASIV machine inInceptionand the Game Pod ineXistenZ.
The unit inInception, therefore, becomes a tool for extracting (or later implanting) information.
But Nolan also describes the PASIV machines original purpose: it was created by the military to train soldiers.
The difference being, of course, that PASIVs original function was for training rather than entertainment.
Early inInception, we see an example of what can happen when one of Cobbs mind heists goes awry.
Cobb and his crew have tried to extract some information from Saito.
Tell us what you know!
Cobb says, throwing Saito to the floor and waving a gun at his head.
Its stained and frayed in such distinctive ways.
But very definitely made of wool.
Right now Im lying on polyester…
The sequence has an interesting parallel ineXistenZ.
She kicks the dust outside a country gas station and watches the particles form in the air.
We see her hand explore the rough texture of concrete.
Ted Pikul does a similar thing later on.
The completeness of it, the artistry of it.
This 60s chair and the texture of it.
In each film, Nolan and Cronenberg use a similar idea for different reasons.
Cronenberg subtly helps us to distinguish between these realities by changing the protagonists appearance.
InInception, the participants of shared dreams often bring their personal baggage along for the trip.
My subconscious populates your world, Cobb tells Ariadne.
The idea of subconscious thoughts affecting a virtual world is explored to similar, quite brilliant effect ineXistenZ.
The answers revealed ineXistenZs climax, which we wont reveal here.
Cronenbergs virtual reality videogames, just like Nolans dreams, provide a revealing window into their participants innermost thoughts.
InInception, of course, this concept is explored much further.
Events which should occur in a split second in everyday reality last for several minutes within a dream.
Having discussed all the waysInceptionandeXistenZcross paths, its also important to emphasise just how different each film is.
Inceptionis, like Nolan himself, coolly cerebral.
BotheXistenZandInceptionalso owe a debt to other films and writers.
Nolan may even have read Christopher Priests 1998 sci-fi novelThe Extremes,which also deals with artificial realities.
