Is Tenet a Must-See Film Despite Its COVID-19 Challenges?

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on the film "Tenet," directed by Christopher Nolan, which explores complex themes of time manipulation and entropy. Participants note that the film incorporates advanced physics concepts, such as negative entropy and temporal inversion, but some argue it lacks grounding in actual physics. Despite its ambitious narrative and practical effects, "Tenet" reportedly suffered over $100 million in losses, attributed to COVID-19 restrictions and casting choices. Viewers express a mix of confusion and admiration for the film's intricate plot and visual storytelling.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic physics concepts, particularly entropy and time manipulation.
  • Familiarity with Christopher Nolan's filmmaking style and thematic elements.
  • Knowledge of M-theory and its implications in theoretical physics.
  • Awareness of the impact of COVID-19 on the film industry and box office performance.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research "negative entropy" and its implications in physics.
  • Explore Christopher Nolan's filmography and thematic consistency across his works.
  • Study M-theory and its relevance to contemporary physics discussions.
  • Investigate the effects of COVID-19 on film releases and box office trends.
USEFUL FOR

Film enthusiasts, physicists, and anyone interested in the intersection of cinema and complex scientific concepts will benefit from this discussion.

etotheipi
Anyone going to see it?

 
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let's stick to physics please, eto ;)
 
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charminglystrange said:
let's stick to physics please, eto ;)

Little known is that this film is actually just Christopher Nolan standing in front of a whiteboard for two hours explaining the mathematical symmetry of physical laws under the transformation ##t \rightarrow -t## in incredibly fine detail, marketed as a "time-bending thriller movie"...
 
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Saw it two days ago. Besides T -> -T, I think there are some hints about Parity:

- Road actions happens both in UK and Continental Europe, and that a car driving in the left side of the road under temporal inversion becomes a car driving in the right side.
- Spoiler: Annihilation of self and anti-self happens in a special room where you see yourself mirrored, but it is actually your anti-self
- Sea action happens in the sea area where Majorana dissapeared.
 
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Now, I wonder if Thorne has expressed some opinion about the film.
 
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Looks very intriguing. Love Nolan films. I'll be seeing this!
 
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I hear that after its theatrical run, they'll start production on it.
 
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Now, I hope they publish a "Nature cut version" of the film, all scenes going in the majoritary arrow of time, instead of the Protagonist timeframe.
 
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Saw the 70mm version at the local cinema with my partner. While we both found the love interest flimsy and forced, we really enjoyed the rest a lot. Definitely a movie we will be watching again several times.

I am delighted film makers like Nolan are around, that make interesting films with lots of practical effects.
 
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Tenet is already available in blu-rays and platforms so you can get them online.

I just watched it and my head spinning.

It may be one of the most incredible movies of the century. Christopher Nolan thought about it for 5 years or more and have probably discussed with physicists. I think it can help M-theory a lot because it injects new ideas and can help funding that needs billion dollars to involve all countries scientific institutions for years to come.

The movie is so complex (like M-theory) I don't understand it.

It involves negative entropy. There was a scene where two armies are fighting each other. One involves normal entropy, the other involves reverse entropy. Can anyone please explains the physics of it, because I just can't figure it out. Thank you.
 
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jake jot said:
It involves negative entropy. There was a scene where two armies are fighting each other. One involves normal entropy, the other involves reverse entropy. Can anyone please explains the physics of it, because I just can't figure it out. Thank you.

As Laura said, "don't try to understand it, feel it" :wink:... in other words, the film is not grounded in actual Physics.

Although a system that can exchange matter, work and heat with its surroundings can undergo a negative change in entropy, that's not at all what's portrayed.
 
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etotheipi said:
As Laura said, "don't try to understand it, feel it" :wink:... in other words, the film is not grounded in actual Physics.

Although a system that can exchange matter, work and heat with its surroundings can undergo a negative change in entropy, that's not at all what's portrayed.

You have a point. Negative entropy doesn't imply reverse time travel.

But there is one thing I can't understand. There were many fight or battle scenes in the movies. So let's take the case of 2 boxers. One use positive entropy, one use negative entropy. Let's say no time travel or time manipulation is involved. How can they punch each other when one is using positive and negative entropy? If someone can explain these. Then it can make a lot of scenes make sense.

I couldn't understand these so I paused halfway the movie and slept. But then I remembered M-theory and tried to watch til the end.

The movie is said to suffer more than $100 million losses. I wonder if it's the choice of actors or because of covid.
 
  • #13
The physics of it is basically pure magic as far as I'm concerned, but it's fun magic!

jake jot said:
The movie is said to suffer more than $100 million losses. I wonder if it's the choice of actors or because of covid.

Here it was only shown at one theater IIRC, and due to COVID-19 each group of related people had to have two seats empty on either side, as well as no one in front or behind. I recon about 30% of max capacity in practice. So regardless of merit that must have been a huge blow.
 
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Lord Crc said:
The physics of it is basically pure magic as far as I'm concerned, but it's fun magic!

Yes fun magic physics. So if your expensive vase fell down and break. And you apply reverse entropy, it can make the vase whole again? But not only can you make the vase whole again, you can raise the dead too, right? But in the movie, why is the dead not risen? what Tenet physics prevent that?

Here it was only shown at one theater IIRC, and due to COVID-19 each group of related people had to have two seats empty on either side, as well as no one in front or behind. I recon about 30% of max capacity in practice. So regardless of merit that must have been a huge blow.

No issues with the stars? The leading lady was 7 feet tall. And the black man. If they chose Brat Pitt and Nicole Kidman, won't it become box office hit? But you are right, the COVID may be the main factor?
 

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