The Prestige has had a lasting impact on popular culture, influencing many films and TV shows that have followed in its footsteps. The movie's non-linear narrative and use of mystery and suspense have become a hallmark of many modern thrillers. The film's exploration of the human psyche, particularly in the context of obsession and ambition, has also been widely praised.

The film's narrative is presented in a non-linear fashion, jumping back and forth in time to reveal the story of two magicians, Angier (Hugh Jackman) and Borden (Christian Bale), who engage in competitive one-upmanship in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The story begins with the death of Angier's wife, Julia (Claire Danes), during a magic trick, which Borden inadvertently causes. This event sets off a chain reaction of obsession and rivalry between the two magicians, each trying to outdo the other in their craft.