How Stanley Kubrick Shaped Generations of Filmmakers？

Stanley Kubrick was a highly influential director in world cinema. Despite leaving behind only 13 feature films over his 40-year career, his oeuvre of sharply structured yet expansively visionary films has continually posed vital questions from its inception, leaving a profound impact on countless cinephiles and filmmakers worldwide.

Through each character, Kubrick reshaped the landscape of cinema, with notable works including Dr. Strangelove, 2001: A Space Odyssey, A Clockwork Orange, and Barry Lyndon. Among his admirers are prominent directors such as Christopher Nolan, Yorgos Lanthimos, Jonathan Glazer, Paul Thomas Anderson, and Denis Villeneuve. This piece delves into Kubrick's influence on contemporary cinema through the lens of various filmmakers inspired by his work.

Christopher Nolan | 2001: A Space Odyssey

Among Kubrick's 13 feature films, the sci-fi masterpiece 2001: A Space Odyssey is undoubtedly one of his most iconic works. Kubrick's influence on Christopher Nolan is unmistakable, particularly evident in the rotating corridor scene in Inception, directly inspired by 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Set in 2001, revisiting this 1968 film today evokes even more profound resonances. With sparse dialogue, prolonged black screens, and the omnipresent monolith, the film may initially appear cryptic. However, its prescient exploration of themes such as space travel, extraterrestrial intelligence, and the potential dangers of artificial intelligence remains timeless. Kubrick's foresight is evident, notably in the iconic scene of the apes tossing bones into the air, seamlessly transitioning to a futuristic space voyage, capturing the essence of space exploration millennia later.

Nolan openly expresses his admiration for Kubrick, particularly praising Kubrick's purity of imagery and the power of visuals. From Memento to Inception, Interstellar, and Dunkirk, Nolan's films often prompt comparisons to Kubrick, with audiences pondering whether Nolan might indeed be the contemporary equivalent of Kubrick. For Nolan, Kubrick remains incomparable, with childhood memories of watching 2001: A Space Odyssey as his earliest cinematic inspiration. As Nolan puts it, "Many of my ideas come from him, not stepping in his footsteps, but creating new things out of inspiration."

Kubrick's most significant impact on Nolan lies in the calmness and precision of his visuals. Kubrick's innate serenity and confidence in crafting powerful imagery leave Nolan in awe, prompting him to reconsider the many techniques he employs in his works. Kubrick's ability to present his vision with clarity and simplicity, devoid of unnecessary complexity, underscores his mastery.

Yorgos Lanthimos | The Shining & Barry Lyndon

Yorgos Lanthimos, director of the film Poor Things, which won four major awards at the Oscars, joins the ranks of esteemed directors who admire Kubrick. Lanthimos, known for his absurdist, surreal, and darkly humorous films, often incorporates elements reminiscent of Kubrick's style and themes.

In The Favourite, Lanthimos portrays the rise of a new aristocrat with ambitions for power, evoking parallels with Barry Lyndon through its costume design, set decoration, cinematography, and narrative. Despite being set in the 18th century, The Favourite employs slow fade-in and fade-out effects reminiscent of The Shining's blurred temporal and spatial boundaries.

In Dogtooth, the posture struck by the sisters resembles the ghostly presence of the Grady twins; the black-and-white monochromatic silhouette poster crafted for The Lobster evokes memories of Saul Bass's black-and-yellow designs in The Shining. Furthermore, Lanthimos's use of tracking shots in The Killing of a Sacred Deer echoes Kubrick's filmmaking techniques, showcasing the profound extent of Kubrick's influence.

Jonathan Glazer | 2001: A Space Odyssey

Jonathan Glazer's Under the Skin begins with a sci-fi flair, utilizing a familiar computer-glitch-style blackout to captivate the audience. The outage duration is just right, focusing the viewers' attention. A small white dot emerges in the center of the black screen, gradually enlarging as it moves closer, forming a circular pattern. With the introduction of vibrant and colorful hues, it almost feels like witnessing the birth of a new life or the imagery of a spacecraft docking or separating. The profound sense of the vastness of space and the journey of spacecraft, coupled with the enigmatic monosyllabic language that defies human interpretation, immediately evokes the epic space imagery of Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey. Whether it's an homage to Jonathan Glazer or the sheer beauty and atmosphere of the entire scene, audiences naturally associate it with the scenario of extraterrestrial birth—a visual journey through space filled with abstract liquid humanoid forms and close-ups of human eyes.

Jonathan Glazer's homage to Stanley Kubrick is not just a nod to a master filmmaker but a profound expression of admiration and respect. His approach in this film is not just a continuation of Kubrick's style but a bold evolution, with more innovative techniques and deeper, more obscure thematic expressions.

Paul Thomas Anderson | 2001: A Space Odyssey

Paul Thomas Anderson's encounter with Stanley Kubrick on the Eyes Wide Shut set was a transformative moment in his career. Kubrick's calm and even cold style left a deep impression on Anderson, shaping his filmmaking techniques and becoming a lifelong inspiration.

It's been said that the closest Paul Thomas Anderson ever got to Stanley Kubrick was during There Will Be Blood (2007). The most "Stanley Kubrick" part of There Will Be Blood is the climax of the entire film. Oil tycoon Daniel not only exposes preacher Paul Sunday's true nature in the face of money but also forces this seemingly upright preacher to quickly abandon his faith, repeating the phrase "I am a false prophet; God is a superstition" eight times—a seemingly "blasphemous" oath.

At this point, it's an unspoken understanding worldwide, including by Paul Thomas Anderson himself, that even though there's still some distance between him and his idol Stanley Kubrick, he has undoubtedly inherited Stanley Kubrick's calm and insightful shooting style, propelling him into the ranks of great directors.

Denis Villeneuve | 2001: A Space Odyssey

Denis Villeneuve's early exposure to 2001: A Space Odyssey had a profound and lasting impact on his artistic sensibilities. The film's ability to address profound societal issues with freedom and distance resonated deeply with Villeneuve, a quality he has carried into his works like Arrival and Dune.

In an interview, Denis Villeneuve stated, "Stanley Kubrick has profoundly influenced me as a director. Undoubtedly, he's one of the greatest directors of all time. In my exploration of cinema, if we talk about achieving a balance between precision and purity, between reason and emotion, Stanley Kubrick has reached a level that is difficult for others to attain."

Therefore, Stanley Kubrick's impact on cinema transcends his limited filmography. His works not only occupy a significant place in film history but also continue to inspire audiences and filmmakers worldwide. From Dr. Strangelove to 2001: A Space Odyssey, from A Clockwork Orange to Barry Lyndon, Kubrick's exploration of human fate and future reshaped cinematic styles. His calm, insightful filmmaking techniques have deeply influenced a new generation of directors, ensuring his legacy endures in contemporary cinema's evolution.