In Christopher Nolan’s The Prestige, which actor plays Alfred Borden?

Christian Bale plays Alfred Borden in Christopher Nolan’s The Prestige.

Borden is one of the two rival Victorian-era magicians whose professional competition drives the film. Bale’s character is opposed by Robert Angier, played by Hugh Jackman. Their rivalry begins with a tragedy during a magic performance and develops into an escalating struggle over secrets, reputation, and sacrifice.

The film also features Michael Caine as engineer and magician’s assistant John Cutter and David Bowie as the inventor Nikola Tesla. Those prominent performances can make the cast especially easy to confuse when identifying Borden.

The Prestige was released in 2006 and was adapted from Christopher Priest’s 1995 novel of the same title. Bale’s role is central to the film’s layered structure and its exploration of identity.