The Zero Theorem

| Release Date: September 19, 2014

6.6	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 60 Ratings

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JE61Oct 24, 2014

Quirky and philosophical, The Zero Theorem follows in the idiom of many of Mr. Gilliam's previous films. There is an intense discomfort with technology and the alienation of modern life where the search for meaning reveals only more profoundQuirky and philosophical, The Zero Theorem follows in the idiom of many of Mr. Gilliam's previous films. There is an intense discomfort with technology and the alienation of modern life where the search for meaning reveals only more profound layers of ambiguity. This is a harrowing examination of the paradoxes of love, faith in the face of the inexorable chaos of human life. You'll dig The Zero Theorem if you are at peace with living in doubt. If you need to feel reassured that everything will ultimately comfortably resolved, you will need to look for it somewhere else… Expand

4 of 4 users found this helpful40

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StaticSpineNov 13, 2014

This movie is a huge allusion on our modern society and our place in it. At first The Zero Theorem seems like a bright and quirky mess, but later you can just start seeing yourself in Christoph Waltz's characters: you do not get why shouldThis movie is a huge allusion on our modern society and our place in it. At first The Zero Theorem seems like a bright and quirky mess, but later you can just start seeing yourself in Christoph Waltz's characters: you do not get why should you go to the office to work, you feel like your life has no meaning, you have lost contatc with other people and along with that you just forget that you still have a life to live and enjoy. I can't understand why the score is so low.… Expand

4 of 4 users found this helpful40

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SatiricalewokNov 7, 2014

This is Gilliam unleashed, and it is quite the visual spectacle, however at times it lacks a certain cohesiveness amongst the chaos, putting it below his best works like Brazil and 12 Monkeys, but it is still a massively enjoyable film with aThis is Gilliam unleashed, and it is quite the visual spectacle, however at times it lacks a certain cohesiveness amongst the chaos, putting it below his best works like Brazil and 12 Monkeys, but it is still a massively enjoyable film with a superb central performance from Christoph Waltz.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

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manofthemoonFeb 16, 2015

"Brazil" lite. Well made and acted, but you feel as if you've seen it before. The story is slight and the plot an inconvenience, throw in a large sense of "12 Monkeys" and it's Gilliam by numbers. Still more interesting than most films,"Brazil" lite. Well made and acted, but you feel as if you've seen it before. The story is slight and the plot an inconvenience, throw in a large sense of "12 Monkeys" and it's Gilliam by numbers. Still more interesting than most films, though. Worth it if you're a die hard Gilliam fan.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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frankrog29Sep 25, 2014

The main criticism of The Zero Theorem seems to be that it lacks a plot, or that the plot is poorly developed. This complaint just demonstrates that movie viewers want a canned, straightforward, easily explained plot, and they shut down ifThe main criticism of The Zero Theorem seems to be that it lacks a plot, or that the plot is poorly developed. This complaint just demonstrates that movie viewers want a canned, straightforward, easily explained plot, and they shut down if they don't get one. The thing is, this movie does have a plot, it's just loosely structured and never fully explained. With this film, Mr. Gilliam wants to challenge the viewer and make him or her guess what's really happening. I for one love to be challenged by movies that leave the story open to interpretation. The Zero Theorem is not Mr. Gilliam's best work. However, like the director's other movies, this movie is ingenious and really fun to watch. Mr. Gilliam is still a cinematic master so go out and see The Zero Theorem!… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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RabidprimateJan 17, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A cynical retelling of a good part of Douglas Adams Life the universe and Everything. Instead of deep thought taking millions of years to find the answer to everything the protagonist has been tasked with finding if everything we do is for nothing. A good movie that may not go where you were looking for it to go but to where it wants you to go. If you are a Gilliam fan or want a movie with a darker Douglas Adams feel i would deff put this on the to watch list.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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MercentOct 12, 2014

'Why would you want to prove all is for nothing?' This quote from the movie pretty much sums it up. Don't read any reviews, including this one, and since you are now reading it, you have failed to fullfil the imperative. So in the same way,'Why would you want to prove all is for nothing?' This quote from the movie pretty much sums it up. Don't read any reviews, including this one, and since you are now reading it, you have failed to fullfil the imperative. So in the same way, when you watch the film to find what is the meaning of life, the fact that you are watching a Gilliam film makes it so you will not find any, since Gilliam will always kindle warm fuzzies in your heart at first but leave a void in your guts after.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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Yury_VorobyovFeb 1, 2015

This film is living proof that almost every individual is idiot by measure of current state of science (look how much critics did not even understand its meaning).

If you don't know basics like group theory, differential geometry, partialThis film is living proof that almost every individual is idiot by measure of current state of science (look how much critics did not even understand its meaning).

If you don't know basics like group theory, differential geometry, partial differential equations, variational calculus and some more, you are just casual and useless. Main hero is not casual. Most humans don't even understand how it hurts to be genius. By definition genius is someone who transferred his own tragedy into science light. This is most pure transfusion of all.

After all, ask Grisha Perelman about what is to be first of all minds.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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Tss5078Feb 5, 2018

When you watch a Terry Gilliam film, you should expect for there to be a fair amount of weirdness. When you add Science Fiction to the mix, there is the possibility that anything can happen. With this in mind, I was really excited to see TheWhen you watch a Terry Gilliam film, you should expect for there to be a fair amount of weirdness. When you add Science Fiction to the mix, there is the possibility that anything can happen. With this in mind, I was really excited to see The Zero Theorem, and what I got was simply one of the worst films I have ever seen! Qohen Leth (Christoph Waltz) is a computer genius, who has been assigned by Management to discover the meaning of life. He does this alone in an old abandoned church. This movie made absolutely no sense to the point where I don't even know how the hell to describe it in any way that would do it justice. Waltz is running around like a madman the entire time, talking so fast, with that accent, that he's impossible to understand. He meets Tilda Swinton at some type of party, and she keeps showing up for some unknown reason, personally I just think it's because she's weird and she likes being in weird movies. Waltz has all these odd computer programs, strange characters he interacts with and talks non-sense with, all in a film that moves faster than his internet connection. I really just didn't understand a thing that was going on and watching it a number of times or doing any amount of any drug in the world wouldn't change that. How is a solitary man playing strange computer games supposed to discover the meaning of life? Who are all these people who keep showing up? What in the hell are they talking about, and what does anything have to do with anything? I'm not entirely sure that another person on this planet besides Terry Gilliam understands what was going on in this film. All I know is that no one should have ever been exposed to whatever this nightmare was intended to be.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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BikerjamesMay 26, 2015

With Terry Gilliam's films it's all about the ride, not necessarily the destination. Christoph Waltz gives his usual stellar performance, and the acting throughout is excellent, but my favorite performance in the film is by Mélanie Thierry.With Terry Gilliam's films it's all about the ride, not necessarily the destination. Christoph Waltz gives his usual stellar performance, and the acting throughout is excellent, but my favorite performance in the film is by Mélanie Thierry. If you've seen his other films, especially Brazil, you will have a sense of Deja Vu, as Mr. Gilliam seems obsessed with finding the meaning of life. Visually striking and always interesting. Recommended… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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LeZeeNov 4, 2017

A gamer and his scientific goal.

Honestly, this is the first film from Terry Gilliam I did not enjoy. I feel very bad to rate such a low for his film. Literally, there was no story in it. Just a confused character and the events surround himA gamer and his scientific goal.

Honestly, this is the first film from Terry Gilliam I did not enjoy. I feel very bad to rate such a low for his film. Literally, there was no story in it. Just a confused character and the events surround him unfolds in a weird way. The characters, settings, I thought it had potential. Visually, it was the same Terry Gilliam style film, but the screenplay failed to have impressive developments. Nonetheless, Christopher Waltz was so good.

It is being more a gamer's tale is what turned down. Seeing the title, I anticipated something brilliant or mind-bender. Though most of the film it was the main character who hold the joystick and try to achieve a scientific goal. The Melanie Thierry part was good. Brought some cheers, but did not end properly. The film did not fare well among the film goers. Mostly a mixed response. But I think it was a below average, especially coming from such a great director.

3/10… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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