Movie of the Day: The Universal Theory (2023) by Timm Kröger

The Universal Theory" (German: "Die Theorie von Allem") is a 2023 mystery thriller directed by Timm Kröger, co-written with Roderick Warich. Set in 1962, the film follows physicist Johannes Leinert, who attends a scientific congress in the Swiss Alps. There, he encounters Karin, a mysterious jazz pianist with inexplicable knowledge about him. As a series of enigmatic incidents, including mysterious deaths and strange natural phenomena, unfold, Johannes and Karin delve into the secrets concealed within the mountainous locale.

Themes:

• Quantum Mechanics and Reality: The film explores the intersection of advanced physics and the nature of reality, delving into complex scientific concepts.

• Mystery and Paranoia: It builds a narrative filled with suspense, enigmatic events, and a sense of creeping paranoia.

• Homage to Classic Cinema: Shot in black and white, the film pays tribute to the aesthetics and storytelling techniques of mid-20th-century cinema.

Awards and Nominations: 7 wins & 15 nominations

"The Universal Theory" premiered in competition at the 80th Venice International Film Festival on September 3, 2023. It received several nominations and awards, including:

• German Film Awards (2024):

  • Best Cinematography (Won)

  • Best Production Design (Won)

  • Best Visual Effects (Won)

  • Best Film (Nominated)

  • Best Director for Timm Kröger (Nominated)

  • Best Score for Diego Ramos Rodríguez (Nominated)

• German Film Critics Association Awards (2024):

  • Best Music for Diego Ramos Rodríguez (Won)

  • Best Film (Nominated)

  • Best Actor for Gottfried Breitfuss (Nominated)

  • Best Screenplay for Timm Kröger and Roderick Warich (Nominated)

  • Best Cinematography for Roland Stuprich (Nominated)

• Venice Film Festival (2023):

  • Golden Lion (Nominated)

Critical Reception:

The film has garnered generally favorable reviews:

• Rotten Tomatoes: Holds an approval rating of 69% based on 26 reviews, with an average rating of 6.6/10.

  Rotten Tomatoes

• Metacritic: Assigned a score of 59 out of 100, based on 8 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.

• Financial Times: Described as "a visually dazzling retro exercise in paranoid Alpine sci-fi noir," with a five-star rating.

  Financial Times

• Sight and Sound (BFI): Praised as a "deliciously cryptic quantum thriller," noting its homage to film noir and thriller genres.

  BFI

Box Office Performance:

As of now, the film has grossed approximately $531,032 worldwide.

Production Companies:

• Ma.ja.de. Fiction

• The Barricades

• Panama Film

• Catpics AG

• ZDF/ARTE

• Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen / SRG SSR

Sales: Charades (France)

Distribution:

France: UFO Distribution

Germany: Neue Visionen Filmverleih, ood movies!

Italy: Movies Inspired

Spain: La Aventura Audiovisual

United Kingdom: Picturehouse Entertainment

United States: Oscilloscope

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt18453866/

Link Review: https://variety.com/2023/film/reviews/the-universal-theory-review-the-theory-of-everything-1235711858/

About movie: https://www.crew-united.com/en/The-Universal-Theory__263167.html

Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-theory-of-everything-2023 (US), https://www.justwatch.com/fr/film/the-theory-of-everything (France), https://www.justwatch.com/de/Film/die-theorie-von-allem (Germany), https://www.justwatch.com/ca/movie/the-theory-of-everything-2023 (Canada)