Dir: Timm Kröger. With: Jan Bülow, Olivia Ross. Germany, Austria 2023. 118 mins. German with English subtitles.
The Swiss Alps in 1962. Doctoral student Johannes heads to a prestigious conference of Europe’s leading quantum physicists. But the keynote speaker doesn’t show, another scientist is murdered, bizarre cloud formations appear and avalanches reveal tunnels buried in the mountains. Meanwhile, Johannes is falling for the hotel’s enigmatic jazz pianist (Olivia Ross) who seems to know things about him that he has never told anyone.
Combining noir intrigue with the supernatural and uncanny scientific mysteries beyond the ordinary laws of time and space, The Universal Theory is a richly atmospheric and stylish thriller with nods to Hitchcock. Beautifully filmed in crisp, high-contrast black-and-white, this widescreen spectacle is also a real visual treat.
‘Superbly crafted … delivers pastiche so meticulous it becomes its own source of supremely cinematic pleasure.’ Jessica Kiang, Variety
