Terry Gilliam’s latest film, The Zero Theorem, is officially coming to the States. With that news comes a trailer, and that trailer is… well, it’s pretty bonkers.

Rather than attempt to describe the contents of the trailer (via Apple), I’ll simply urge you to watch it. I’m not quite sure what to expect from the film. The reviews have been mixed, but Gilliam looks to present another singular viewing experience, at the very least. Also, Tilda Swinton looks to be adding to her list of outstandingly outlandish 2014 film characters (see also: The Grand Budapest Hotel, Snowpiercer). My biggest question is how John Malkovich didn’t get this part. Christoph Waltz is a fantastic actor, but I thought Malkovich was the go-to for asocial, semi-crazed bald characters. Adopting a heavy accent wouldn’t be beyond him.

One thing seems certain, especially after reading the synopsis below: as big as this film may get with theories of the universe, it is a tale of all the things, all the emotions, contained within a single, small being. For such a big trailer, the endgame seems ever so intimate.

The Zero Theorem will be available digitally and on VOD August 19, with a theatrical release set for September 19.

The synopsis:

Acclaimed director Terry Gilliam (Brazil, 12 Monkeys, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas) returns with the visually stunning sci-fi epic The Zero Theorem, starring Academy Award winner Christoph Waltz as Qohen, an eccentric and reclusive computer genius. Living in isolation, Qohen is obsessively working on a mysterious project personally delegated to him by Management (Matt Damon) aimed at discovering the meaning of life – or the complete lack of one—once and for all. Increasingly disturbed by visits from people he doesn’t fully trust, including the flirtatious Bainsley (Mélanie Thierry), his unpredictable supervisor Job (David Thewlis), and would-be digital therapist Dr. Shrink-Rom (Tilda Swinton), it’s only when he experiences the power of love and desire that he’s able to understand his own reason for being.

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Tyler Hanan

Tyler raves about movies on the Let The Right Films In podcast. Listen to him make jokes over his beleaguered cohost Kayla St. Onge and their more qualified guests who deserve so much better at soundcloud.com/ltrfipod. Find him on Twitter @tylerhanan.

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