By Robert Scucci | Published 1 hour ago Are you the type to think that life is meaningless and that humanity is an accidental byproduct of the Big Bang that serves no real purpose aside from decay, entropy, and eventual expiration? Or are you a person of faith who refuses to believe that the infinitely complex world you live in is simply a waiting room for the sweet release of death? This is the dilemma that Christoph Waltz’s Qohen Leth faces in 2013’s The Zero Theorem, a dark, surreal, existential sci-fi flick directed by none other than Monty Python’s Terry Gilliam. A picture-perfect Orwellian hellscape, but more brightly colored, The Zero Theorem asks all of the important questions about life, faith, and the universe so you don’t have to. Here, you can sit back and watch Qohen attempt to crunch entities that “refuse to remain crunched” as he tries to solve an equation that will undermine his very existence on a mental, physical, and spiritual level. It’s All In The Numbers The Zero Theorem centers on an immensely talented yet world-weary programmer named Qohen, who wants nothing more than to work from home instead of at the giant research facility where he’s forced to crunch numbers and exchange fake pleasantries with coworkers. After speaking with Management ( Matt Damon ), Qohen finally gets the setup he’s been begging for and no longer has to leave his house, a sprawling and fire-damaged church he purchased years prior for pennies on the dollar. The main reason Qohen wants to stay home isn’t driven by agoraphobia, but by his belief that he’s waiting for an important phone call that will reveal the meaning of life. Management, recognizing Qohen’s skill and work ethic, allows him to work from home on a special assignment known as the Zero Theorem, under the condition that he regularly meets with a virtual therapist called Dr. Shrink-Rom ( Tilda Swinton ). She offers him perspective and positive reinforcement as he tries to crack a complex code that has eluded Management for years. As he grows increasingly unstable through his research, Qohen is visited by Bainsley (Mélanie Thierry), a seductive companion sent to be a healthy distraction from his soul-crushing job and to keep him on the brink of sanity just long enough to crack the code. Management’s son, Bob (Lucas Hedges), joins the mix to troubleshoot technical issues, usually after Qohen destroys his computer in frustration, and offers a more measured perspective on the project that’s consuming him. Getting lost in the numbers, the existential dread of his work, and the virtual reality romance that develops with Bainsley, Qohen finds himself pulled in too many directions as he tries to crack the Zero Theorem, losing himself in the process. A Dark Premise That’s Never Not Colorful The Zero Theorem stands out for its cinematography, which operates on two fronts: an Orwellian dystopia filled with political and existential dread, and a virtual reality world that mirrors the dreamlike visuals of 1998’s What Dreams May Come. It’s hopeless but oddly optimistic thanks to Qohen’s unwavering commitment to his work in search of meaning. Though it quickly becomes clear that his life’s purpose might be nothing more than to toil and suffer until he finally burns out from exhaustion and lack of fulfillment, Qohen stays committed to the task, even as it threatens his sanity. Treading the line between the real world’s horrors and the idealized life he’s desperately searching for, The Zero Theorem becomes a black hole of metaphysical confusion that risks swallowing you whole. Related: Streaming The Zero Theorem GFR SCORE The bright, saturated colors that occasionally cut through the bleakness and keep you grasping for something tangible; something that gives you a reason to keep watching despite the toll it takes on your own sense of purpose. Claustrophobic and tragic until the world finally opens up, The Zero Theorem leaves you with your jaw on the floor as you get lost in the numbers, the romance, and the shared pursuit of all involved: finding the meaning of life. If you’re in search of answers but want a stylish, unforgettable way to get there, you can stream The Zero Theorem for free on Tubi as of this writing. Source: https://www.giantfreakinrobot.com/ent/the-zero-theorem-review-tubi.html