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The Universal Theory (2023)

2023 • 1h 58m • Drama, Thriller
On September 25, 2026
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CinemaSerf on The Universal Theory

6/10 · Dec 17, 2024

The film centers on “Johannes,” an aspiring physicist portrayed by Jan Bülow, who is traveling with his tutor, “Strathen” (Hanns Zischler), to a conference in Switzerland. He’s aware that his unconventional ideas have put him at odds with a professor who wants him to adhere to more conventional theories. The atmosphere between them is noticeably strained when they encounter "Blumberg" (Gottfried Breitfuss) on the train, a man with a complicated and unfriendly history with “Strathen.” Despite this, they continue their journey, with the young physicist assured of any assistance he might need for his dissertation. Upon reaching their destination, “Johannes” finds shelter from one of the frequent mountain storms in a church, as does "Karin" (Olivia Ross) shortly afterward. He’s instantly drawn to her, but she leaves quickly without exchanging names. Fortunately, she plays piano at the hotel's jazz bar, offering him a potential opportunity for an encounter. Around this time, he begins to feel strangely unwell, experiencing a recurring sense of déjà vu and feeling as though he has met her before somewhere. Her demeanor shifts unexpectedly between distant and overly familiar, which confuses him. His perception of time also seems distorted, and when the affable "Blumberg" is involved in a tragic event, his confusion intensifies. What’s happening? It's almost as if the mountain itself holds hidden secrets. Could it be attributed to too much wine, or is there something more sinister at play? As someone grounded in reason and science, he’s poorly equipped to deal with spiritual or superstitious matters. So, when police arrive asking about the mysterious "Karin," how can he possibly interpret what's occurring? There are some genuinely intriguing elements woven into the narrative as it attempts to blend reality with unexplained occurrences. The snowy landscapes, the reserved portrayal of “Strathen,” and the black-and-white presentation all contribute to a chilling atmosphere, creating a feeling that something is missing – though we don’t know what, and may never find out. However, Bülow's performance feels somewhat lacking, and the narrative jumps around so much that it prevents viewers from truly engaging with the story. While it’s certainly unusual, unpredictable, and demands active thought, I didn’t feel like I had enough solid points to ascend the mountain without constantly sliding back to the beginning. It is visually appealing and suggests that science doesn't have all the answers, but ultimately, I felt as disoriented as “Johannes” himself did.

Source on TMDB