The Zero Theorem

Part of the special series THE MAGIC OF TERRY GILLIAM.

In the cyberpunk future of the mid-21st century, reclusive computer genius Qohen Leth (Christoph Waltz) is tasked with cracking a complex mathematical formula that will reveal whether life has meaning. But then his controlled world is disrupted by the seductive Bainsley (Mélanie Thierry) and the turbulent Bob (Lucas Hedges).

In THE ZERO THEOREM, Terry Gilliam relies entirely on his leading man: the director reportedly insisted that Christoph Waltz, as the confused-genius nerd, not only go bald, but also shave off his eyebrows to distinguish himself - not only visually - from his previous Oscar-winning roles as a Tarantino villain. Despite the casting coup, the dystopian science fiction film was only moderately well received by critics - Gilliam expressed disappointment that few critics interpreted the film as a tragedy, not a comedy.