Teorema

Teorema
Theatrical release poster
Directed byPier Paolo Pasolini
Written byPier Paolo Pasolini
Produced by
  • Franco Rossellini
  • Manolo Bolognini
Starring
CinematographyGiuseppe Ruzzolini
Edited byNino Baragli
Music byEnnio Morricone
Production
company
Aetos Film
Distributed byEuro International Film
Release dates
  • 4 September 1968 (1968-09-04) (Venice)
  • 7 September 1968 (1968-09-07) (Italy)
Running time
98 minutes
CountryItaly
LanguageItalian

Teorema, known as Theorem in the United Kingdom, is a 1968 Italian surrealist psychological drama film written and directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini and starring Silvana Mangano, Terence Stamp and Massimo Girotti, with Anne Wiazemsky, Laura Betti, Andrés José Cruz Soublette, Alfonso Gatto and Carlo De Mejo. Pasolini's sixth film, it was the first time he worked primarily with professional actors. In this film, an upper-class Milanese family is introduced to, and then abandoned by, an otherworldly man with a mysterious divine force. Themes include the timelessness of divinity and the spiritual corruption of the bourgeoisie.

Teorema has been sometimes incorrectly cited as the source for the 1986 American comedy film Down and Out in Beverly Hills; though there are similar themes, the latter is inspired by a much older stage play from around 1932. It has also inspired Bruce LaBruce's 2024 film The Visitor.