The Exterminating Angel

The Exterminating Angel
Original film poster
SpanishEl ángel exterminador
Directed byLuis Buñuel
Screenplay byLuis Buñuel
Story byLuis Alcoriza
Luis Buñuel
Produced byGustavo Alatriste
Starring
CinematographyGabriel Figueroa
Edited byCarlos Savage Jr.
Music byRaúl Lavista
Production
companies
Producciones Gustavo Alatriste
Estudios Churubusco
Distributed byAltura
Release dates
  • 16 May 1962 (1962-05-16) (Cannes)
  • 1 October 1964 (1964-10-01) (Mexico)
Running time
93 minutes
CountryMexico
LanguageSpanish

The Exterminating Angel (Spanish: El ángel exterminador) is a 1962 Mexican surrealist black comedy film written and directed by Luis Buñuel. Starring Silvia Pinal and produced by Pinal's then-husband Gustavo Alatriste, the film tells the story of a group of wealthy guests who find themselves unable to leave after a lavish dinner party, and the chaos that ensues. Sharply satirical and allegorical, it contains a depiction of the aristocracy that suggests they "harbor savage instincts and unspeakable secrets".

In 2004, The New York Times included the film in a list of "The Best 1,000 Movies Ever Made". The film was adapted into an opera of the same name in 2016.