Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that, like many of director Terry Gilliam's other films, The Zero Theorem is complex, dark, smart, and quite dazzling. It plays with many ideas and isn't easy to pin down or label; as such, it's likely to inspire strong opinions on both sides. There's some strong language, much spoken by a teen, including "f--k" and "s--t." Other content includes nudity, mostly female toplessness, as main characters enter a website to kiss and have virtual sex. (The female character doesn't want to be touched in real life.) There's a brief scene of violence as the character rampages and tries to destroy a computer and a brief scene of drinking at a party. This will be something that film buffs will want to check out, but it's best for older teens and up.
Sexual
Content
A woman flirts with the main character at a party. She wears a tight "sexy nurse" outfit with cleavage shown; there's also a close-up of her behind. She explains that she wants to have sex but never lets anything inside her. So instead they meet on a website where they virtually kiss. Images of naked women are shown on the website, and the main female character appears topless. The main character also appears naked; his bottom is seen.
Violence
The character goes on a brief rampage, trying to wreck a computer, throwing things, pulling cables out, and trying to smash things. There's an explosion. Some tense, confrontational conversations.
Language
One supporting character, a teen, uses quite a bit of strong language, including several uses of "f--k," "s--t," and "ass." "Bitch" is also used.
Social
Behavior
The main character learns that interaction with humans can be beneficial and that making his own choices, rather than waiting for something to happen, is preferable. There are other themes mixed up in the complex narrative, including the idea suggested by the title -- that hopefully everything does not equal nothing. Individual viewers will likely take away other conclusions and different ideas.
Consumerism
Not applicable
Drugs / Tobacco /
Alcohol
Adult characters drink cocktails at a party.
