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The Exterminating Angel

Play trailer Poster for The Exterminating Angel 1963 1h 32m Comedy Drama Fantasy Play Trailer Watchlist
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94% Tomatometer 34 Reviews 92% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Edmundo Nobile invites friends over for an opulent dinner party. While the guests enjoy their food, the servants disappear one by one. Afterward, the visitors retire to the salon for an evening of music and conversation -- but in the morning, they are mysteriously incapable of leaving the room. As days go by, and they run out of food and water, panic and madness set in. The army and the police arrive, but fail in their attempts to enter the house as conditions inside deteriorate.
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The Exterminating Angel

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Critics Consensus

Societal etiquette devolves into depravity in Luis Buñuel's existential comedy, effectively playing the absurdity of civilization for mordant laughs.

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Critics Reviews

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Wael Khairy RogerEbert.com Sep 28, 2022
Almost 60 years after it was originally released, his film “The Exterminating Angel” has never been more relevant. Go to Full Review Ed Gonzalez Slant Magazine Sep 7, 2003
4/4
If not necessarily Buuel's greatest film, this unclassifiable creation must count as one of the most twisted stunts ever mounted for the screen. Go to Full Review Bosley Crowther New York Times May 20, 2003
2/5
My feeling is that his canvas is too narrow and his social comment too plain to keep our interest fixed upon his people and their barren stewing for an hour and a half. Go to Full Review Eddie Harrison film-authority.com Dec 30, 2024
4/5
…investigates a shared reality tilting towards communal atrophy; it’s a haunting, visionary work by one of the 20th century’s consummate film-makers.. Go to Full Review Penelope Gilliatt Observer (UK) Mar 9, 2024
Like all metaphors, The Exterminating Angel is not meant to be extended and explained: it is about panic and suggestibility, about the unconscious, about the reassurance that people feel in the traps of class and superstition. Go to Full Review Yasser Medina Cinefilia Oct 9, 2023
7/10
A film in which Buñuel, with a surrealist aesthetic, magnifies a sharp satire on social classes and the chiaroscuros of the human condition. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Mix R @Foxxxy Mar 25, 2026 It was nice, though I think it would be even better if Buñuel was allowed to make it darker and more violent. But otherwise a very good "eat the rich" film. See more Tom M @RT77934561 Nov 5, 2025 It's the idea behind this that matters. Not as funny as it should be considering its ridiculous premise. But the cast play it for real and the allegory works. See more Eye C @ECinc Sep 14, 2025 Un interesante pero bizarro experimento social que prende al espectador más por enterarse de qué está pasando que por otra cosa. Las actuaciones van de lo regular a algunas buenas, pero no es lo que sobresale. See more g j @g.username Mar 9, 2024 An absolute masterpiece. Feels 40 years ahead of its time with a premise that remains chillingly unique and original to this day. See more S R @ScottR Jan 31, 2024 1001 movies to see before you die. An impressive allegory, full of themes and frustrations of being stuck somewhere. I enjoyed it despite there being no real reason behind things. RUS. See more Alec B @Alec97 Nov 10, 2023 I love that Buñuel takes these characters seriously while placing them in the most absurd of scenarios. This kind of consideration makes the satire more potent and I bet this movie still makes rich people angry. See more Read all reviews
The Exterminating Angel

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Cast & Crew

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Luis Buñuel

Director

Silvia Pinal

Leticia "La Valkiria"

Jacqueline Andere

Alicia de Roc

José Baviera

Susan Barrett

Enrique Rambal

Edmundo Nobile

Augusto Benedico

Carlos Conde

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The Exterminating Angel

The Exterminating Angel (1962) The Exterminating Angel (1962) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Edmundo Nobile invites friends over for an opulent dinner party. While the guests enjoy their food, the servants disappear one by one. Afterward, the visitors retire to the salon for an evening of music and conversation -- but in the morning, they are mysteriously incapable of leaving the room. As days go by, and they run out of food and water, panic and madness set in. The army and the police arrive, but fail in their attempts to enter the house as conditions inside deteriorate.
Director
Luis Buñuel
Producer
Gustavo Alatriste
Screenwriter
Luis Alcoriza, Luis Buñuel
Distributor
Reel Media International [us], Facets, Hen's Tooth Video Inc. [us]
Production Co
Producciones Gustavo Alatriste
Genre
Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
Original Language
Spanish
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 15, 1963, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 17, 2017
Runtime
1h 32m
Sound Mix
Mono
Aspect Ratio
35mm
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