The Exterminating Angel Movie Review

One of Buñuel's most accessible films, The Exterminating Angel tells a surreal tale that sneaks up on you: A dinner party for some crusty types (the kind who often appear in Buñuel films) is thrown, with only some minor hitches. But afterwards, no one leaves. Turns out they can't. Some unexplained force is keeping them from being able to muster the will to go. It's not like a forcefield that they bang on to get out. They just can't go through the threshold to the other room. Days go by. The situation gets so desperate that several people die, a hole is cut in the wall for water, and the devil is summoned. The police stand watch outside, similarly unable to enter. Guessing what will happen next is only half the fun. Guessing why this all began is the other half. Of course, in typical fashion, Buñuel offers no explanation, but the way your head spins around this simple premise makes each scene more fun than the last.

Aka El Ángel exterminador.