🎬 The Premise
Released in 2017, The Metropolitan Opera: The Exterminating Angel enters the Fantasy genre with a narrative focused on
After the acclaimed Met premiere of Thomas Adès's "The Tempest" in 2012, the composer returned with another masterpiece, this time inspired by filmmaker Luis Buñuel's seminal surrealist classic "El Ángel Exterminador", during the 2017–18 season.
Under the direction of Tom Cairns, the film attempts to weave detailed character arcs with visual storytelling.
🎭 Cast & Performance
The film is anchored by performances from Joseph Kaiser.
The chemistry between the leads drives the emotional core of the movie, making the stakes feel genuine.
🎥 Technical Mastery & Style
From a technical standpoint, The Metropolitan Opera: The Exterminating Angel offers a
visually stunning presentation. The cinematography
uses a distinct visual palette that aligns well with the tone.
While the 4K mastering highlights the production value, the pacing during its 142-minute runtime can feel deliberate.
🌍 Social Impact & Cultural Context
Beyond the narrative, The Metropolitan Opera: The Exterminating Angel resonates with current
cultural themes in the Fantasy space.
It effectively mirrors local sentiment while maintaining a global appeal, a rare feat in recent releases.
📺 Where to Watch & Streaming Info
As of early 2026, The Metropolitan Opera: The Exterminating Angel is available in theaters worldwide.
For audiences in the US, UK, and India, digital rentals are typically available on platforms like Apple TV roughly 45-60 days after the theatrical release.
📖 Narrative Arc & Plot Breakdown
The plot of The Metropolitan Opera: The Exterminating Angel centers on a unique premise within the Fantasy landscape.
After the acclaimed Met premiere of Thomas Adès's "The Tempest" in 2012, the composer returned with another masterpiece, this time inspired by filmmaker Luis Buñuel's seminal surrealist classic "El Ángel Exterminador", during the 2017–18 season. As the opera opens, a group of elegant socialites gather for a lavish dinner party, but when it is time to leave for the night, no one is able to escape. Soon, their behavior becomes increasingly erratic and savage. The large ensemble cast tackles both the vocal and dramatic demands of Adès's opera with one riveting performance after another. Tom Cairns, who also penned the work's libretto, directs an engrossing and inventive production, using a towering wooden archway to trap the characters onstage. And Adès himself takes the podium to conduct the frenzied score, which features a host of unconventional instruments, including the eerie electronic ondes Martenot.
The second act serves as a major turning point, leading to a climax that fans of 2017 cinema will find satisfying and robust.
💡 Ending Explained & Sequel Potential
The ending of The Metropolitan Opera: The Exterminating Angel has sparked significant debate on social media. It signifies the
triumph of the protagonist over internal conflicts.
Given the current box office momentum, discussions of a The Metropolitan Opera: The Exterminating Angel sequel or a wider cinematic universe are already gaining traction.
📝 Final Editorial Verdict
Final verdict for The Metropolitan Opera: The Exterminating Angel (2017): with an audience rating of 7.7/10, the reception has been generally positive.
It is a must-watch for fans of Fantasy, Music cinema who appreciate attention to detail.