“THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI illustrates something more eternal: about great manipulators, and the underlying anxiety that either society has gone mad, or we have.” - Noel Murray, The Dissolve
“A one-of-a-kind masterpiece.” - Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
Thursday, July 17, 6:00 p.m. & Sunday, July 27, 1:00 p.m. | A pioneering work of German Expressionist cinema, THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI is also credited as the first film with a twist ending. Through flashbacks, the film’s protagonist Franzis recounts his experiences with Dr. Caligari, a carnival showman who controls the somnambulist Cesar, and directs him to kill. As the story unfolds, Franzis’ relationship with Dr. Caligari becomes clear, culminating in a reveal that has been dropping jaws for over 100 years. The slippery narrative is matched by surreal visuals, replete with twisted buildings and distorted angles that bring this classic to nightmarish life. This authoritative edition presents the F. W. Murnau Stiftung’s meticulous 4K restoration of the film, with an orchestral score by Emmy-winning composer Jeff Beal.
Spoiler Alert | July 4–29, 2025
Zip your lips, hold your tongues, and keep it to yourself: you are entering a spoiler-free zone! The eight films of Spoiler Alert include twists, turns, and jaw-dropping conclusions, and the secrecy makes their reveals all the more satisfying. Some of you might try to guess the endings (beware of red herrings, false leads, and smokescreens!); others will relish the uncertainty. Either way, there’s nothing quite like the moment when everyone in the movie theater experiences the “aha!” together. No spoiler here; it’s the best.
The Film Center is ADA accessible. This presentation will be projected without open captions. The theater is hearing-loop equipped. For accessibility requests, please email filmcenter@saic.edu