Director Ruben Östlund‘s follow-up to 2014’s “avalanche comedy” FORCE MAJEURE, THE SQUARE, rivals its predecessor in its ambitious, challenging and utterly absurdist employ of dark humour as biting social commentary. Despite dividing critics and audiences at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, it still went on win the coveted Palme d’Or prize from an enthusiastic jury and is now also nominated for an Academy Award (Best Foreign Language Film).

Ostensibly a collection of vignettes, the film follows Christian, the respected curator of a contemporary art museum; he is a divorced but devoted father of two who drives an electric car and supports good causes. His next show is “The Square”, an installation which invites passersby to altruism, reminding them of their role as responsible fellow human beings. But sometimes, it is difficult to live up to your own ideals: Christian’s foolish response to the theft of his phone drags him into shameful situations. Meanwhile, the museum’s PR agency has created an unexpected campaign for “The Square”. The response is overblown and sends Christian, as well as the museum, into an existential crisis. With Claes Bang, Elisabeth Moss, Dominic West and Terry Notary.

“When it hits, this slapstick tragedy will knock the wind out of you.” (Rolling Stone)

“THE SQUARE is darkly amusing, but it’s also bracingly honest in its absurdity, and that’s what kept me coming back to each one of its wonderfully knotty scenarios even months after seeing it. (The Atlantic)

[Director] Ruben Östlund’s eye for the subtleties of human behavior, especially public behavior, never fails. (Vulture)

Saturday, March 10
Doors 1:30 pm  | Movie 2:00 pm

Advance tickets $10 HERE | $12 at the door

*Minors permitted in the balcony! Must be 19+ w/ID for bar service and main floor seating.
**Rio Theatre Groupons and passes OK! Please redeem at the door.

THE SQUARE (Ruben Östlund, 2017 / 142 mins / 14A) Disaster strikes when a curator hires a public relations team to build some buzz for his renowned Swedish museum. THE SQUARE is a poignant satirical drama reflecting our times – about our sense of community, moral courage and the affluent person’s need for egocentricity in an increasingly uncertain world.