The Theory of Everything (2014) | Rotten Tomatoes (2025)

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268 Reviews

84%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

In the 1960s, Cambridge University student and future physicist Stephen Hawking (Eddie Redmayne) falls in love with fellow collegian Jane Wilde (Felicity Jones). At 21, Hawking learns that he has motor neuron disease. Despite this -- and with Jane at his side -- he begins an ambitious study of time, of which he has very little left, according to his doctor. He and Jane defy terrible odds and break new ground in the fields of medicine and science, achieving more than either could hope to imagine.

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The Theory of Everything

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Critics Consensus

Part biopic, part love story, The Theory of Everything rises on James Marsh's polished direction and the strength of its two leads.

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Critics Reviews

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The Theory of Everything (2014) | Rotten Tomatoes (1)

Jason Bailey

Flavorwire

It's all slavishly conformed into a woefully predictable formula, as inflexible as the Meet Cute Rom-Com or the Superhero Epic, every scene less about capturing a moment from a life than about completing a checklist.

Jun 7, 2016

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The Theory of Everything (2014) | Rotten Tomatoes (2)

Bilge Ebiri

Nashville Scene

The Theory of Everything may not tear a rip in the cinematic space-time continuum, but as an intimate drama about two people struggling with a life they never expected, it has real power.

Dec 7, 2015

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The Theory of Everything (2014) | Rotten Tomatoes (3)

Sandra Hall

Sydney Morning Herald

Watching him [Eddie Redmayne] slumped in an electric wheelchair, simulating the effects of Hawking's motor neurone disease, it's easy to forget you're looking at an actor.

Rated: 4.5/5

Jan 28, 2015

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The Theory of Everything (2014) | Rotten Tomatoes (4)

Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

While very well-intentioned to focus on the man over the persona, it feels skewed and short on glitz representative of someone larger-than-life such as Stephen Hawking.

Rated: 3/5

Sep 4, 2023

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The Theory of Everything (2014) | Rotten Tomatoes (5)

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

There is still a good story to be found in “The Theory of Everything” despite its standard biopic flavor and rushed ending.

Rated: 3.5/5

Aug 25, 2022

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The Theory of Everything (2014) | Rotten Tomatoes (6)

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Redmayne's physical performance astounds, and Jones makes a wonderfully empathetic female lead. If only their performances were part of a better treatment of this worthy subject.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jul 16, 2022

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Audience Reviews

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Tyler S This was excellent. The story was moving, tragic, and exceptional when talking about the life of Stephen Hawking. The performance by Eddie Redmayne was phenomenal and really captured the idea of the famous physicist. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/22/24 Full Review HoN L Hi everyone. I hope you guys are fine!! im so depressed lol. I wanted to say that even if stepen hawking is a pword, this movie is so sweet. But actually i wanted to rate a movie called LA TEORIA UNIVERSAL which i watched at cinemateca (montevideo uruguay old city neighbour) with a person that i really like!!!!!!!!!!!1 i hope everyone is doing amazing like me Rated 3/5 Stars • Rated 3 out of 5 stars 04/27/24 Full Review Horror fan 4 The performances were outstanding especially by Eddie playing Hawking. A brilliant man and movie Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/19/24 Full Review Ava S woe that was-I mean-wow that was- Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/13/24 Full Review S R 1001 movies to see before you die (1179. The Theory of Everything (2014) - Added 2015; Removed 2016). Another lost Flixster rating!!! Grrr. Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 12/14/23 Full Review Alec B Hawking's personal life is the least interesting thing about the man and yet it's the central focus of the film. Even more disappointing is that the rougher edges of his life have been smoothed out to keep the proceedings from becoming too complicated (the collapse of his first marriage is strangely easy going, and the problems in the second are ignored). Basically it's your typically bland biopic. Rated 1.5/5 Stars • Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 12/13/23 Full Review Read all reviews

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Cast & Crew

James Marsh Director Eddie Redmayne Stephen Hawking Felicity Jones Jane Emily Watson Jane's Mother David Thewlis Dennis Sciama Charlie Cox Jonathan Hellyer Jones

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The Theory of Everything

The Theory of Everything: Official Clip - Look What We Made