Zeros and Ones (2021)
Abel Ferrara's nocturnal Rome thriller sends Ethan Hawke on a desperate race to stop a Vatican bombing while searching for his imprisoned twin.
Zeros and Ones - Movie Information
- Original Title: Zeros and Ones
- Release Year: 2021
- Directed by: Abel Ferrara
- Type: Movie
- Genres: War, Thriller
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 25m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English, French, Italian, Russian
- Release Date (Theatrical): November 18, 2021 (Denmark - 15), November 19, 2021 (United States - R), December 10, 2021 (Spain - 16), August 10, 2022 (South Korea - 15)
- Alternative Titles: Zeros e Uns - Zeros and Ones (BR)
- Production Companies: Maze Pictures, Blue Box International, Hammerstone Studios, Almost Never Films, Rimsky Productions
- Production Countries: Germany, United Kingdom, United States of America
Zeros and Ones - Plot
Called to Rome to stop an imminent terrorist bombing, a soldier desperately seeks news of his imprisoned brother — a rebel with knowledge that could thwart the attack. Navigating the capital's darkened streets, he races to a series of ominous encounters to keep the Vatican from being blown to bits.
Zeros and Ones - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see Rome's shadowy streets come alive:
It's always deadliest before the dawn.
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Zeros and Ones - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Abel Ferrara
Main Cast
- Ethan Hawke
- Cristina Chiriac
- Phil Neilson
- Valerio Mastandrea
- Valeria Correale
- Dounia Sichov
- Babak Karimi
- Korlan Rachmetova
- Stephen Gurewitz
- Mahmut Sifa Erkaya
Writers
- Abel Ferrara
Producers
- Diana Phillips
- Philipp Kreuzer
Zeros and Ones - FAQs
What is Zeros and Ones about?
Zeros and Ones follows a soldier sent to Rome to prevent a terrorist attack on the Vatican. While navigating the city's shadowy underworld, he desperately tries to reach his imprisoned brother — a rebel who holds crucial intelligence. It's a fragmented, atmospheric thriller steeped in paranoia and nocturnal dread.
Does Ethan Hawke play twins in Zeros and Ones?
Yes — Ethan Hawke pulls double duty, playing both JJ, the soldier on the mission, and Justin, his imprisoned rebel brother. The dual role is central to the film's identity, blurring the line between the two men and adding a haunting, mirror-image quality to the story.
Where can you stream Zeros and Ones?
You can catch Zeros and Ones on MovieSphere+ via Amazon Channel, or rent and buy it on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It's also available with ads on VIX, so there are plenty of ways to watch.
Was Zeros and Ones filmed during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Yes, Abel Ferrara shot Zeros and Ones in Rome during the pandemic, and the film wears that context openly. The eerily deserted streets, masked figures, and atmosphere of surveillance and isolation all reflect the real-world conditions under which it was made, giving it an unmistakable documentary-like tension.
Who directed Zeros and Ones?
Abel Ferrara directed and wrote Zeros and Ones. The cult filmmaker behind Bad Lieutenant and King of New York brings his signature raw, improvisational style to this Rome-set thriller. Ferrara has lived in Rome for years, and his intimate knowledge of the city shapes every frame of the film.
Is Zeros and Ones worth watching?
It depends on your taste. Zeros and Ones is a deliberately fragmented, mood-driven film — not a conventional thriller. Critics praised its hypnotic atmosphere and Hawke's committed dual performance, but its elliptical narrative divides audiences. If you enjoy challenging, auteur-driven cinema, it's a genuinely compelling watch.
What is the age rating for Zeros and Ones?
Zeros and Ones is rated R in the United States. The rating reflects the film's mature themes, including terrorism, violence, and morally complex situations. It's firmly adult viewing, consistent with Abel Ferrara's body of work, which rarely shies away from dark or unsettling subject matter.
Where was Zeros and Ones filmed?
The film was shot entirely on location in Rome, Italy. Ferrara, a longtime Rome resident, uses the city as far more than a backdrop — its ancient streets, churches, and piazzas become a labyrinthine stage for the story's paranoid atmosphere. The Vatican looms over the entire film as both setting and symbol.
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