A cosmic test of humanity ends with a dog holding the power of creation

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In the 2015 comedy Absolutely Anything, an alien council grants a random human the power to do anything for ten days. If he uses it for evil, Earth is destroyed. The chosen teacher, Neil Clarke, quickly finds that absolute power is a chaotic, messy, and surprisingly dangerous burden to carry.

Directed by Terry Jones and co-written with Gavin Scott, Absolutely Anything was a long-gestating project that spent twenty years in development before reaching production in 2014. The film holds a unique place in cinema history as the final collaboration of the living Monty Python members, featuring voice work from John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Michael Palin, and Jones himself. It also marked the final main cast appearance for Robin Williams, who passed away in 2014, a year before the film's UK release.

The plot follows Neil Clarke, a London teacher who is unwittingly selected by an alien galactic council to determine the fate of Earth. The aliens, who view dominance as a virtue and altruism as a weakness, test Neil by granting him the ability to manipulate reality through simple hand gestures. Neil’s initial attempts to improve his personal life and solve global issues—such as ending wars and reversing climate change—backfire spectacularly, leading to unintended consequences like global obesity and a new ice age.

The film’s tone and execution were heavily criticized by reviewers, with many noting a disconnect between the high-caliber cast and the final product. Despite the involvement of comedy legends and a premise inspired by H. G. Wells, the film struggled to find a positive reception. Critics pointed to a dismal script and lackluster production values, with the film ultimately grossing $6.3 million worldwide. The story concludes with Neil’s dog, Dennis, inheriting the power and saving the planet by destroying the aliens' weapon, leaving the audience with the revelation that the dog remains the true master of reality.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• Why Monty Python’s final film turned the search for existence into a chaotic sketch show.
• How a 1971 British comedy film was engineered specifically for an American audience
• How a rejected comedy script became the world's most expensive cinema ticket
• A 1951 disaster film predicted the end of Earth and inspired decades of pop culture.
• A dying writer's final script became a cult classic through illegal file sharing.
• A 1951 film predicted our modern obsession with turning human tragedy into media spectacle.
• A husband returns after seven years, but he is not alone
• A French action comedy where a boxer accidentally crashes into Hitler's private residence.
• Can a journalist destroy a life while acting with no actual malice?
• A wartime spy thriller forced to rewrite its climax after the Pearl Harbor attack.
• How a martial arts instructor's screen test launched a 1988 action film phenomenon
• A Beatles-inspired musical that flopped at the box office but charmed its legendary subjects.

More in Films · More in Entertainment · Latest · A–Z · All topics