auteur theory

American  

noun

1. (in film criticism) a theory that the director is the chief creator of a film and gives it an individual style that is evident in all aspects of the finished product.

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Etymology

Origin of auteur theory

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

Any movie lover with half a mind knows that the auteur theory is bunk.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

“You could call it the auteur theory of photography,” Mr. Danziger said.

From New York Times • Feb. 14, 2023

The late film critic Andrew Sarris introduced the auteur theory to much of the world in the 1960s, adapting an idea from French New Wave cinema.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 10, 2022

Mangold is rarely an exciting director, but he’s matured into an accomplished journeyman, like the Hollywood directors who were revered before the auteur theory shifted the criteria.

From Slate • Nov. 15, 2019

Or it’s solid evidence that the now disproved in academia but still mistakenly believed by others auteur theory still holds sway.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 25, 2019