Derek Jarman’s Caravaggio (1986) is a ravishing and daring biopic of the Renaissance artist, marking the stunning film debut of Tilda Swinton. From his deathbed, Caravaggio (Nigel Terry) recalls a life among lovers, criminals, and models, centered on a turbulent triangle with Ranuccio (Sean Bean) and Lena (Swinton). Through chiaroscuro and stylized tableaux vivants, Jarman reimagines the painter’s work while probing the homoerotic undercurrents of his art. Anachronisms such as a calculator and a motorcycle disrupt convention, highlighting Jarman’s playful defiance of the traditional biopic. Imaginative yet accessible, Caravaggio remains one of his most beautiful and influential achievements.