Darren Aronofsky Films 7. Noah (2014)

Making of Methuselah | Noah

Aronofsky needed to take a lot of creative liberty when adapting the biblical story of Noah. The Bible story only spans four chapters, and his wife is never given a name. Perhaps it’s, for this reason, the film feels so at war with itself. It wants to be a personal family drama while also aspiring to be a biblical epic. It wants to combine elements of realism with symbolism. The movie is a contradiction, and while it has its moments, it feels like a film Aronofsky should have skipped.

65% Acting 50% Story 70% Filmmaking 45% Style 58% OVERALL SCORE The Good Strong VFX

Allegories

Good Performances The Bad Lack of Thematic Unity

Lack of Subtlety

The Battle Scenes Best Darren Aronofsky Movies Conclusion It’s clear Aronofsky has interesting things to say with Noah. However, the movie’s ultimately a balancing act he just can’t quite nail. Watch It Now

Darren Aronofsky’s Films 6. Pi (1998)

Behind the Scenes | Pi

Pi is Aronofsky’s debut feature, and it’s noteworthy for showcasing the kind of filmmaker he would become. The film deals heavily with themes regarding religion, which would pop up again in his filmography. There is also a heavy suggestion the protagonist is a paranoid schizophrenic. It makes for a great calling card and is a great film for aspiring filmmakers to watch. It shows how you can be true to yourself and launch the kind of film career you want on your terms.

60% Acting 75% Story 80% Filmmaking 70% Style 71% OVERALL SCORE The Good The Score

Strong Themes

Innovative Sound Editing The Bad Choppy Editing

A Bit Repetitive

Shaky Camera Best Darren Aronofsky Movies Conclusion ​Pi may not be the best of Darren Aronofsky’s films, but it’s a great debut feature. Critics and audiences immediately knew what kind of stories he would want to tell, and that’s an accomplishment in and of itself. Watch It Now

Darren Aronofsky Movies List 5. The Fountain (2006)

Movies With Mikey | The Fountain

The genesis of The Fountain was to make a science fiction film that went beyond technology. Instead, he wanted to make a film that searched for the meaning of life and what God truly meant. Unfortunately, a slashed budget left this beautifully-shot film feeling a bit anemic. However, what the film lacks in plot and characters, it more than makes up for in stunning visuals and one of the best scores of the 2000s. It may be a misstep, but when you’re dealing with Darren Aronofsky, a misstep is still better than most things out there.

55% Acting 50% Story 85% Filmmaking 100% Style 73% OVERALL SCORE The Good The Score

The Visuals

Intellectually Stimulating The Bad Lacking in Plot

Some Wooden Acting

Ambitious to a Fault Best Darren Aronofsky Movies Conclusion ​The Fountain is admirable in what kind of story it wants to tell and how it tells it. However, most people will be better off just watching Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life. Watch It Now

Darren Aronofsky Movies Ranked 4. mother! (2017)

Gnostic Take on Genesis | mother!

mother! is one heck of a roller coaster ride. The more it lingers on your mind, the more you can get out of it. Aronofsky said he wanted to make a film about climate change, but he also incorporates elements of religion with the first half of the film playing out like the story of Genesis. The latter half symbolically shows the destruction of the planet. It works because unlike Noah, Aronofsky dives headfirst into symbolism, foregoing any sense of realism to deliver a poignant message about how religion and environmentalism intertwine.

70% Acting 65% Story 85% Filmmaking 90% Style 78% OVERALL SCORE The Good Philosophical Ideas

Surrealism

Demands Discussion The Bad Confusing Plot

Lack of Subtlety

A Tad Pretentious Best Darren Aronofsky Movies Conclusion ​mother! might be Aronofsky’s most divisive film. You’ll either love it or hate it, but you should watch it to come to your own conclusion. Watch It Now

Great Darren Aronofsky Films 3. Requiem for a Dream (2000)

On the Nature of Addiction | A Matter of Film

When making a film about drug addiction, experimental camera work can help tell the story just as well as any dialogue. That’s why for Requiem for a Dream, Aronofsky employs montages of brief cuts and tight close-ups to put the audience more in the mindset of the characters. It’s arguably the most difficult Aronofsky film to watch, but for understanding what kind of stories he’s drawn to, it’s the most essential.

80% Acting 80% Story 95% Filmmaking 90% Style 86% OVERALL SCORE The Good Exceptional Camerawork

Strong Characters

Great Pacing The Bad Overly Nihilistic

Final 20 Minutes

N/A Best Darren Aronofsky Movies Conclusion ​Requiem for a Dream can be a punishing experience. Darren Aronofsky never lets up on torturing his characters for a second, but the payoff is more than worth it. Watch It Now

All of Darren Aronofsky’s Films 2. Black Swan (2010)