Darren Aronofsky is one of the most recognizable faces in independent cinema today.
He is a filmmaker who tackles difficult subjects, dark parts of the human psyche and soul. Often the subjects of his films are considered taboo in society.
In this guide, we’ll introduce a rundown of the best Darren Aronofsky movies, listing them in ranking order of what we believe to be his best.
BEST DARREN ARONOFSKY MOVIES
Who Is Darren Aronofsky?
Darren Aronofsky is a film director, writer, and producer. He was born in Brooklyn, New York on February 12th 1969 to an architect father and a social worker mother.
Darren has been nominated for six Academy Awards (Best Director) and has won three of them.
One of his most famous films is Black Swan which starred Natalie Portman as Nina Sayers who falls victim to the all-consuming world of competitive ballet.
Here are what we consider to be the best Darren Aronofsky movies. The list is in ranking order, but with a filmmaker like Aronofsky, it’s not like we consider any of his films to be ‘poor,’ with the possible exception of Noah.
Best Darren Aronofsky Movies
Let’s jump right in with a modern classic that really put Aronofsky on the map!
Requiem For A Dream (2000)
Requiem for a Dream
2000 • 1h 42min • ★ 8.013/10 • United States of America
Directed by: Darren Aronofsky
Cast: Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, Marlon Wayans, Christopher McDonald
The drug-induced utopias of four Coney Island residents are shattered when their addictions run deep.
Requiem For A Dream is a haunting and visceral portrayal of addiction and the devastating consequences that come with it.
Darren Aronofsky’s direction is masterful, utilizing a frenetic and intense style to immerse the audience in the characters’ downward spiral.
The performances are nothing short of incredible, with Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, and Ellen Burstyn all delivering raw and devastating portrayals of individuals consumed by their addictions.
Burstyn, in particular, delivers a heartbreaking performance as a lonely widow who becomes addicted to diet pills in a desperate attempt to lose weight and feel valued.
The film’s score, composed by Clint Mansell, is also a standout element, perfectly capturing the film’s dark and haunting tone.
Requiem For A Dream is not an easy watch, but it is a powerful and important one.
It serves as a stark reminder of the destructive nature of addiction and the toll it can take on individuals and their loved ones.
This film is a must-see for anyone who wants to better understand the complexities of addiction and its impact on society.
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly (Actors)
- Darren Aronofsky (Director) - Hubert Selby Jr. (Writer) - Eric Watson (Producer)
- English (Playback Language)
- English (Subtitle)
Black Swan (2010)
Black Swan
The pressure of perfection.
2010 • 1h 49min • ★ 7.686/10 • United States of America
Directed by: Darren Aronofsky
Cast: Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel, Barbara Hershey, Winona Ryder
The story of Nina, a ballerina in a New York City ballet company whose life, like all those in her profession, is completely consumed with dance. She lives with her retired ballerina mother Erica who zealously supports her daughter's professional ambition. When artistic director Thomas Leroy decides to replace prima ballerina Beth MacIntyre for the opening production of their new season, Swan Lake, Nina is his first choice.
Black Swan is a haunting and mesmerizing psychological thriller that delves into the mind of a ballerina on the brink of insanity.
Natalie Portman delivers a stunning performance as Nina, a dedicated ballerina who becomes consumed by the lead role in Swan Lake.
If you like Darren Aronofsky’s work, on our sister site AuteurGraph we have a profile page, a visual film timeline, and a ratings page that gives a tonne of info and data about their career in a visualized form.
As she struggles to embody both the pure White Swan and the seductive Black Swan, her mental state begins to unravel, leading to a series of disturbing and surreal events.
The film’s dark and foreboding atmosphere is perfectly complemented by the haunting score by Clint Mansell, which adds an eerie and unsettling tone to the already tense and suspenseful scenes.
Black Swan is a tour de force of filmmaking, with every aspect of the production working together seamlessly to create a truly unforgettable experience.
It is a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll, leaving you in awe of its beauty and shaken by its intensity.
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Natalie Portman, Vincent Cassel, Mila Kunis (Actors)
- Darren Aronofsky (Director) - Mark Heyman (Writer) - Mike Medavoy (Producer)
- Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
The Wrestler (2008)
The Wrestler
Love. Pain. Glory.
2008 • 1h 49min • ★ 7.528/10 • United States of America
Directed by: Darren Aronofsky
Cast: Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood, Mark Margolis, Todd Barry
Aging wrestler Randy "The Ram" Robinson is long past his prime but still ready and rarin' to go on the pro-wrestling circuit. After a particularly brutal beating, however, Randy hangs up his tights, pursues a serious relationship with a long-in-the-tooth stripper, and tries to reconnect with his estranged daughter. But he can't resist the lure of the ring and readies himself for a comeback.
The Wrestler is a raw and emotional character study that packs a powerful punch.
Aronofsky and actor Mickey Rourke team up to deliver a gritty, unflinching portrayal of Randy “The Ram” Robinson, a washed-up wrestler struggling to make ends meet and find meaning in his life.
Rourke’s performance is nothing short of phenomenal, bringing a heartbreaking vulnerability to a character who has been beaten down both physically and emotionally.
The film’s intimate, handheld camerawork and naturalistic lighting help to create a sense of intimacy and realism, making us feel as though we are right there with Randy as he grapples with his demons.
The supporting cast is equally impressive, with Marisa Tomei delivering a nuanced and complex performance as Cassidy, a stripper who forms an unlikely bond with Randy, and Evan Rachel Wood bringing depth and complexity to the role of Stephanie, Randy’s estranged daughter.
The Wrestler is a powerful and unforgettable film that will leave you breathless.
Its unflinching honesty and raw emotion make it a true masterpiece of modern cinema.
mother! (2017)
mother!
Seeing is believing.
2017 • 2h 1min • ★ 6.965/10 • United States of America
Directed by: Darren Aronofsky
Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Javier Bardem, Ed Harris, Michelle Pfeiffer, Brian Gleeson
A couple's relationship is tested when uninvited guests arrive at their home, disrupting their tranquil existence.
Jennifer Lawrence gives a remarkable performance as the titular mother, a young woman who is devoted to her husband (played by Javier Bardem), a struggling writer who is desperate for inspiration.
As their idyllic home is invaded by increasingly bizarre and disturbing guests, the mother’s world begins to unravel in ways that are both shocking and surreal.
Aronofsky’s direction is masterful, using tight close-ups and rapid editing to create a sense of escalating tension and madness.
The film’s sound design is also noteworthy, with the creaks and groans of the house contributing to the overall sense of dread.
While mother! is not a film for everyone, it is undeniably an ambitious and thought-provoking work that will stick with you long after the credits roll.
If you are willing to embrace its challenging and unconventional approach to storytelling, you will be rewarded with a cinematic experience that is unlike anything else out there.
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Jennifer Lawrence, Javier Bardem, Ed Harris (Actors)
- Darren Aronofsky (Director) - Darren Aronofsky (Writer) - Scott Franklin (Producer)
- English (Playback Language)
- English (Subtitle)
The Fountain (2006)
The Fountain
What if you could live forever?
2006 • 1h 36min • ★ 6.913/10 • United States of America
Directed by: Darren Aronofsky
Cast: Hugh Jackman, Rachel Weisz, Ellen Burstyn, Mark Margolis, Stephen McHattie
Spanning over one thousand years, and three parallel stories, The Fountain is a story of love, death, spirituality, and the fragility of our existence in this world.
The Fountain is a visually stunning and deeply philosophical film that explores the themes of love, mortality, and the search for eternal life.
The film follows the story of a man named Tom (Hugh Jackman) who is desperately trying to find a cure for his wife Izzi’s (Rachel Weisz) terminal illness.
In parallel, the movie also tells the story of a Spanish conquistador named Tomas (also played by Jackman) who is searching for the Tree of Life in order to gain immortality.
The two stories are intricately woven together, creating a beautiful and complex narrative that leaves a lasting impression on the viewer.
What sets The Fountain apart from other films is its breathtaking visuals.
The use of color, light, and special effects creates a dreamlike atmosphere that perfectly complements the film’s poetic and philosophical themes.
The score, composed by Clint Mansell, is also exceptional, adding to the film’s emotional depth and intensity.
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Hugh Jackman, Rachel Weisz, Ellen McRae (Actors)
- Darren Aronofsky (Director) - Darren Aronofsky (Writer) - Eric Watson (Producer)
- English (Playback Language)
- English (Subtitle)
Pi (1998)
Pi
Faith in chaos.
1998 • 1h 24min • ★ 7.11/10 • United States of America
Directed by: Darren Aronofsky
Cast: Sean Gullette, Mark Margolis, Ben Shenkman, Pamela Hart, Stephen Pearlman
A mathematical genius discovers a link between numbers and reality, and thus believes he can predict the future.
Pi is a mind-bending, visually striking film from director Darren Aronofsky that explores the limits of human knowledge and the consequences of obsession.
The film follows a brilliant mathematician named Max Cohen (played by Sean Gullette) as he becomes increasingly consumed by his quest to find a pattern in the stock market using his self-built supercomputer.
What follows is a dizzying descent into madness, as Max’s obsession drives him to the brink of insanity and puts his life in danger.
Gullette’s performance is captivating, and Aronofsky’s use of stark black-and-white cinematography creates a haunting atmosphere that perfectly complements the film’s themes.
Pi may not be for everyone, as its abstract storytelling and unconventional structure can be challenging to follow at times.
But for those willing to dive deep into its complex web of ideas, Pi is a thrilling, thought-provoking journey that lingers long after the credits roll.
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Sean Gullette, Mark Margolis, Ben Shenkman (Actors)
- Darren Aronofsky (Director) - Darren Aronofsky (Writer) - Eric Watson (Producer)
- English (Playback Language)
- English (Subtitle)
Noah (2014)
Noah
The end of the world is just the beginning.
2014 • 2h 18min • ★ 5.671/10 • United States of America
Directed by: Darren Aronofsky
Cast: Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Ray Winstone, Anthony Hopkins, Emma Watson
A man who suffers visions of an apocalyptic deluge takes measures to protect his family from the coming flood.
Noah is a visually stunning epic that takes audiences on a journey through a well-known biblical tale.
Aronofsky brings a unique and imaginative vision to the story, creating a world that is both familiar and fantastical.
Russell Crowe delivers a powerful performance as the titular character, portraying Noah as a complex and conflicted figure struggling to reconcile his faith with his duty to protect his family and the natural world.
The supporting cast, including Emma Watson, Jennifer Connelly, and Anthony Hopkins, add depth and nuance to the film’s themes of humanity, morality, and environmentalism.
The film’s stunning cinematography and special effects are a true highlight, capturing the grandeur and beauty of the natural world and the awe-inspiring spectacle of the flood.
The score by Clint Mansell is also a standout, perfectly capturing the film’s emotional highs and lows.
While the film does take some liberties with the biblical story, it remains a thought-pro visually stunning exploration of faith, morality, and the human condition.
Noah is a must-see for fans of epic cinema and anyone interested in exploring the deeper themes of one of the world’s oldest stories.
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly (Actors)
- Darren Aronofsky (Director) - Darren Aronofsky (Writer) - Scott Franklin (Producer)
- English (Playback Language)
- English (Subtitle)
Ready to learn about more Film History & Film Movements?
