Darren Aronofsky’s Movies, Ranked According To IMDb

Darren Aronofsky has a distinct style presented in all of his films. His ability to tell gripping stories has created a fan base, along with cult followings for some of his movies like Requiem For A Dream.

Some of his stories are well known, like Black Swan, which some fans regard as one of Natalie Portman’s best movies. His other works like Pi have a more obscure reputation. Aronofsky has received accolades for many of his movies, as well as fans. Many of them have taken to IMDb to rate his filmography.

7 Noah — 5.7

Noah is Darren Aronofsky’s most recent feature film. It follows the biblical story of Noah’s Ark and the raging storm which befalls its main character. The title antagonist Noah prepares for a great flood by building an ark. Animals begin to show up at the ark ahead of the downpour.

Russell Crowe stars as the title character Noah. He is joined by Emma Watson, Anthony Hopkins, and Jennifer Connelly, with who Aronofsky formally worked on Requiem For A Dream. Fans of the film might say it is an excellent telling of a celebrated religious story. Others might say it strays from Aronofsky’s more original scripts, making it less highly rated than some of his other works.

6 Mother! — 6.6

Mother! presents a stylized story with horrific elements and an abstract narrative. It tells the tale of a man and his wife living in a house and several strange occurrences that follow. The man is a poet, and he is inspired by his wife. The couple doesn’t call each other by name, and before long strange visitors come to their home. The man’s wife becomes pregnant and gives birth among a whirlwind of terrifying events.

Jennifer Lawrence stars as the titular mother alongside Javier Bardem as the poet. Fans of Mother! might say the movie is gripping, and the story makes interesting connections to biblical stories. Some fans think Mother! is better than Requiem For A Dream in certain ways. Critics of the film might say it is less accessible than some of Aranofsky’s more straightforward storytelling seen in movies like The Wrestler.

5 The Fountain — 7.2

Aronofsky presents an interesting story following a surgeon, Thomas Creo, looking for a cure for his wife Izzi who is suffering from a life-threatening disease. While Thomas looks for cures, Izzi writes a story set in the time of the ancient Mayans. The narrative of the couple is told alongside abstract flashes to one taking place in the Mayan jungle, in which the main character appears very similar to Thomas. A third vision in outer space is also presented.

Hugh Jackman plays Thomas alongside Rachel Weisz as Izzi. Fans of The Fountain might say Aronofsky presents a beautiful abstract love story with the film. Others might point to its impressive visual elements, produced by filming techniques that capture extreme close-ups to create effects, rather than with computer-generated imagery.

4 Pi — 7.4

Aronofsky presents audiences with his first feature film with Pi. It is the only movie he has made in black and white. It tells the story of Maximillian “Max” Cohen, a mathematician in New York. Max tries to figure out patterns between his studies and the waking world while suffering from several mental health complications.

Pi lays the foundation for Aronofsky’s career with his signature themes and style. As Max can’t necessarily decipher what’s happening in his head and what’s happening in real life, the audience has to decide for themselves. Fans of the movie perhaps say it shows Aronofsky’s potential early in his career with its distinctive visuals. Some call Pi one of Aronofsky’s top three movies.

3 The Wrester — 7.9

The Wrestler follows Robin Ramzinski, an aging professional wrestler struggling to keep his career afloat amid health, financial, and social problems caused by it. Also known by his stage name Randy “The Ram” Robinson, he tries to connect with his daughter and build a romantic relationship with a local stripper between working at a deli counter and booking wrestling gigs.

Some say Aronofsky gave Mickey Rourke his comeback with his starring role as Randy after the film received positive feedback from fans and critics. Lovers of The Wrestler might say Aronofsky tells his most accessible story, restricting some of his more abstract visuals and ambiguous story-telling for a straightforward story that still incorporates his themes and style.

2 Black Swan — 8.0

Aronosfky gave audiences one of his most unique and praised films upon its release with Black Swan. It presents the elite world of ballet, following professional dancer Nina Sayers as she prepares for her starring role in Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake. Aronofsky’s signature elements come into play when the line between what’s real and what’s in the mind of the overwhelmed Nina becomes blurred.

Black Swan received numerous accolades including an Oscar Best Picture nomination. It’s little surprise that it is so highly rated considering its widespread popularity. Fans might point to its authentic presentation of the world of ballet with meticulous attention to detail as proof of Aronofsky’s work ethic. Others might say its performances, striking visuals, and immersive quality make it one of Aronofsky’s best movies, with a balance between abstract elements and a straightforward narrative.

1 Requiem For A Dream — 8.3

It’s hard to argue that Requiem For A Dream isn’t Aronofsky’s most notorious movie. It follows the intertwining stories of four drug addicts as they navigate their addictions and relationships. Things move from light to extremely heavy as the characters meet their downfalls by the end of the movie. Many consider Requiem For A Dream one of the best movies with a haunting and unsettling ending.

Fans of Requiem For A Dream might say it is Aronofsky’s best film because it is so effective. Audiences connect with the film so deeply thanks to its performances and the director’s heartbreaking storytelling. It features his trademark visuals presented against a strong narrative, allowing viewers to connect deeply with its protagonists, making them devastated by the time they meet their fates. Fans would say it is certainly not Aronofsky’s happiest movie, but many would say it is his best.

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