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Pi

Pi

1998
Drama, Suspense/Thriller
1h 24m
Max is a genius mathematician who's built a supercomputer at home that provides something that can be understood as a key for understanding all existence. Representatives both from a Hasidic cabalistic sect and high-powered Wall Street firm hear of that secret and attempt to seduce him. (imdb)
Your probable score
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Pi

1998
Drama, Suspense/Thriller
1h 24m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 59.53% from 8099 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(8099)
Compact view
Compact view
Rated 24 Feb 2009
91
97th
Exhilarating, refreshing, neurotic, genius, .... The amount of superlatives has no limit on to describe how enthousiastic I am about Pi. Being his first movie and produced with a lousy $60,000 shows how much talent Aronofsky has. ... The hyperkinetic editing, the breakcore soundtrack, the brilliant visual style, it all ads up.
Rated 15 Nov 2008
19
19th
Slightly interesting visuals have somehow propelled this embarassing, filmschool wankfest into cult teritory. Farcical in its humourless selfimportance, this one at least has the decency not to be as dizzyingly awful as director Aranofskys sophomore outing.
Rated 10 May 2017
96
99th
Although the gobsmackingly cool score by Clint (The) Man(-)sell certainly helps, Darren Aronofsky's no-budget debut is definitive proof that all you need to make a masterpiece is a good idea and a brilliant director.
Rated 10 May 2022
93
75th
One of the best directorial debuts of all time. Aronofsky’s style of both directing and writing isn’t for everyone, but I love it. This is every bit as good as some of his highest praised films. The acting is exceptional, as is Clint’s badass music, but Aronofsky’s use or street corners and high-contrast cinematography is brilliant, and the mystery here is legitimately interesting and low key unsettling. Watch this if you haven’t yet. It’s very short and surprisingly accessible.
Rated 21 Apr 2007
10
97th
For a first time director this is undeniably a masterful and truly original piece of work. Love the frenetic style and unpredictable storyline. One of, if not the best independent film I've ever seen.
Rated 28 Aug 2008
100
97th
Aronofsky is a genius, and even if you don't understand a thing during the first 60 minutes, in the end it becomes apparent that the plot is very well crafted. The last 20 minutes are pure brilliance.
Rated 09 Mar 2007
70
42nd
interesting and annoying all at once, like a singing hemorrhoid
Rated 12 Sep 2008
99
99th
Aronofsky's best Movie. Some really crazy & abstract moments especially at the beginning, but in the end everything fits together. Mansell's Score is terrific, as usual! Great, greater Aronofsky
Rated 05 Nov 2008
98
99th
Masterpiece!
Rated 06 Nov 2009
75
81st
Talk about a great first film! Aronofsky takes very interesting subject matter and makes it a joy to watch in this masterfully calculated thriller. It may be a student film but it's one of his best.
Rated 25 Sep 2010
70
79th
About as impressive as low budget indie films get. Interesting story, the actors pull it off, good score and some good use of the camera. It made me uncomfortable and on edge at times.
Rated 29 Jul 2014
60
53rd
Thinking back on it today, I stand before you a conflicted man. It's not hard to argue that a plot revolving around Jewish mathematics mysticism should never have left film school. But maybe, if you consider later offerings in the by-the-numbers genre, such as 'Knowing' and '23' we should all sheathe our pitchforks in the ground and take a breather.
Rated 22 Sep 2019
67
30th
For anyone who thought REQUIEM FOR A DREAM was too stylistically overwrought... Flat-out study of paranoia and insanity (or is it?) is not especially enjoyable or edifying, but does show the seeds of Aronofsky's signature ability to pull the viewer into a sick mind's sad and angry world, though in this case the film is so abrasive and spiky it becomes difficult to become invested, despite Gullette's committed performance, and nice support work from Margolis. Essential for Aronofsky completists.
Rated 13 Jul 2021
70
45th
Audiovisually I love it, grainy b&w with a breakbeat soundtrack remains a unique combo. 5 bonus points for using Autechre. But Aronofsky's vibe comes off painfully self-serious and despite the cool aesthetic and concepts I find interesting - artificial intelligence, pareidolia, numerology, cabalist intonations - there's a lifelessness to it all that keeps me at arms length. It's like A Serious Man with no heart, Eraserhead with no humor.
Rated 15 Mar 2023
83
79th
Having an 8k IMAX presentation of a film shot on 16mm reversal is certainly a choice. But it brought me full circle to falling asleep to the VHS in my room in high school. It’s full of compelling contradictions, creating an otherworldly effect: a low-fi high-tech whirlwind of Hasids and Bankers tussling over a math recluse with Icarus migraines, the glue is Aronofsky’s signature visual and thematic percussion - building to fever pitches of tension and release. 25 years on, it’s still riveting.
Rated 01 Feb 2007
94
98th
A film which explores the curse of genius, the search for answers in life, the pain of the pain to those answers, and ultimately the award that awaits you at the end of the journey.
Rated 14 Mar 2007
70
51st
Interesting ideas and dazzling vissual style. And it's not form over substance.
Rated 18 Mar 2007
70
41st
A little too artistic for its own good. Pi is still entertaining and very creative.
Rated 26 Mar 2007
81
79th
Movie is pretty fucked up. It's Darren Aronofsky, so if you're a fan, then you'll likely enjoy this movie.
Rated 09 Jul 2007
94
98th
I vehemetly disagree with this film's assertions, but it's so damn well argued that it's impossible to dismiss this film as anything but excellent.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
38
23rd
Interesting concept, but Aronofsky is such a pretentious wanker he sorta ruins it.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
88
88th
Gritty and jittery, I myself got a migraine just watching it!
Rated 14 Aug 2007
69
25th
Maybe I need to see it again, but....
Rated 08 Nov 2007
96
98th
A great first-time(?) effort from this director. Surreal and very strong story wise. Turns movie into true art.
Rated 26 Apr 2008
86
87th
Aronofsky creates a great movie with practically no money. The low budget shows but just adds to the atmosphere.
Rated 20 Jun 2008
87
87th
Darren Aronofsky's first film showcases the style that would infect many fans for his next few films. A intelligent film that gets one thinking and suck the viewer into the protagonists strange and painful world.
Rated 24 Jul 2008
95
87th
Hating this is like saying Stanley Kubrick sucks. It isn't true! Has a dazzling visual style and it's very puzzling, textured and flashy. Roll that all into one and you have one of the best independent films in the business. Awesome for a debut!
Rated 12 Feb 2009
67
43rd
Really interesting subject matter drives the plot, but it's a glorified student film, and unpleasant to watch at points.
Rated 23 Jun 2009
68
55th
Pi is a smart, unnerving film about a mathematician fascinated with patterns looking for ways to predict the stock market. While the plot wasn't entirely satisfactory, and along with its main character maybe got a little too close to insanity at times, the noisy, jittery B&W cinematography works well to create a disturbing and confused atmosphere that pulls you along. The music from Requiem for a Dream has clearly been influenced by the music for Pi, having a similarly exhilirating soundtrack.
Rated 04 Aug 2009
4
55th
Has moments of interest, but I don't know how anyone can take this seriously.
Rated 12 Sep 2010
2
14th
I can't give this any congratulations. Not only did all the story and drama suck even the math in it sucked. They clearly did not have a single associates degree level mathematician checking the film.
Rated 28 May 2011
84
52nd
A brilliant debut, with an excellent soundtrack, amazing stark cinematography, and an intense performance. Even though Aronofsky later builds on this, it's substantially better than both Wrestler and Requiem for me.
Rated 20 Jun 2012
50
14th
Several of the more narrative elements are undercooked and abrupt in the course of the film, while the music imposes on the image in an oppressive manner. The more experimental flourishes are certainly interesting, and the central dilemma of the main character is handled well. But what should be an emotionally engaging conclusion feels more like a clever wink to the audience.
Rated 24 Oct 2012
10
2nd
The movie is entirely confusing and fails on every level. It is basically a drugged out psychotic episode, and the plot of this movie is ridiculous. It is sometimes entertaining in a crazy, bizarre, stupid way, but mostly just idiotic action for the sake of dramatic effect. I really hated the lame brain sequences, and exceedingly stupid religious garbage. Also the ending was total crap. What a waste of time, money and resources to make this horrendously inane and pointless movie.
Rated 02 Nov 2014
30
3rd
If you look at this film from a scientific stand point, it's complete garbage. As a film about a mathematician going crazy and paranoid because of a brain tumor it almost works, but it would have been more interesting if those 2 sides had been more balanced. It might even have made the pain of going through this claustrophobic movie bearable.
Rated 23 Apr 2016
86
57th
It is a very jarring and sometimes difficult film to watch with the rough, sandpaper black and white visuals juxtaposed with the complex plot involving the number Pi. But if you let yourself get absorbed into the film, you will find a deep and philosophical analysis of numbers and religion that will make you smarter while making you feel dumb. Plus there's a scene with crazy jews. That's not a sentence I get to say often enough.
Rated 21 May 2018
60
12th
Comically dead-serious
Rated 07 Jun 2018
75
59th
Fresh off my first viewing and I'm not sure I've ever seen a more frenetically paced film in my life. Though too abrasive for its own good at times, it works on the basis of having a wicked premise and some pure vision from Aronofsky.
Rated 17 Jun 2018
60
51st
I really liked this movie at the beginning and I enjoys the trippy wild ride it was taking me on but by the hour mark the film began to drag and a lot of the scenes seemed to become repetitive even when they were new scenes.
Rated 07 Dec 2006
92
96th
Pi is one of the most incredible "search for meaning" movies ever. A must-see.
Rated 12 Dec 2006
58
10th
It started off fine but then it descends into meaningless pseudo-scientific bullshit and completely incomprehensible conspiracy theories. I get that it's supposed to be his descent into madness but I just found it terribly annoying by the end.
Rated 14 Dec 2006
88
54th
Jews, the stock market, and hallucinations! Hooray!
Rated 10 Jan 2007
98
99th
Perhaps Aronofsky's best. Cerebral, experimental, and frightening to the very end. Also a visual masterpiece.
Rated 26 Jan 2007
74
42nd
Very weird and very low budget. But all that aside it doesn't really come together as well as it should. Still interesting and thought provoking.
Rated 21 Feb 2007
70
30th
Interesting and stylish, but with so many ideas introduced it feels overlong despite its 85 minute length.
Rated 02 Mar 2007
60
62nd
Good Sci Fi.
Rated 19 Mar 2007
50
3rd
not as good as adreamed
Rated 05 Apr 2007
83
74th
Aronofsky is a mad scientist. We love him so. Also, let's hear it for surreal and compelling psychological math-thrillers!
Rated 30 Apr 2007
78
54th
shit's bananas.
Rated 05 May 2007
77
79th
Confusing but absorbing...
Rated 06 May 2007
75
53rd
odd and fun. not a move for everyone, to be sure.
Rated 26 May 2007
65
62nd
Freaky.
Rated 08 Jun 2007
80
60th
Impenetrable in places, but still a good mindfuck of a movie.
Rated 14 Jun 2007
80
85th
Visually stimulating and intellectually pleasing; clever, fast-paced and fascinating.
Rated 17 Jun 2007
80
68th
Good sf film made in black and white by filmmakers who had absolutely no money
Rated 08 Jul 2007
86
88th
I would rate this fascinating movie higher if I wasn't so sure that Aronofsky wasn't deliberately trying to confuse the hell out of people. Bizarre, crazy, intriguing...I would only recommend watching it if you liked his second film (Requiem) and want to see his first effort.
Rated 12 Jul 2007
90
66th
Really messed-up, but really good.
Rated 18 Jul 2007
55
23rd
This movie wasn't nearly as smart as it believed itself to be.
Rated 25 Jul 2007
85
62nd
Indi film at it's best
Rated 04 Aug 2007
90
27th
good film. very creepy
Rated 14 Aug 2007
65
24th
Boring
Rated 14 Aug 2007
88
94th
Smart, fast and hip drama.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
70
35th
weird
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
50th
Good, but Sean Gullette's acting is not winning any awards anytime soon.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
67
25th
It was doing so well and then it just ended. I would have liked more.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
88
91st
For a movie with no subtext, Pi comes astonishingly close to transcending its 90s indie roots.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
68
55th
A ridiculous movie about math and Jews. Great cinematography. Clever ideas, but a tad boring.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
88
66th
An ambitious film by Darren Aronofsky.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
70
79th
Nice looking. A little long.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
9
6th
OVERRATED!!!
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
97th
Awesome. Very bizarre, but sit through it. Great ideas.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
45
6th
Despite its obvious intelligence, I was bored by this movie and the blaring score and flashing b&w cinematography gave me a migrane.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
95
82nd
Pi was a great movie. I love the camera work, story, acting... great film
Rated 14 Aug 2007
79
72nd
As near a perfect thriller as I've seen.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
98
99th
Pi is a movie about a number theorist who constantly behaves in an irrational manner.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
10
1st
This movie is about Phi, not Pi. I couldn't get over that. A lot of hype about nothing. Grating soundtrack: overuse of Aphex Twin. Unconvincing drama, a self-indulgent piece of crap that wastes all the potential of exploring what Phi can do.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
63
51st
A bit too flashy for my tastes.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
78th
Aronofsky's finest moment so far.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
50
45th
A weird and cool little movie witha convuluted plot.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
32nd
Great in parts, but this is a film I didn't "get."
Rated 14 Aug 2007
60
57th
Frequently ludicrous but endlessly inventive film, never dull. Aronofsky's debut, with sharp promise.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
8
93rd
Blew my young mind when I saw it as a kid. One of few films that manages to turn disturbing, surreal, claustrophobic weirdness into art, and I love it for that.
Rated 15 Aug 2007
90
85th
I loved this film. Other people may quibble with how much they personally enjoyed it, but I think it's undeniably one of the most intelligent and competent directorial debuts ever.
Rated 17 Aug 2007
88
95th
Very good movie, black and white with a very nice feel to it. Music and pictures go hand in hand creating a psychedelic trip of craziness, crescending in dramatic end. Sometimes the movie can be a bit slow but if you like the feel of Requiem for Dream but not so much the heavy subject matter you should love this movie.
Rated 20 Aug 2007
88
59th
Very original, great fun.
Rated 24 Aug 2007
62
40th
Painfully arthouse, but Aronofsky deserves credit for making a good solid movie out of chicken scratch. He's not a bad writer, I'll give him that.
Rated 16 Sep 2007
61
27th
I know most people like this film, and I can see why, but I did not like it at all.
Rated 23 Sep 2007
3
61st
It's pretty thoughtful, creepy, and cool looking, but boy-fucking-howdy is it ever overrated. A good stepping stone to better films.
Rated 17 Oct 2007
50
55th
This movie is intense and gritty!! Its good though!
Rated 26 Oct 2007
50
28th
- worth experiencing
Rated 14 Nov 2007
45
7th
Portnoy's Complaint, but with math instead of sex. And without a sense of humor.
Rated 16 Nov 2007
15
18th
meh.
Rated 31 Dec 2007
45
11th
Overall a pretty boring movie. Just when you think it's going to get interesting it...well...doesn't.
Rated 04 Jan 2008
78
55th
An interesting little movie, with a very creepy mood, but it felt a little too much like Eraserhead most of the time.
Rated 15 Jan 2008
70
64th
Pi stands out just by being different. It has good pacing, solid suspense, and I was genuinely surprised by the direction the plot took.
Rated 08 Feb 2008
80
62nd
Beautiful, but too straightforward.
Rated 16 Feb 2008
87
5th
Very interesting story involving cabalistic view of numbers and belief that The Holly Covenant was in fact,containing a sequence of numbers that represented God himself or the key of the universe.Behind solution is a man madly devoted to find a mathematical means to reach the gates of a God's mind.For everyone who think that there is something more to everything,to the world,something we were not told of.
Rated 01 Mar 2008
55
39th
Ugh.
Rated 05 Mar 2008
85
41st
The fuck?
Rated 05 Mar 2008
9
97th
Interesting ideas, backed with great photography and a great soundtrack.

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