Darren Aronofsky (born February 12, 1969) is an American filmmaker known for his distinctive cinematic style, marked by surreal, dramatic, and often unsettling themes rooted in psychological realism. His work has earned him numerous accolades, including a Golden Lion and a Primetime Emmy Award, along with nominations for the Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA).
Aronofsky studied film and social anthropology at Harvard University, followed by directing at the AFI Conservatory. His senior thesis film Supermarket Sweep became a finalist for the National Student Academy Award, launching a career that would soon redefine psychological and experimental filmmaking. In 1997, he founded the production company Protozoa Pictures.
He made his feature film debut with the surreal psychological thriller Pi (1998), which won him the Best Director award at the Sundance Film Festival and the Independent Spirit Award for Best First Screenplay. He followed this with the critically acclaimed Requiem for a Dream (2000), the metaphysical sci-fi romance The Fountain (2006), and the sports drama The Wrestler (2008), which earned the prestigious Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival.
Aronofsky’s Black Swan (2010), a psychological drama set in the world of ballet, was a commercial and critical success. It earned five Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, and a Best Director nomination for Aronofsky. His subsequent works include the biblical epic Noah (2014) and the divisive psychological horror film Mother! (2017).
In 2022, Aronofsky directed The Whale, a deeply emotional drama starring Brendan Fraser. The film garnered widespread acclaim, winning two Academy Awards—for Best Actor (Fraser) and Best Makeup and Hairstyling—and received additional nominations, including a Best Supporting Actress nod for Hong Chau and four BAFTA nominations.
