Top 10 Films About Mathematicians

Description: While not exclusively about a mathematician, the film features Will Hunting, a janitor at MIT with a genius-level understanding of mathematics, whose life changes when his talent is discovered.

Fact: Matt Damon and Ben Affleck wrote the screenplay, winning an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. The math problems in the film were provided by MIT professors.

Description: While not strictly about mathematicians, the film involves characters trapped in a maze of cube-shaped rooms, where understanding the mathematical patterns is key to survival.

Fact: The film was made with a very low budget, and its minimalist setting and complex narrative have made it a cult classic.

Description: This film follows Max Cohen, a mathematician obsessed with finding patterns in everything, including the stock market and the Torah, leading to a psychological breakdown.

Fact: Darren Aronofsky's debut feature, shot in black and white, explores themes of obsession and the search for meaning.

Description: This film explores the life of John Nash, a brilliant mathematician who made significant contributions to game theory, differential geometry, and partial differential equations. It delves into his battle with schizophrenia, offering a poignant look at the intersection of genius and mental illness.

Fact: The film was inspired by Sylvia Nasar's biography of Nash. Russell Crowe gained 40 pounds to portray Nash's later years.

Description: A mystery thriller involving a series of murders linked by mathematical symbols, where a student and his professor use logic and mathematics to solve the case.

Fact: The film was based on a novel by Guillermo Martínez, and it explores the concept of logical paradoxes.

Description: The story of Srinivasa Ramanujan, an Indian mathematician who, despite his lack of formal training, made profound contributions to mathematical analysis, number theory, and infinite series.

Fact: Dev Patel stars as Ramanujan, and the film highlights the cultural and academic challenges he faced.

Description: Focused on Alan Turing, the film captures his efforts during WWII to crack the German Enigma code, highlighting his mathematical prowess and the personal challenges he faced due to his homosexuality.

Fact: Benedict Cumberbatch was nominated for an Academy Award for his portrayal of Turing. The film's title refers to Turing's famous test for machine intelligence.

Description: This biopic focuses on Stephen Hawking, detailing his early life, his work in theoretical physics, and his battle with motor neuron disease, showcasing his mathematical mind.

Fact: Eddie Redmayne won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Hawking. The film's title is a reference to Hawking's quest for a unified theory.

Description: Set during WWII, this film follows a young mathematician, Tom Jericho, who is recruited to break the Enigma code, blending historical events with fictional narrative.

Fact: The film was based on Robert Harris's novel, and although not entirely accurate, it captures the urgency and complexity of codebreaking.

Description: Based on David Auburn's play, it centers on Catherine, the daughter of a famous mathematician, who must prove a groundbreaking theorem she claims to have written.

Fact: Gwyneth Paltrow plays Catherine, and the film explores themes of genius, mental health, and legacy.