The floodgates are officially open!
Director Darren Aronofsky is trading the “Black Swan” ballet barre for a massive wooden ark in his upcoming blockbuster Noah, and the internet is already losing it. From a viral intro by fan-favorite Emma Watson to critics warning that this isn’t your Sunday School’s version of the Bible story, the buzz is reaching a fever pitch.
The latest trailer for the big-budget epic features a special introduction from Watson herself, who plays Noah’s adopted daughter, Ila. Fans on X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok have been quick to point out the actress’s “extreme awkwardness” in the clip—a trait many are calling a charmingly British “tradition.”
Awkward intros aside, Watson’s character appears to be the emotional heartbeat of the film. Starring alongside Russell Crowe as the visionary Noah and Jennifer Connelly as his wife, Naameh, Watson’s Ila faces the end of the world in a story that early viewers say is much “darker” than the trailers suggest.
While the marketing showcases a grand fantasy adventure, critics who caught early screenings are telling a different story.
“Darren Aronofsky’s Noah is a much different film than what’s being advertised,” Peter Sciretta of /Film posted on X. “Biblical epic meets fantasy, with a philosophical core.”
Others are warning that the film doesn’t shy away from the grim reality of the flood. “What I wonder is how audiences will take the way Noah himself gets dark,” noted critic Devin Faraci. “The film doesn’t shy from the fact he leaves LOTS of people to die.”
The road to the big screen hasn’t been without its hurdles. Reports surfaced that disclaimers were added to marketing materials to appease religious groups—reportedly without Aronofsky’s consent.
However, the director is standing firm in his vision. At the world premiere in Mexico City, he reportedly told the crowd, “It’s a very, very different movie… Anything you’re expecting, you’re f—ing wrong.”
The premiere audience reaction was a bit of a head-scratcher: the crowd reportedly stayed in their seats to clap for a solid seconds after the credits rolled, though some viewers later grumbled that the film felt “slow” in parts.
With a cast that includes Logan Lerman and Douglas Booth, Noah is shaping up to be one of the most polarizing films of the year. Whether it becomes a classic or a divisive “flop” like Aronofsky’s The Fountain remains to be seen.
Noah hits theaters on March . Are you ready to board the ark, or will you be staying on dry land?
Would you like me to look up the most recent red carpet looks from the Noah premiere?
