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Drama

Pop Aye (2017): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Pop Aye (2017) movie poster

Pop Aye is a 2017 drama directed by Kirsten Tan, starring Penpak Sirikul, Thaneth Warakulnukroh and Bong. It runs 1 hour 44 minutes and earned $204,464 worldwide. Critics gave it 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and 73 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10.

IMDb rating
6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
92%
worldwide gross
$204.5K
Echo Score
75
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Pop Aye (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 44m (104 min)
Director
Kirsten Tan
Genre
Drama
Original language
Thai
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Pop Aye About?

The premise of Pop Aye without spoilers.

Facing a personal crisis, a Bangkok architect unexpectedly encounters an elephant he knew from his childhood. He decides to reunite the elephant, named Pop Aye, with his family, setting off on a road trip across the beautiful Thai countryside. Along their journey, they meet a variety of memorable people who offer unexpected insights and create a touching exploration of connection and belonging.

Pop Aye Themes & Keywords

· 20 tags
  • elephant
  • husband wife relationship
  • animal in title
  • male female relationship
  • man elephant relationship
  • asian elephant
  • boy elephant relationship
  • girl elephant relationship
  • riding an elephant
  • family relationships
  • architect
  • reference to an architect
+8 more
  • long lost friend
  • meek husband
  • journey
  • journey to the past
  • human elephant relationship
  • lost elephant
  • trained elephant
  • gentle cinema
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Cast & crew

Pop Aye Cast

Penpak Sirikul leads the cast, with Thaneth Warakulnukroh and Bong. Directed by Kirsten Tan.

From the director

More from Kirsten Tan

One more film directed by Kirsten Tan: Granny.

Full filmography
Ratings

Pop Aye Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Pop Aye 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and 73 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 75/100, strongest in art & craft (85) and weakest in story & flow (60).

75 /100

Pop Aye Echo Score Breakdown

Pop Aye delivers a subtly observed road trip narrative that blends understated visual craftsmanship with emotional depth. Critics highlight its warm, airy cinematography and deliberate editing that reinforce the film’s meditative rhythm. The character dynamics between the protagonist and his elephant companion evoke both warmth and melancholy, though some find the pacing meandering. Its narrative shifts and minimalistic approach divide opinion on engagement but underscore its deliberate tone. On balance, the film leaves a quietly enduring impression without resorting to overt sentimentality.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 85

    In terms of art and craft, Pop Aye exhibits a refined visual style characterized by warm, airy compositions and purposeful editing choices. The cinematography consistently captures the film’s quiet landscapes with picturesque framing, while the production design subtly complements the rural setting. Directional decisions emphasize understated details and measured pacing. Ultimately, the film’s art direction contributes to an immersive yet restrained aesthetic that supports its contemplative tone.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    When it comes to character and emotion, Pop Aye delivers a balanced blend of warmth and melancholy through its central relationship. Performances convey nuanced affection and introspection, while subtle gestures reveal underlying regret and companionship. Some observers note the lead character’s subdued depth as limiting engagement, yet the interactions between man and elephant maintain a consistent emotive resonance. Overall, the film offers thoughtful character work with a pensive emotional core.

  • Story & Flow 60

    In terms of story and flow, Pop Aye offers a deliberately paced road trip structure that occasionally feels meandering. The plot’s episodic progression emphasizes thematic exploration over traditional narrative momentum, and shifts in tone between whimsy and reflection can disrupt coherence. Originality emerges from the unconventional elephant companionship, yet some critics find the engagement uneven. Ultimately, the story’s measured rhythm supports its introspective aims.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    When it comes to sensory experience, Pop Aye excels in its visual and auditory cohesion through warm cinematography and considered sound design. The score subtly reinforces the film’s reflective tone without overt melodic flourishes, while ambient soundscapes accentuate rural environments. The editing rhythm and visual palette create a harmonious sensorial flow. Consequently, the film’s sensory elements support its immersive, contemplative atmosphere.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    Regarding rewatch factor, Pop Aye presents a reflective tone that may appeal to viewers on subsequent viewings through its subtle thematic layers. The understated pacing and episodic structure invite appreciation of visual details and emotional nuance over time. However, its minimalistic narrative and slow rhythm might limit impulse replays. In summary, the film offers lasting contemplative value but does not guarantee broad repeatability.

Box office

Pop Aye Box Office

Pop Aye grossed $204,464 worldwide. $77,976 came from the US and Canada and $126,488 (62%) from the rest of the world.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$204.5K

US & Canada
$78K
International
$126.5K
US & Canada 38% Rest of the world 62%
Videos

Pop Aye Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Pop Aye.

POP AYE Official Trailer
Details

Pop Aye Also Known As

29 alternative titles, including “ปล้นเต็มสปีด” and “El aprendiz del crimen”.

Also known as
  • ปล้นเต็มสปีด
  • El aprendiz del crimen
  • ベイビー・ドライバー:2017
  • Baby le Chauffeur
  • Baby: el aprendiz del crimen
  • Tam Gaz
  • Baby Driver - Il genio della fuga
  • Em Ritmo de Fuga
  • На драйві
  • Nyomd, bébi, nyomd
  • Зад волана
  • Põgenemise rütm
+17 more
  • Малыш на драйве
  • בייבי דרייבר
  • Возач
  • Baby Driver - Alta Velocidade
  • 玩命再劫
  • 极盗车神
  • Vaikis ant ratų
  • 베이비 드라이버
  • จี้ (เบ)บี้ ปล้น
  • Zaļknābis pie stūres
  • Vozač
  • ベイビー・ドライバー
  • 寶貝神車手
  • Voznik
  • Quái Xế Baby, ბეიბი დრაივერი
  • بيبي درايفر
  • ബേബി ഡ്രൈവർ

Seen Pop Aye?

FAQ

Pop Aye FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Pop Aye, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Pop Aye?

Pop Aye runs 1 hour 44 minutes (104 minutes).

When was Pop Aye released?

Pop Aye was released on June 28, 2017.

Who directed Pop Aye?

Pop Aye was directed by Kirsten Tan.

More films by Kirsten Tan

Who is in the cast of Pop Aye?

Pop Aye stars Penpak Sirikul, Thaneth Warakulnukroh and Bong.

How much did Pop Aye make at the box office?

Pop Aye grossed $204,464 worldwide ($77,976 domestic, $126,488 international).

How is Pop Aye rated?

Pop Aye has 6.6/10 on IMDb, 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, 73 on Metacritic and 67% on TMDB.

Does Pop Aye have a post-credit scene?

No. Pop Aye has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Pop Aye in?

The original language of Pop Aye is Thai.

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