Pop Aye (2017): Cast, Ratings & Box Office
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.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 44m (104 min)
- Director
- Kirsten Tan
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
Thai
- Studio
- Kino Lorber
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
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 Show fewer
- long lost friend
- meek husband
- journey
- journey to the past
- human elephant relationship
- lost elephant
- trained elephant
- gentle cinema
Pop Aye Cast
Penpak Sirikul leads the cast, with Thaneth Warakulnukroh and Bong. Directed by Kirsten Tan.
- Director Kirsten Tan
More from Kirsten Tan
One more film directed by Kirsten Tan: Granny.
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).
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.
-
IMDb 6.6 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 92% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 62%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 73 Metascore
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 67% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.7 /5
39K ratings
See on Letterboxd
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.
Worldwide gross
$204.5K
- US & Canada
- $78K
- International
- $126.5K
Pop Aye Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Pop Aye.
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 Show fewer
- 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?
Movies Like Pop Aye
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Elephants, An Elephant Called Slowly and Larger Than Life.
-
Elephants 2018 -
An Elephant Called Slowly 1969 -
Larger Than Life 1996 -
Anoop and the Elephant 1972 -
Saving Flora 2019 -
The Impossible Elephant 2001 -
The Blue Elephant 2006 -
An Elephant Sitting Still 2019 -
Shining Boy and Little Randy 2005 -
Water for Elephants 2011 -
Haathi Mere Saathi 1971 -
The Scent of Green Papaya 1994
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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