The Piano

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The Piano

R

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2h 0m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

90%

Tomatometer

72 Reviews

86%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Ada -- mute since birth -- her nine year old daughter and her piano arrive to an arranged marriage in the remote bush of nineteenth century New Zealand. Of all her belongings her husband refuses to transport the piano and it is left behind on the beach. Unable to bear its certain destruction, Ada strikes a bargain with an illiterate tattooed neighbor. She may earn her piano back if she allows him to do certain things while she plays; one black key for every lesson. The arrangement draws all three deeper and deeper into a complex emotional, sexual bond remarkable for its naïve passion and frightening disregard for limits.

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Critics Consensus

Powered by Holly Hunter's main performance, The Piano is a truth-seeking romance played in the key of erotic passion.

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Anthony Lane

The New Yorker

09/06/2018

From a distance, "The Piano" seems too preposterous for words; but then, as Ada knows all too well, words merely get in the way.

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Tara Brady

Irish Times

06/27/2018

5/5

Hunter's gothic heroine is complemented by Stuart Dryburgh's dark cinematography and gaspingly restrictive widowy petticoats.

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Lizzie Francke

Sight & Sound

06/20/2018

This is cinema that fills every sense.

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Julian Singleton

Cinapse

07/12/2025

A film of tempestuous emotions amidst an equally volatile jungle landscape, The Piano is the quintessential Jane Campion film.

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Bianca Garner

Filmotomy

10/04/2024

The Piano remains a masterpiece, thanks to Campion's remarkable direction. It is also worth mentioning Michael Nyman's sweeping score, and Stuart Dryburgh's gorgeous cinematography capturing the beauty and the awe of the New Zealand landscape.

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David Parkinson

Radio Times

08/30/2024

5/5

There's a masterly score by Michael Nyman and splendid photography from Stuart Dryburgh, and Campion coaxes stupendous performances from Hunter and Paquin.

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John M

1d

Extraordinary film visually, storytelling and performances, especially Holly Hunter! BRILLIANT

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Juan Carlos C

@venprestejuan 4d

¡¡¡Super aburrida y demasiado sobrevalorada!!! Nunca entendí que le vieron de interesante o "emocionante", porque ni para telenovela miamera califica

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Ann L

@abycats 5d

This movie was remarkably frank in its level of eroticism when first shown in the early 90s but all four of the lead characters are superbly cast. Glad to see movie theaters showing this again on a big screen as if deserves that exposure.

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Jens B

@Jens97 Jan 25

I'd wanted to see it for ages, finally got around to it, and I'm (almost) completely thrilled. And I even like Anna Paquin here, who used to drive me absolutely crazy in "X-Men" and "True Blood." A really great film!

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Joy B.

@9mr_0 Dec 18

فيلم جميل جدا اداء الممثلين عالي قصة هدئه وجميله المخرج ابدع في تصويرها باحداث بطيئة و هادئة تصاعديا موسقى جميله الطفلة كان ادائها رائع انصح بالمشاهده و الاستمتاع باجواء الفلم الجميله

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2000's Barbie T

@Thedoll Aug 15

Holly Hunter was so good in this movie! She carried it, period! But I have to say I literally saw no need for nudity in this movie. Is it good? Yes. Worth to watch? Yes. Will I watch it again? Probably. Was it disturbing? Definitely! I kinda wish Hunter’s character would’ve stayed single rather than being with that man who literally abused her and only objectified her for being a woman. You can’t convince me that it’s love. And it was so sad to see her actually wanting to be with him and choosing him. For a child actor, Anna was good. She was not the best, but still good. The accent was horrible though, and I couldn’t tell whether it was Scottish or German. But overall the cinematography, the music and visuals are breathtaking.

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Jane Campion

Director

Holly Hunter

Ada McGrath

Harvey Keitel

George Baines

Sam Neill

Alisdair Stewart

Anna Paquin

Flora McGrath

Kerry Walker

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Synopsis

Ada -- mute since birth -- her nine year old daughter and her piano arrive to an arranged marriage in the remote bush of nineteenth century New Zealand. Of all her belongings her husband refuses to transport the piano and it is left behind on the beach. Unable to bear its certain destruction, Ada strikes a bargain with an illiterate tattooed neighbor. She may earn her piano back if she allows him to do certain things while she plays; one black key for every lesson. The arrangement draws all three deeper and deeper into a complex emotional, sexual bond remarkable for its naïve passion and frightening disregard for limits.

Director: Jane Campion
Producer: Jane Campion
Screenwriter: Jane Campion
Distributor: Cinemussy, Miramax Films
Production Co: Australian Film Commission
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 12, 1993, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Jul 24, 2026
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 8, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $30.8K
Runtime: 2h 0m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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