The Piano

Play trailer

The Piano

R,

1993,

2h 0m,

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

91%

70 Reviews

Tomatometer

86%

25,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

70 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.

Critics Consensus

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

Read Critics Reviews

Anthony Lane

The New Yorker

Sep 6, 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.

Go to Full Review

Tara Brady

Irish Times

Jun 27, 2018

5/5

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

Go to Full Review

Lizzie Francke

Sight & Sound

Jun 20, 2018

This is cinema that fills every sense.

Go to Full Review

Dennis Harvey

48 Hills

Aug 10, 2026

he Piano holds up very well -- though she’s never yet made a film that wasn’t at least interesting, it remains Campion’s arguable best.

Go to Full Review

Julian Singleton

Cinapse

Jul 12, 2025

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

Go to Full Review

Bianca Garner

Filmotomy

Oct 4, 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.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Apr 9, 2019

I hated this movie. Really, really hated it.

George W

Feb 6, 2019

This 1993's beautiful and poetic film follows a mute woman who is sent to 1850s New Zealand along with her young daughter and prized piano for an arranged marriage to a rich landlord, but is soon seduced by a local gardener. Holly Hunter's performance is strong and intense without the need for words and Anna Paquin definitely surprised everyone at the age of 11 with her first role in a motion picture, for which both actresses won their respective Oscars. With 3 wins out of 8 nominations, including Best Original Screenplay, it proves to be an outstanding work by director Jane Campion with a prodigious music score.

See more

Jan 28, 2019

fine acting average movie.

Aug 9, 2018

WHAT A MOVIE!!! It captured me from the start... and left me thinking for days afterwards. the real brilliance for me was the ending with Ada's hands moving across the piano, almost as if all that had happened was a unfortunate dream. Only to have the haunting tap, tap, tap , tap of reality, a constant reminder on her hand.

See more

Luke L

Jun 29, 2018

Slow, dull boring story about a mute woman who plays piano. I think. I couldn't finish it because I was so bored. It's supposed to be erotic. LOL. No.

See more

May 7, 2018

The Piano is the most bullshit story ever. Who the fuck goes to fuckin New Zealand and meets a half Maori white dude on an island? and she's mute who proclaims her sexuality with her piano?????? and seduces guys? And how did she have a daughter and practically ignores her daughter? I wanna give this move 0 stars and I don't understand why it gets so many award probably cause the director is a woman.

See more

Read all reviews

Jane Campion

Director

Holly Hunter

Ada McGrath

Harvey Keitel

George Baines

Sam Neill

Alisdair Stewart

Anna Paquin

Flora McGrath

Kerry Walker

Aunt Morag

Lolita

82%

84%

Lolita

Watchlist

The Lovers on the Bridge

86%

88%

The Lovers on the Bridge

Watchlist

The Marriage of Maria Braun

92%

90%

The Marriage of Maria Braun

Watchlist

The Sheltering Sky

44%

79%

The Sheltering Sky

Watchlist

The Red Violin

76%

91%

The Red Violin

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

What to Watch with Flack Star Anna Paquin

Melanie Lynskey’s Five Favorite Films

14 Certified Fresh Movies Added to Netflix, Amazon Prime

View more photos

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): $106.0K
Runtime: 2h 0m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings