No Time 1994
Long before *Black Swan* and *Requiem for a Dream*, Darren Aronofsky's raw, black-and-white student short *No Time (1994)* marked the debut of a filmmaker destined to redefine cinema's emotional extremes.
Director: Darren Aronofsky
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is No Time (1994) about?
*No Time* follows a young man spiraling through a single, surreal day as he confronts the absurdity of his own procrastination. The film uses dark humor to explore themes of time, mortality, and the fear of failure, all wrapped in a frenetic, time-loop structure.
Who directed No Time?
Darren Aronofsky, the visionary filmmaker behind *Black Swan* and *Mother!*, directed *No Time* as his student short at the American Film Institute.
Who stars in No Time?
The film features Robert Dylan Cohen, Chas Mastin, Billy Portman, Alissa Rosen, and Andrea Shreeman in its central cast.
Is No Time (1994) worth watching?
As a 23-minute student film, *No Time* is less refined than Aronofsky's later masterpieces but offers a fascinating glimpse into his early style. Fans of his themes or avant-garde comedy will appreciate its raw energy, though its brevity may limit wider appeal.
How long is No Time?
The runtime is 23 minutes.
About No Time (1994) — Darren Aronofsky's early student short blends comedy and dread
Long before *Black Swan* and *Requiem for a Dream*, Darren Aronofsky's raw, black-and-white student short *No Time (1994)* marked the debut of a filmmaker destined to redefine cinema's emotional extremes. Clocking in at just 23 minutes, this early work already pulses with Aronofsky's signature intensity, weaving a surreal comedy that feels like a fever dream—part absurdity, part existential dread. Set against the backdrop of New York City's gritty underbelly, the film follows a young man's frantic race against time, not merely to meet a deadline, but to confront the inescapable weight of his own mortality. The atmosphere crackles with nervous energy, blending slapstick timing with an undercurrent of dread that hints at the psychological thrillers Aronofsky would later master.
The cast—led by Robert Dylan Cohen, Chas Mastin, and Billy Portman—delivers performances that oscillate between manic humor and haunting vulnerability, grounding the film's fantastical premise in relatable human frailty. As a comedic meditation on procrastination and panic, *No Time (1994)* feels ahead of its time, foreshadowing the director's obsession with time as both a narrative device and a metaphor for life's relentless march. Whether you're a fan of Aronofsky's later work or a student of cinema history, this compact yet electric short offers a tantalizing glimpse into the genesis of a bold new voice.