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Celluloid
Drama MIFFest 2018 Editor's Pick

Pop Aye Review (2017) — 77% Celluloid Score

Directed by Kirsten Tan · 2017 ·

Short answer

Is Pop Aye worth watching?

Yes. Pop Aye (2017) earns a 77% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Critics (92%) were notably more enthusiastic than audiences (80%). See the 4 inputs.

77%
Celluloid Score Recommended

4-input transparent breakdown

92% Editorial Rating
80% Audience snapshot · excluded
75 Metascore
★★★½☆ Letterboxd 3.6
6.8 IMDb /10
0
Watch Trailer
Released
Runtime
1h 44m
Age rating
R18+ (Japan)
Cast
Thaneth Warakulnukroh , Penpak Sirikul , Bong , Sasapin Siriwanij , Nattavut Trivisivavet , Supanthu Julma , Chainarong Phokaew , Tossapol Leongsupporn , Yarinda Thongyungyuen , Nannapas Buranaworakun
Country
Singapore
Language
Thai

Also known as 뽀빠이 大力象 ป๊อปอาย มายเฟรนด์

Where to watch

We do not have a confirmed subscription streaming listing. Check services in your country; rental, purchase and cinema options may differ.

Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango at Home

Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango at Home

Why this score?

  • Celluloid's editorial rating is exceptional (92/100).
  • General viewers mostly liked it (80%).
  • Metascore is generally favorable (75/100).
  • Celluloid Score 77% combines 4 rating inputs; audience sentiment is shown separately. Consult the source notes for verification dates where recorded.

Best for

  • Viewers who want a well-regarded drama pick
  • Short runtime — easy weeknight watch
  • Critics' darlings — stronger with reviewers than general viewers

Not ideal for

    Scores reflect data indexed at build time. Component sources are shown on this page; Celluloid Score is our composite, not a third-party trademark. Scoring policy

    Streaming availability, artwork and title metadata courtesy of TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.

    Is Pop Aye worth watching?

    Yes — Pop Aye earns a 77% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. It suits viewers who want a well-regarded drama pick. Read our full review (3.5/5).

    Celluloid verdict

    Kirsten Tan’s Singapore–Thailand elephant road movie competed at MGGA 2018 — a Sundance favourite on MIFFest’s early international programme.

    , Founder & Editor

    Critics (92%) were notably more enthusiastic than audiences (80%).

    What is Pop Aye about?

    On a chance encounter, a disenchanted architect bumps into his long-lost elephant on the streets of Bangkok. Excited, he takes his elephant on a journey across Thailand in search of the farm where they grew up together.

    Watch the Trailer

    Critic Reviews

    Short review 4 min read English Pop Aye

    Pop Aye (2017) Review: A Man, an Elephant, a Long Walk

    Pop Aye is Kirsten Tan's gentle Thai-language road movie about a burnt-out Bangkok architect walking his childhood elephant home, wry and melancholy in equal parts.

    Yes, with reservations. It is a tender, offbeat road movie for patient viewers who enjoy deadpan humour and midlife melancholy, but its drift will not suit everyone.

    Kaiser Khan Founder & Editor

    Reader takes

    No reader takes published yet. Send yours and we may publish it after editing.

    Pop Aye: frequently asked questions

    Is Pop Aye worth watching?

    Yes. Pop Aye (2017) has a Celluloid Score of 77%, averaged from the available Celluloid editorial, Metascore, Letterboxd and IMDb ratings. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Audience sentiment is shown separately and does not change the score.

    How long is Pop Aye?

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

    What is Pop Aye rated?

    Pop Aye is rated R18+ in Japan. These are the official classifications as recorded on TMDB; check your local classification board for content advice.

    Who stars in Pop Aye?

    Pop Aye is directed by Kirsten Tan and stars Thaneth Warakulnukroh, Penpak Sirikul, Bong, Sasapin Siriwanij, Nattavut Trivisivavet.

    What is the Metascore for Pop Aye?

    Metacritic's Metascore for Pop Aye is 75 out of 100. It is one of the inputs to the Celluloid Score.

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