Between Science and Pop Culture: The Role of Mathematics in Films

The present analysis is focused on the issue of interactions of individuals with mathematics in films and strives to show why the question of the accuracy of mathematical formulas is not crucial to films and, therefore, what their main functions in the creation of the diegetic and the outer world are. In order to achieve the set aim, I ground my reflection in the idea suggested in Math Goes to the Movies, i.e. that mathematics is not presented in films only as an abstract theory, but it also carries a creative potential. Good Will Hunting (1997), A Beautiful Mind (2001) and Pi (1998) are the films in which mathematics is a substantial driving force, influencing both the gradual development and consolidation of characters. In this work, the films serve as the research material.