MATHEMATICAL FICTION:

a list compiled by Alex Kasman (College of Charleston)

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Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)
James Mangold / Jez Butterworth / John-Henry Butterworth / David Koepp
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I finally saw this final installment of the Indiana Jones movies and was surprised that there was a mathematical aspect to it. In hindsight, I realize that the reason I did not hear about it is that it is difficult to describe without any spoilers. So, let me just start by saying that there really is only a tiny bit of math in this, only barely justifying its inclusion on this website IMHO. That may be enough for most people. But, if you want more details and don't mind spoilers then read on:

A key plot point is the idea that the Antikythera mechanism was actually made by Archimedes as a way to predict spacetime distortions that allow for time travel. (In reality, there is no clear evidence linking Archimedes to the device and, of course, there is no reason to think it had anything to do with time travel.) So, characters frequently mention Archimedes, who is described as a mathematician and a genius.

Indy and his colleagues are surprised that the device seems to work. (The real device certainly was no longer functional after over 2000 years under the ocean!) When one of them says so, a Nazi scientist bursts in with armed thugs and says "Of course it works. Math works!"

Indeed, it works well enough to take them back in time where Indy gets to meet Archimedes (whom he recognizes immediately somehow).

A portrayal of a historical mathematician, several modern characters talking about him as a genius, and the bit of pro-math propaganda in the line "Math works!" (though said by a Nazi) comprise the entire math content of this film. Not a lot, but as I said, just enough to convince me that it should be included in this list.

More information about this work can be found at www.imdb.com.
(Note: This is just one work of mathematical fiction from the list. To see the entire list or to see more works of mathematical fiction, return to the Homepage.)

Works Similar to Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
According to my `secret formula', the following works of mathematical fiction are similar to this one:
  1. The Kingdom of Ohio by Matthew Flaming
  2. Arcadia by Iain Pears
  3. Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson
  4. Conceiving Ada by Lynn Hershman-Leeson
  5. The Imitation Game by Morten Tyldum (director) / Graham Moore (screenplay)
  6. Enigma by Robert Harris / Tom Stoppard
  7. Gentzen oder: Betrunken aufräumen [Gentzen or Cleaning Up Drunk] by Dietmar Dath
  8. Atomic Anna by Rachel Barenbaum
  9. The Expert of Subtle Revisions by Kirsten Menger-Anderson
  10. Sekret Enigmy by Roman Wionczek
Ratings for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny:
RatingsHave you seen/read this work of mathematical fiction? Then click here to enter your own votes on its mathematical content and literary quality or send me comments to post on this Webpage.
Mathematical Content:
1/5 (1 votes)
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Literary Quality:
3/5 (1 votes)
..

Categories:
GenreHistorical Fiction, Science Fiction, Adventure/Espionage,
MotifReal Mathematicians, Time Travel,
Topic
MediumFilms,

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Where are the new works of mathematical fiction?: As you can see from this chronological listing, this database includes many works of mathematical fiction for each year from 1990 to 2025. Strangely, only two are listed for 2026, so far. Either less mathematical fiction is being published than in previous years or I'm just having more trouble finding it. If you know of any works of fiction that should be added to this list, especially recently published ones, please let me know. (Keep in mind that I do not include self-published works or children's fiction that just covers elementary mathematical concepts.) Thanks!

(Maintained by Alex Kasman, College of Charleston)