Black Swan (2010) Review in 2025
A psychological thriller about a ballerina's descent into madness, exploring the blurred lines between reality and fantasy.
Family-Friendly Rating
Is this movie suitable for family viewing?
Not recommended for young children due to mature themes and intense content.
CineReview Recommendation
Recommended for fans of psychological thrillers, drama, and horror, but not suitable for young children due to mature themes and intense content.
Spoiler Alert!
Hover to reveal spoiler summary
Nina, a young and ambitious ballerina, lands the lead role in a production of Swan Lake, but her obsession with perfection and her growing paranoia lead to a downward spiral of madness, revealing the dark secrets of her past and the true nature of her relationships.
Review Details
story9.00/10
The story is a masterclass in building tension and suspense, exploring the complexities of Nina's psyche and the blurred lines between reality and fantasy.
acting9.50/10
The acting is superb, with Natalie Portman delivering a tour-de-force performance as Nina, and Mila Kunis providing a memorable turn as Lily.
characters9.50/10
The characters are well-developed and complex, with Nina's character being particularly impressive in her portrayal of a ballerina's descent into madness.
direction9.00/10
Darren Aronofsky's direction is masterful, using a range of techniques to create a sense of unease and tension, and exploring the themes of identity, perfectionism, and the pressure to conform.
cinematography9.50/10
The cinematography is stunning, using a range of techniques to create a sense of unease and tension, and exploring the themes of identity, perfectionism, and the pressure to conform.
Pros and Cons
Pros
The film's use of cinematography, direction, and acting to create a sense of unease and tension, and its exploration of themes such as identity, perfectionism, and the pressure to conform.
Cons
Some viewers may find the film's intense content and mature themes off-putting, and the pacing may be slow for some viewers.
Notable Quotes
"I'm not a swan, I'm a black swan."
"I'm not crazy, I'm just... creative."
"You have to be perfect."
