Usually people interpret that Nina is the white swan and for her to be the black swan has to do awful things. But is not the case, Nina since the beginning is the black swan, as in the story of swan lake, they say that the black swan disguise herself as the white swan. Nina went to Beth's room and stole her lipstick then used it in the interview she had with the director. She thought Lily was her competition but Lily didn't thought the same of her, Lily was all this time just being nice. If she died or not at the end, It doesn't matter because the white swan persona she put on is dead.
I think the innocence is real, I think she is abused and controlled by her mother and forced to be an innocent child and the movie is about her maturing and freeing herself from the innocence. That’s why the last scene when her and her mother are crying is because she has broken free of her control and when she is bleeding it resembles a period. It’s her maturing. Also I don’t think anything she did was truly awful and most of the awful things were a sort of psychosis due to her battle within herself. Those are just my thoughts however, no interpretation is right or wrong of course.
Interesting perspective! I tend to think Lily and Nina are both innocent in some way, Nina because she is still childish and Lily because she never wanted competition, just wanted to be friends. They both have something of the black saw and the white swan.
I never thought the mother had good intentions. Her relationship with Nina revolves around control. She vicariously lives through her but also doesn't want Nina to gain any independence away from her. I think the mother holds some sort of resentment to her daughter because she had to leave behind her ballet career to raise her. Everything about her home life is odd because she's treated like a child, but of course it's very symbolic of her transformation.
I think the most telling line of the mother's character is when she's "comforting" Nina after the audition and says "you'll PROBABLY get to dance the pas des quatre again" which shows she actually has no confidence in her daughter's ability to play the role. I know Nina is the primary antagonist in this movie against herself, but I'd argue the mother embodies all of her insecurities in the way many dance moms do to their daughters.
@@DirtyRandy100 that’s ridiculous Lily literally looked directly at her mother and how the fuck would her mom be able to shoo Lily away from the door while Nina was sitting there if she wasn’t real?
Natalie said she had to go to therapy after this role. Also, for me, this film is about our shadows (the shadows Carl Gustav Jung talked about), and how they take over us if we don't work on them, if we repress them. We must learn to integrate them so they don't become a monster. Editing to recommend Whiplash; also about a tortured artist, one of my fav movies by Damien Chazelle. P.S.: This channel has become my favorite, I love your reactions!
Definitely agree the best way to think about whether Nina is the White or Black swan is through the unconscious/ shadow. No one is only either the white or black swan. If Nina has only allowed herself to be the white swan, then she’s repressing/ making unconscious in herself all of the Black Swan qualities, even the positive ones - emotion, desire, passion, resolve - to come out in of extreme stress.
Darren Aronofsky is a master of making surreal, extremely anxiety-inducing films. Not all of his films are to my taste, but imo this, "Requiem for a Dream" and "Mother!" are his best movies, which share very similar themes and are all definitely worth watching. Just prepare yourself for stress and extreme discomfort. I've watched a lot of films, but "Mother!" genuinely gave me a panic attack from overstimulation and I had to take a break before finishing it.
I'm so curious and so scared at the same time about watching"Mother!"and...I'm too scared to watch"Requiem for a Dream"...I traumatized myself just by reading the plot on Wikipedia!!😰
When nina and lily arrive at ninas house the mom only talks to nina bcs lily isnt actually there shes just in ninas imagination (ninas mom doesnt look at or interacts with lily in any way in that scene) that was so interesting too
I see someone else already mentioned it, but I'd also recommend Perfect Blue, which Aronofsky obviously drew inspiration from when he made Black Swan, though there are many differences between the two as well, so you don't have to worry about it just being the exact same movie.
The difference between"The Black Swan"and"Perfect Blue"is that"The Black Swan"confused me and fascinated me beyond words 🤩 while"Perfect Blue"only made me uncomfortable and confused. 😵I should probably rewatch"Perfect Blue"after this long,but I can't find the gut to do that...X-S
@@justinpilla5741 USS is really good but i feel like a better intro to the series would be Nosedive or Joan is Awful Edit: we actually have no clue if she’s watched it before either 🤷♂️
The way I see it, or relate to it, is a battle against repression. From the beginning you can see the black swan or her shadow self lurking, when she's in the subway and looks in the window and her reflection is completely in shadow, when she walks by the lady on the street that has her face dressed in all black. It's always there, but her stifling relationship with her mother is so infantilizing that she has only found herself being able to inhabit this forced and frozen purity. She's literally trying to claw her way out, she doesn't know how, like you said she's kind of surrounded by predators and manipulators, she's spiralling, it's dizzying, she's overcorrecting by being rude and lashing out but in doing so is trying to locate a sweet spot between light and shadow, passive and assertive. Ultimately, she feels like she has to find some external push to get there (the first instance of this is taking Beth's things, lipstick, perfume, like talismans ushering her towards a more grown up persona that can help her own her sexuality) and stabs herself to kind of unlock that self and force a transformation? For me it's about repression and self-denial and the damage it does to literally everything mental, physical, sexual and interpersonal.
my favorite reactor reacting to my favorite movie ❤ black swan is amazing, the whole psychedelic / horror thing is so thrilling, highly recommend you to watch “perfect blue”, is the animated movie that inspired this one!
The difference between"The Black Swan"and"Perfect Blue"is that"The Black Swan"confused me and fascinated me beyond words 🤩 while"Perfect Blue"only made me uncomfortable and confused. 😵I should probably rewatch"Perfect Blue"after this long,but I can't find the gut to do that...X-S
@@Nicamon i do think perfect blue is a bit darker and not an easy watch, but i just find so beautiful all the details in that movie and i really appreciate the difference in the endings of both movies
My theory is that Nina had the desire to become the black swan as seen in Lily. Much so that she had that fantasy about her. When we see Nina’s face in lily’s position, I feel like that’s truly her desire to become her. It’s also sort of a mixture of self criticism and perfection I think
This movie is heavily inspired by a movie called Perfect Blue, you should definitely check it out. Im not super into animated movies but i still thought it was fantastic. Its better in the original japanese with english subtitles
The difference between"The Black Swan"and"Perfect Blue"is that"The Black Swan"confused me and fascinated me beyond words 🤩 while"Perfect Blue"only made me uncomfortable and confused. 😵I should probably rewatch"Perfect Blue"after this long,but I can't find the gut to do that...X-S
My understanding of this film was always that Nina is representative of the Ego, her mother being representative of the Superego, and Lily being representative of the Id. Beth (and Nina) appears to be the Jungian shadow, but is also symbolic of Nina's (the Ego's) anxieties concerning perfection and concerning the future (e.g. perfection, even if attained, cannot last forever - but then we know, for Nina, it's more important to attain perfection, even if for a moment, than it is to survive). Thomas is indicative of the Oedipus/Electra complex; a sexualised father figure (I mean, "little princess", come on) who serves as the masculine authority to compliment the feminine authority of Nina's mother. Both Nina's mum and Thomas serve as the "Parent/Judge" to Nina's "Inner Child". However, Thomas here represents the internal drives that push the Ego to strive for more, and Nina's mother (as the Superego) represents the defence mechanisms that attempt to shield the Ego from harm, only to become maladaptive and prevent the Ego from growing. I could legit just keep going on forever about the way this film uses the Freudian and Jungian frameworks of psychoanalysis to explore the way the mind (with its own desires, hopes, fears, morals, etc.) and its agencies are influenced both by internal and external factors, innate and conditioned responses, and how it often ends up in conflict with itself when attempting to protect itself whilst also striving to attain its needs and contending with the expectations and influences of the external world. The movie is a masterpiece, and every single actor completely delivers (but, obviously, especially Natalie Portman). Cheers for the excellent running commentary as always Cass. You're one of the best out there.
Nina and Lily remind me of Buffy and Faith in some ways - their relationship, and the "shadow self" part with their violent "reconciliation". Think of Faith in the hospital dream telling Buffy to "take what you need" after being stabbed vs Nina embodying the black swan after stabbing the imagined Lily. ""What are you gonna do, B, kill me? You become me." - Faith
There's also the theory that the mother was sexually abusing Nina. When Nina has sex with Lily, she puts the stick against the door so the Mom can't get in. In the morning it was moved, but we find out Lily was never there. If Nina was just imagining having sex then why would the director point out the stick was moved? During sex, Lily calls her "sweet girl". The nickname her mom always uses for her. Lots of hints throughout the film. (The mother making her suck cake off of her finger, telling her to take off her clothes, keeping her childlike, etc) The trauma of being sexually abused by her mother may have caused her psychotic break from reality. cdn.media.freedomainradio.com/feed/FDR_1826_black_swan_movie_review.mp3
Brilliant film about artistic obsession and perfectionism. Takes a bunch of style inspiration from Repulsion, another great movie about a fractured psyche.
Note before watching: A woman I know made the mistake of watching this with her conservative mother who is a ballet fan. It was a much more awkward experience than either imagined.
Aronofsky and the actresses did a great job with this one. It was a great portrayal of how psychotically self-destructive an obsession with perfection, and the desire to please others can be. Glad you managed to recover from that jump scare.👍 You looked a little too freaked for a second. 😂
On the note of horror: Seeing as you’re doing Buffy the Vampire Slayer, I recommend Cabin in the Woods. Drew Goddard and Joss Whedon made it. If I recall correctly, you didn’t do it on your old channel.
It is possible to get up close. I've waited 'til the last minute, and wound up with a single seat in the front because one group bought two and another three, and there was a seat left over. Although it has been a while, and that was when you could go up to the box office and buy in person from the venue, rather than having to go through ticketmaster, or have to wait for the venue go through ticketmaster even thought you're standing right there and you and the person on the other side of the window can see the same seat map. But seeing dance in person, whether ballet or modern, is worth it. Although you don't need to be super close for dance, since the emotional expression is via whole body movement rather than subtle facial expressions, but I prefer close-ish so as to appreciate the physicality. Same for figure skating actually, if you want to experience the sheer athleticism of it in addition to the grace.
Omg!! I feel like not enough ppl react to this movie on here, and its one of my favorites. I remember watching it for the first time in like middle school with my mom and covered my eyes (while lowkey looking thru my fingers) during.. that scene loll
Ah yes. The perfect movie for a busy mind like yours that likes to dissect things with a fine tooth comb and figure it out before the reveals. 😂 I haven't even started the video and I already know I am going to enjoy watching your facial expressions go everywhere. Ready. Set. Go.
That would be an excellent reaction, I'm sure. Speaking of watching certain movies when you're younger/older though, I'm glad I watched Thirteen as a teen. I feel like it might be to uncomfortable seeing it for the first time as an adult because I wouldn't identify as strongly with the main character.
I’ve always found it interesting that the director originally conceptualized Black Swan & The Wrestler (which was released before BS) as a single film.
I don’t have theories. But my favorite thing about the this movie is how each character also represents a character from the Swan Lake ballet; Nina as Odette, Lily as Odile, Beth as the Dying Swan (not a swan lake character but in time the dying swan ballet kinda is visually associated with swan lake). And during the Swan Lake performance in the end, Nina’s emotions matches the ballet too. You caught on to the method portion where Nina dies (or not dies) when Odette does. Or Nina cried at the end of Act One cause she was dropped therefore “failed” when it’s the part at the ballet when Odette was forced to become a swan again and lose herself
Interesting fact: Darren Aronofsky was inspired by Perfect Blue - directed by the late Satoshi Kon Darren Aronofsky bought the rights to Perfect Blue, and incorporated parts of Perfect Blue into both Requiem for a Dream and Black Swan. Black Swan is imo a spiritual adaptation of Perfect Blue, and I think all 3 are amazing works of art
Reflecting on this I call Fantasy - that uses Ballet/Dance as opposed to swords/spells or spaceships/aliens. A few surreal moments help this along as the film pulls the viewer onto a path that narrows.
I couldn't dissagree more with not watching certain things until you're old enough to appreciate them. It's an absolute treat that you will only ever have once to experince deep films at drastically different points in your life. Going back with adult eyes for the first time and seeing something you did as a child is remarkable.
While I usually hate the "it's all in their head" trope, for some reason, I really like the fan theory that Lilly doesn't exist. She's Nina's White Swan - a version of Nina who didn't grow up with the abuse she suffered (obsession on its own can be a form of abuse when it's generational like this; but there are themes of abuse throughout). We only think Lilly's acting sinister-maybe because it's Nina's POV. I know it doesn't all add up; but what fan theory does, really? Maybe I just liked the idea that some part of NIna's mind was able to be happy and have fun for fun's sake.
Sometimes we watch movies for a good time, as you are usually watching buffy or doing music reactions but this movie was not the best to have "relaxing time". I don't know who recommend you this movie or you find it in your own time, but this movie is not an easy one to watch. I liked it tho, and am glad you watched it.
One of my fav movies of all time; the fast pacing and anxiety-inducing shots create such a thrilling atmosphere I'd love for you to check out Perfect Blue (1997) next, directed by Satoshi Kon It's considered to be the inspiration for Black Swan, and I can definitely see the similarities
There is a great little TH-cam feminine retrospective on this film that does well in illustrating all of the meaning and symbolism occurring throughout the story and what each character represents to Nina. If I can remember what it is called, I’ll drop it in the reply!
Like others have said, you should definitely watch the direct inspiration for the film: Perfect Blue by anime legend Satoshi Kon. Perfect Blue is even more of a mindfuck and sets the bar insanely high on what smart editing can do. It is not only my favorite anime but on my top 10 list of favorite films ever.
The difference between"The Black Swan"and"Perfect Blue"is that"The Black Swan"confused me and fascinated me beyond words 🤩 while"Perfect Blue"only made me uncomfortable and confused. 😵I should probably rewatch"Perfect Blue"after this long,but I can't find the gut to do that...X-S
Great to see you react to movies, as well as television and music. Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis give standout performances here. Darren Aronofsky definitely is a topnotch director. He did 'The Whale' with Brendan Fraser, which you covered on this channel.
Cassie you need to watch David Lynch’s MULHOLLAND DRIVE ! It’s a fantastic watch if you looking for a thriller about obsession but with a puzzling twist.
For "thriller" and "obsession" the first films to come to my mind are Body Heat (1981) and The Last Seduction (1994), and then follow up with Romancing the Stone and Men in Black to see Kathleen Turner and Linda Fiorentino respectively in very different roles. Although if you want a real wild card there's Pandora's Box (1929, silent), and you'll get to experience Louise Brooks. The caveat for all of these is I haven't seen any reactions to any of them, so you'd be going where no reactor has gone before and there's no telling what kind of views you would get.
As others suggested Requiem for a Dream is good, though really grim. The Machinist (2004) is good too, if I recall correctly. Mulholland Drive is great, but also really trippy and confusing.
You musttt watch " The Wrestler" sorta companion movie to this about losing yourself making art. & another Arnofsky movie. And " The fountain" is life changin^ beautiful movie he does. Also like others said Requiem for a dream must see movie
Missed your movie reactions my weirdo friend Cass. Would you ever consider reuploading your last channel's content like Hitchcock or GOT? I always liked rewatching the movie reactions because of how analytical you are
if a movie leaves me wanting more anything, they did it right (also i’m not an expert in ballet; was just curious about further friends and family reactions to the events bc i’m nosy)
What the HELL. Some of you guys are off on some tremendous artistic Tangents, but the movie is a TRAGEDY. The protagonist was trying to survive being a se X u Al Vi c t Im of her mother and her conditioning. The mother probably captured her both emotionally and physically when VERY YOUNG. All her young life she's been deflecting and transposing the illicitness with her MOTHER. The Turning point was the DRUGS. It interrupted her denial mechanism and created paranoia and delusions. With the Drugs she became aware that her mother was a selfish MONSTER at the conscious level, and because she was no killer she figured out what to do to destroy the MOTHER. She Killed Herself in a gruesome way.
Yes, the little girl room and childlike behavior was a clue. The sex Nina thought she was having with Lily was actually with her mother. It was obvious to me but most people miss it.
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“she went too method” 😭😭😭
Usually people interpret that Nina is the white swan and for her to be the black swan has to do awful things.
But is not the case, Nina since the beginning is the black swan, as in the story of swan lake, they say that the black swan disguise herself as the white swan.
Nina went to Beth's room and stole her lipstick then used it in the interview she had with the director.
She thought Lily was her competition but Lily didn't thought the same of her, Lily was all this time just being nice.
If she died or not at the end, It doesn't matter because the white swan persona she put on is dead.
wow I never noticed that before! That really does help to explain her behavior in the beginning of the movie😳
I think the innocence is real, I think she is abused and controlled by her mother and forced to be an innocent child and the movie is about her maturing and freeing herself from the innocence. That’s why the last scene when her and her mother are crying is because she has broken free of her control and when she is bleeding it resembles a period. It’s her maturing. Also I don’t think anything she did was truly awful and most of the awful things were a sort of psychosis due to her battle within herself. Those are just my thoughts however, no interpretation is right or wrong of course.
Interesting perspective! I tend to think Lily and Nina are both innocent in some way, Nina because she is still childish and Lily because she never wanted competition, just wanted to be friends. They both have something of the black saw and the white swan.
Natalie deserved her Oscar. Amazing movie
I never thought the mother had good intentions. Her relationship with Nina revolves around control. She vicariously lives through her but also doesn't want Nina to gain any independence away from her. I think the mother holds some sort of resentment to her daughter because she had to leave behind her ballet career to raise her. Everything about her home life is odd because she's treated like a child, but of course it's very symbolic of her transformation.
I think the most telling line of the mother's character is when she's "comforting" Nina after the audition and says "you'll PROBABLY get to dance the pas des quatre again" which shows she actually has no confidence in her daughter's ability to play the role. I know Nina is the primary antagonist in this movie against herself, but I'd argue the mother embodies all of her insecurities in the way many dance moms do to their daughters.
The mother was sexually abusing Nina.
The mother is dead. She’s never was really there.
Come on people 🤦♂️
She never interacted with anyone but her daughter. It was all in her head
@@DirtyRandy100 that’s ridiculous Lily literally looked directly at her mother and how the fuck would her mom be able to shoo Lily away from the door while Nina was sitting there if she wasn’t real?
"Wah-Winona Ryder? ... I almost didn't recognize her but the way she screamed at me made me realize." 🤣💀
Natalie said she had to go to therapy after this role. Also, for me, this film is about our shadows (the shadows Carl Gustav Jung talked about), and how they take over us if we don't work on them, if we repress them. We must learn to integrate them so they don't become a monster.
Editing to recommend Whiplash; also about a tortured artist, one of my fav movies by Damien Chazelle.
P.S.: This channel has become my favorite, I love your reactions!
Definitely agree the best way to think about whether Nina is the White or Black swan is through the unconscious/ shadow. No one is only either the white or black swan. If Nina has only allowed herself to be the white swan, then she’s repressing/ making unconscious in herself all of the Black Swan qualities, even the positive ones - emotion, desire, passion, resolve - to come out in of extreme stress.
Darren Aronofsky is a master of making surreal, extremely anxiety-inducing films. Not all of his films are to my taste, but imo this, "Requiem for a Dream" and "Mother!" are his best movies, which share very similar themes and are all definitely worth watching. Just prepare yourself for stress and extreme discomfort. I've watched a lot of films, but "Mother!" genuinely gave me a panic attack from overstimulation and I had to take a break before finishing it.
I'm so curious and so scared at the same time about watching"Mother!"and...I'm too scared to watch"Requiem for a Dream"...I traumatized myself just by reading the plot on Wikipedia!!😰
People tend not to talk about it as much, because of the subject matter, but The Wrestler is a great film as well.
@Nicamon you really should watch it. Just one time. Requiem for a Dream, that is.
When nina and lily arrive at ninas house the mom only talks to nina bcs lily isnt actually there shes just in ninas imagination (ninas mom doesnt look at or interacts with lily in any way in that scene) that was so interesting too
The mom isn’t there either
I see someone else already mentioned it, but I'd also recommend Perfect Blue, which Aronofsky obviously drew inspiration from when he made Black Swan, though there are many differences between the two as well, so you don't have to worry about it just being the exact same movie.
The difference between"The Black Swan"and"Perfect Blue"is that"The Black Swan"confused me and fascinated me beyond words 🤩 while"Perfect Blue"only made me uncomfortable and confused. 😵I should probably rewatch"Perfect Blue"after this long,but I can't find the gut to do that...X-S
i definitely dont interpret ninas mom as caring 😅definitely saw her as keeping nina in arrested development so that she can feel “needed”.
Petition for Cassie to start watching black mirror ✊ every episode is a different story and I think you’d like it! 🙏 I’m beginggg
Yes. The Uss Callister
This would be so good! Start from 1st series
@@justinpilla5741 USS is really good but i feel like a better intro to the series would be Nosedive or Joan is Awful
Edit: we actually have no clue if she’s watched it before either 🤷♂️
I’m so sorry to inform you that I’ve been a Black Mirror fan for years and have seen every episode😭
@@officialcassreacts i would totally watch a tier ranking video Cass!!
The way I see it, or relate to it, is a battle against repression. From the beginning you can see the black swan or her shadow self lurking, when she's in the subway and looks in the window and her reflection is completely in shadow, when she walks by the lady on the street that has her face dressed in all black. It's always there, but her stifling relationship with her mother is so infantilizing that she has only found herself being able to inhabit this forced and frozen purity. She's literally trying to claw her way out, she doesn't know how, like you said she's kind of surrounded by predators and manipulators, she's spiralling, it's dizzying, she's overcorrecting by being rude and lashing out but in doing so is trying to locate a sweet spot between light and shadow, passive and assertive. Ultimately, she feels like she has to find some external push to get there (the first instance of this is taking Beth's things, lipstick, perfume, like talismans ushering her towards a more grown up persona that can help her own her sexuality) and stabs herself to kind of unlock that self and force a transformation? For me it's about repression and self-denial and the damage it does to literally everything mental, physical, sexual and interpersonal.
my favorite reactor reacting to my favorite movie ❤ black swan is amazing, the whole psychedelic / horror thing is so thrilling, highly recommend you to watch “perfect blue”, is the animated movie that inspired this one!
The difference between"The Black Swan"and"Perfect Blue"is that"The Black Swan"confused me and fascinated me beyond words 🤩 while"Perfect Blue"only made me uncomfortable and confused. 😵I should probably rewatch"Perfect Blue"after this long,but I can't find the gut to do that...X-S
@@Nicamon i do think perfect blue is a bit darker and not an easy watch, but i just find so beautiful all the details in that movie and i really appreciate the difference in the endings of both movies
My theory is that Nina had the desire to become the black swan as seen in Lily. Much so that she had that fantasy about her. When we see Nina’s face in lily’s position, I feel like that’s truly her desire to become her. It’s also sort of a mixture of self criticism and perfection I think
This movie is heavily inspired by a movie called Perfect Blue, you should definitely check it out. Im not super into animated movies but i still thought it was fantastic. Its better in the original japanese with english subtitles
The difference between"The Black Swan"and"Perfect Blue"is that"The Black Swan"confused me and fascinated me beyond words 🤩 while"Perfect Blue"only made me uncomfortable and confused. 😵I should probably rewatch"Perfect Blue"after this long,but I can't find the gut to do that...X-S
My understanding of this film was always that Nina is representative of the Ego, her mother being representative of the Superego, and Lily being representative of the Id. Beth (and Nina) appears to be the Jungian shadow, but is also symbolic of Nina's (the Ego's) anxieties concerning perfection and concerning the future (e.g. perfection, even if attained, cannot last forever - but then we know, for Nina, it's more important to attain perfection, even if for a moment, than it is to survive). Thomas is indicative of the Oedipus/Electra complex; a sexualised father figure (I mean, "little princess", come on) who serves as the masculine authority to compliment the feminine authority of Nina's mother. Both Nina's mum and Thomas serve as the "Parent/Judge" to Nina's "Inner Child". However, Thomas here represents the internal drives that push the Ego to strive for more, and Nina's mother (as the Superego) represents the defence mechanisms that attempt to shield the Ego from harm, only to become maladaptive and prevent the Ego from growing.
I could legit just keep going on forever about the way this film uses the Freudian and Jungian frameworks of psychoanalysis to explore the way the mind (with its own desires, hopes, fears, morals, etc.) and its agencies are influenced both by internal and external factors, innate and conditioned responses, and how it often ends up in conflict with itself when attempting to protect itself whilst also striving to attain its needs and contending with the expectations and influences of the external world. The movie is a masterpiece, and every single actor completely delivers (but, obviously, especially Natalie Portman).
Cheers for the excellent running commentary as always Cass. You're one of the best out there.
Wow. How does this comment not have more Likes?
Nina and Lily remind me of Buffy and Faith in some ways - their relationship, and the "shadow self" part with their violent "reconciliation". Think of Faith in the hospital dream telling Buffy to "take what you need" after being stabbed vs Nina embodying the black swan after stabbing the imagined Lily. ""What are you gonna do, B, kill me? You become me." - Faith
There's also the theory that the mother was sexually abusing Nina. When Nina has sex with Lily, she puts the stick against the door so the Mom can't get in. In the morning it was moved, but we find out Lily was never there. If Nina was just imagining having sex then why would the director point out the stick was moved? During sex, Lily calls her "sweet girl". The nickname her mom always uses for her. Lots of hints throughout the film. (The mother making her suck cake off of her finger, telling her to take off her clothes, keeping her childlike, etc) The trauma of being sexually abused by her mother may have caused her psychotic break from reality. cdn.media.freedomainradio.com/feed/FDR_1826_black_swan_movie_review.mp3
YEAH WE'SE SEATED
A movie review. So happy to see these back. 🍿 Miss them.
Brilliant film about artistic obsession and perfectionism. Takes a bunch of style inspiration from Repulsion, another great movie about a fractured psyche.
Brillaint movie and well deserved oscar for Natalie Portman!
Note before watching: A woman I know made the mistake of watching this with her conservative mother who is a ballet fan. It was a much more awkward experience than either imagined.
Aronofsky and the actresses did a great job with this one. It was a great portrayal of how psychotically self-destructive an obsession with perfection, and the desire to please others can be. Glad you managed to recover from that jump scare.👍 You looked a little too freaked for a second. 😂
please watch "requiem for a dream" next, but be prepared, it's literally the most depressing movie ever made.
I'm scared of watching it. I traumatized myself just by reading the plot on Wikipedia.😰
Cass!!! Haven't seen you forever, love this movie, psyched you reacted to this! Watching now!
On the note of horror: Seeing as you’re doing Buffy the Vampire Slayer, I recommend Cabin in the Woods.
Drew Goddard and Joss Whedon made it. If I recall correctly, you didn’t do it on your old channel.
Please, NO
@@PONK029 Why not? It's an awesome movie and it makes sense.
It is possible to get up close. I've waited 'til the last minute, and wound up with a single seat in the front because one group bought two and another three, and there was a seat left over.
Although it has been a while, and that was when you could go up to the box office and buy in person from the venue, rather than having to go through ticketmaster, or have to wait for the venue go through ticketmaster even thought you're standing right there and you and the person on the other side of the window can see the same seat map.
But seeing dance in person, whether ballet or modern, is worth it. Although you don't need to be super close for dance, since the emotional expression is via whole body movement rather than subtle facial expressions, but I prefer close-ish so as to appreciate the physicality. Same for figure skating actually, if you want to experience the sheer athleticism of it in addition to the grace.
Omg!! I feel like not enough ppl react to this movie on here, and its one of my favorites. I remember watching it for the first time in like middle school with my mom and covered my eyes (while lowkey looking thru my fingers) during.. that scene loll
Ohhhhhh I'm so exicted for this reaction!!!
Her mother really was there in the room 😱😂
Ah yes. The perfect movie for a busy mind like yours that likes to dissect things with a fine tooth comb and figure it out before the reveals. 😂
I haven't even started the video and I already know I am going to enjoy watching your facial expressions go everywhere.
Ready. Set. Go.
This is what you get from Darren Aronofsky. Expect this type of movie from him every time.
I also watched this movie too young. So glad to be able to experience again through you! One of the best reactors! Have you seen all of Black Mirror?
I was 22 and I *LOVED IT.* 🤩🤍🩸🖤
you're my fav reactor and this is my fav movie omg i clicked SO fast😭❤️
Ex Machina next?
Or My Cousin Rachel for a little more unreliable character.
7:01 I broke a toe nail like that nearly a decade ago. It never grows back properly. The root is actually split.
This is a great film. ❤
ooooh yay, been excited for this one!
omggg, you need to watch 'Thirteen' it's literally sooo good.
Yea, that's a classic.
No bra, no panties
That would be an excellent reaction, I'm sure. Speaking of watching certain movies when you're younger/older though, I'm glad I watched Thirteen as a teen. I feel like it might be to uncomfortable seeing it for the first time as an adult because I wouldn't identify as strongly with the main character.
The performance of Natalie is just so amazing
I recommend, as another good thriller, The Game(1997), directed by David Fincher. Also by him, The Social Network(2010).
Totally Social Network
I’ve always found it interesting that the director originally conceptualized Black Swan & The Wrestler (which was released before BS) as a single film.
One of my favorite movies! I would love to see your reaction on the series daisy jones and the six!
might I say top 10 movies of all time
I think we saw the Winter Solider in the bar scene.
To me he will forever be Jefferson.💜 #OnceUponaTime #MadHatter
I still genuinely don’t know if anything that Lily did actually happened or if she even ever existed, it’s a sign of great writing.
You never go full Black Swan, Nina should've known! Great reaction to an amazing film.
I don’t have theories. But my favorite thing about the this movie is how each character also represents a character from the Swan Lake ballet; Nina as Odette, Lily as Odile, Beth as the Dying Swan (not a swan lake character but in time the dying swan ballet kinda is visually associated with swan lake).
And during the Swan Lake performance in the end, Nina’s emotions matches the ballet too. You caught on to the method portion where Nina dies (or not dies) when Odette does. Or Nina cried at the end of Act One cause she was dropped therefore “failed” when it’s the part at the ballet when Odette was forced to become a swan again and lose herself
Interesting fact: Darren Aronofsky was inspired by Perfect Blue - directed by the late Satoshi Kon
Darren Aronofsky bought the rights to Perfect Blue, and incorporated parts of Perfect Blue into both Requiem for a Dream and Black Swan. Black Swan is imo a spiritual adaptation of Perfect Blue, and I think all 3 are amazing works of art
One of my favorite Natalie Portman movies.. I dressed up as a black swan ballerina same year movie came out!
Reflecting on this I call Fantasy - that uses Ballet/Dance as opposed to swords/spells or spaceships/aliens. A few surreal moments help this along as the film pulls the viewer onto a path that narrows.
I couldn't dissagree more with not watching certain things until you're old enough to appreciate them. It's an absolute treat that you will only ever have once to experince deep films at drastically different points in your life. Going back with adult eyes for the first time and seeing something you did as a child is remarkable.
While I usually hate the "it's all in their head" trope, for some reason, I really like the fan theory that Lilly doesn't exist. She's Nina's White Swan - a version of Nina who didn't grow up with the abuse she suffered (obsession on its own can be a form of abuse when it's generational like this; but there are themes of abuse throughout). We only think Lilly's acting sinister-maybe because it's Nina's POV. I know it doesn't all add up; but what fan theory does, really? Maybe I just liked the idea that some part of NIna's mind was able to be happy and have fun for fun's sake.
Amazing movie!! Bravo! !,👌👍
Thank you reviewing this film. I remember liking it but also being very confused by it. A total WTF just happened sort of movie.
💯
Sometimes we watch movies for a good time, as you are usually watching buffy or doing music reactions but this movie was not the best to have "relaxing time". I don't know who recommend you this movie or you find it in your own time, but this movie is not an easy one to watch.
I liked it tho, and am glad you watched it.
i love when movies destroy me; it’s been on my personal list for a while👏🏼
Oh definitely check out „mother“ next^^
@@JulsRules88 ooooh nooo 🤣 i love the movie but let her have some time to gather her thoughts 😁
One of my fav movies of all time; the fast pacing and anxiety-inducing shots create such a thrilling atmosphere
I'd love for you to check out Perfect Blue (1997) next, directed by Satoshi Kon
It's considered to be the inspiration for Black Swan, and I can definitely see the similarities
if you haven't already seen "Gone girl" i HIGHLY recommend it!!
There is a great little TH-cam feminine retrospective on this film that does well in illustrating all of the meaning and symbolism occurring throughout the story and what each character represents to Nina. If I can remember what it is called, I’ll drop it in the reply!
“The Madness of Feminine Perfection” by Final Girl Studios
X
I love your intro❤
Like others have said, you should definitely watch the direct inspiration for the film: Perfect Blue by anime legend Satoshi Kon.
Perfect Blue is even more of a mindfuck and sets the bar insanely high on what smart editing can do.
It is not only my favorite anime but on my top 10 list of favorite films ever.
The difference between"The Black Swan"and"Perfect Blue"is that"The Black Swan"confused me and fascinated me beyond words 🤩 while"Perfect Blue"only made me uncomfortable and confused. 😵I should probably rewatch"Perfect Blue"after this long,but I can't find the gut to do that...X-S
@@Nicamon
You should.
After repeated viewing you'll see just how well constructed it is.
Great to see you react to movies, as well as television and music. Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis give standout performances here. Darren Aronofsky definitely is a topnotch director. He did 'The Whale' with Brendan Fraser, which you covered on this channel.
now you need to watch Perfect Blue. the anime that inspired Black Swan!
Cassie you need to watch David Lynch’s MULHOLLAND DRIVE ! It’s a fantastic watch if you looking for a thriller about obsession but with a puzzling twist.
For "thriller" and "obsession" the first films to come to my mind are Body Heat (1981) and The Last Seduction (1994), and then follow up with Romancing the Stone and Men in Black to see Kathleen Turner and Linda Fiorentino respectively in very different roles.
Although if you want a real wild card there's Pandora's Box (1929, silent), and you'll get to experience Louise Brooks. The caveat for all of these is I haven't seen any reactions to any of them, so you'd be going where no reactor has gone before and there's no telling what kind of views you would get.
Yesss, more horror please 😊
As others suggested Requiem for a Dream is good, though really grim. The Machinist (2004) is good too, if I recall correctly. Mulholland Drive is great, but also really trippy and confusing.
Hollywood keeps stealing from anime and I hate, they don't even give credit. watch the anime called "perfect blue" and then you will know
You musttt watch " The Wrestler" sorta companion movie to this about losing yourself making art.
& another Arnofsky movie.
And " The fountain" is life changin^ beautiful movie he does.
Also like others said Requiem for a dream must see movie
Themes of obsession? How about Requiem for a Dream?
I'm curious to watch it but I traumatized myself just by reading the plot on Wikipedia...I don't know if I can stand the actual movie...😰
It's one of those movies I would recommend for everyone to watch exactly one time.
It was "perfect"
U really need to watch “the fountain” by the same director. It is his best work!
The movie is about a child becoming a young woman (that's why the blood)
yeah i know hes a creep but i was mad into the teacher :X i love his actor and i LOVE his role in this...... its so ..................hot. yep.
Cass please watch all of darren aronofsky’s movies one by one !! u are the perfect person for his movies !!
lets get cass to react to charmed!!
(Aug 18, 2024)
Jumping off stage29:46
She stabbed herself. And also I forgot how much I hated them not saying the “s” in Thomas.
It's a French name. You're not supposed to pronounce the S. (And yes,it is uncomfortable to hear for a non-French.😉)
You should definitely watch Whiplash if you havent already, it's also about an obsessive artist and I feel like you'll really like it
Nina's mom was living vicariously through her. She meant well in a small way but it only made nina worse imo
You should check out Suspiria
My stepmother turned off Black Swan when I was watching and enjoying it because of the Natalie and Mia scene and it made me sooooooo mad.
U should react to perfect blue, black swan was inspired by it
Missed your movie reactions my weirdo friend Cass. Would you ever consider reuploading your last channel's content like Hitchcock or GOT? I always liked rewatching the movie reactions because of how analytical you are
The old channel and content was deleted, so that footage is gone unfortunately! We’ve got all of this new content though going forward (:
Girll please react to Perfect Blue!!!💗
This was a sad movie. Mental illness is horrible but good reaction.
You should react to Mother! 2017 from the same Director ❤. You'll love it
Heya, would you do Conan gray album reaction next? My favs of his are either Superache or Kid Krow!
midnight mass please ❤️
Cassie, please do a reaction to the album Back to Black by Amy Winehouse. there’s children crying and begging for
please react to perfect blue it is THEE obsession movie
❤❤❤😊
Why would you want more exposition when it's representing the dance, emotion and imagery of a ballet? Ballets have no dialogue.
if a movie leaves me wanting more anything, they did it right (also i’m not an expert in ballet; was just curious about further friends and family reactions to the events bc i’m nosy)
Will you be reacting to House of The Dragon season 2?
No, not in the plans right now, maybe down the line in the future but TBD, HOTD fandom is rough haha (:
Ah the Natalie Portman/Mila Kunis get it on movie!
Can you react to "Mother!"?
The coloring is SO INPORTANT in this movie. There's a video essay avout it here on TH-cam....you def should watch!
House of the dragon season 2 is here pls watch it!
What the HELL. Some of you guys are off on some tremendous artistic Tangents, but the movie is a TRAGEDY.
The protagonist was trying to survive being a se X u Al Vi c t Im of her mother and her conditioning.
The mother probably captured her both emotionally and physically when VERY YOUNG.
All her young life she's been deflecting and transposing the illicitness with her MOTHER.
The Turning point was the DRUGS. It interrupted her denial mechanism and created paranoia and delusions. With the
Drugs she became aware that her mother was a selfish MONSTER at the conscious level, and because she was
no killer she figured out what to do to destroy the MOTHER. She Killed Herself in a gruesome way.
Yes, the little girl room and childlike behavior was a clue. The sex Nina thought she was having with Lily was actually with her mother. It was obvious to me but most people miss it.