Black Swan

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2:08

Black Swan

R

Released Dec 17, 2010

1h 48m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

85%

Tomatometer

319 Reviews

84%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Nina (Natalie Portman) is a ballerina whose passion for the dance rules every facet of her life. When the company's artistic director decides to replace his prima ballerina for their opening production of "Swan Lake," Nina is his first choice. She has competition in newcomer Lily (Mila Kunis) however. While Nina is perfect for the role of the White Swan, Lily personifies the Black Swan. As rivalry between the two dancers transforms into a twisted friendship, Nina's dark side begins to emerge.

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Critics Consensus

Bracingly intense, passionate, and wildly melodramatic, Black Swan glides on Darren Aronofsky's bold direction -- and a bravura performance from Natalie Portman.

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Julie and Brandy

Autostraddle

What were they trying to say? What happened?... You're all pretending you know what it means.

Aug 31, 2021

Full Review

Phoenix Danger

Autostraddle

The impeccable casting adds an elevated element of reality to a film that already hits so close to home.

Jun 8, 2021

Full Review

Deborah Ross

The Spectator

This is part horror, part thriller, part Freudian nightmare and not a pretty film, as I said, nor an easy watch, but it's so unexpected and out there and passionate it keeps you with it and involved all the way.

Aug 30, 2018

Full Review

Gayle Sequeira

BFI

Doubles, mirror images and unnerving doppelgängers dot this tale of a repressed, rigid ballerina (Natalie Portman), whose artistic director pushes her to lose herself in her art during a production of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake. Instead, she loses her head.

Aug 27, 2025

Full Review

Trace Thurman

Horror Queers Podcast

Darren Aronofsky's beautiful, haunting tale of obsession takes a look at the lengths some will go to achieve perfection. What luck that Portman has achieved just that in her performance.

Rated: 4.5/5

Mar 11, 2025

Full Review

Dan Bayer

Next Best Picture

“Black Swan” stands as proof that films have been elevating horror to the level of art for decades, and when they get it right, the results are exhilarating.

Rated: 9/10

Aug 8, 2024

Full Review

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L E O

I was able to watch the 15th Anniversary IMAX edition of this film, but my critique is about the movie itself. Great film, loved immersing myself and disassociating from the outside world during this movie. It is truly worth watching in theaters if you can find it again, but the plot is great, it's a very accurate depiction of the dance world (I have some experience) and it was a pleasure to see it depicted on the big screen. The cinematography is amazing, the acting superb!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/03/25

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Ryan

Thanks to its haunting score and Natalie Portman's Oscar-winning performance, Black Swan is a near perfect blend of horror and psychological tension.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/22/25

Full Review

V

The Greatest lock in of all time

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/22/25

Full Review

Brandon S

This movie was definitely…BRILLIANT got to see it on Sunday for a imax special and this movie blew me away. The 2010s movies era just had a different feel to it. The illusion scenes were ahead of its time. You can definitely tell smile 2 took some inspiration Ps: Natalie Portman and mila kunis Were GOATED the entire time both were PERFECT

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/25/25

Full Review

Benyam E

Very moving. Felt like it could have gone 30 minutes longer. Ending didn’t feel “final” enough, felt like an Act II climax.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/22/25

Full Review

David L

"Black Swan" is a visceral, delirious, phantasmagoric thriller that blurred the line between obsession and perfection and still haunts you in all the best ways. Darren Aronofsky crafted a wicked, sexy and ultimately devastating character study of a young dancer's all-consuming ambition with an iconic disarming Natalie Portman performance that loses control. This re-release in IMAX was incredible with the 16mm format and sound design was something we all needed.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/22/25

Full Review

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Lily

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Black Swan: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Nina (Natalie Portman) is a ballerina whose passion for the dance rules every facet of her life. When the company's artistic director decides to replace his prima ballerina for their opening production of "Swan Lake," Nina is his first choice. She has competition in newcomer Lily (Mila Kunis) however. While Nina is perfect for the role of the White Swan, Lily personifies the Black Swan. As rivalry between the two dancers transforms into a twisted friendship, Nina's dark side begins to emerge.

Director: Darren Aronofsky
Producer: Mike Medavoy, Arnold Messer, Brian Oliver, Scott Franklin
Screenwriter: Mark Heyman, Andres Heinz, John J. McLaughlin
Distributor: Fox Searchlight
Production Co: Cross Creek Pictures, Dune, Protozoa Pictures, Phoenix Pictures
Rating: R (Language|Disturbing Violent Images|Some Drug Use|Strong Sexual Content)
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 17, 2010, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 25, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $107.0M
Runtime: 1h 48m
Sound Mix: SDDS, DTS, Dolby
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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