Black Swan

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2:08

Black Swan

R

Released Dec 17, 2010

1h 48m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

85%

Tomatometer

320 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

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

Michael Leader

Den of Geek

Throughout, we can spot thematic threads from Aronofsky's body of emotionally raw, character-based studies of obsession and tragedy.

Rated: 4/5

May 7, 2024

Full Review

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M M.

This movie had a lot of twists and turns. It had us guessing between what was reality, what was hallucination, and what each character’s true intentions were.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/04/25

Full Review

Daniel H

Spoiler alert: This movie seemed to be intentionally all over the place with no apparent logical flow. It was just noise - randomness. Don't make the mistake of thinking this is a psychological thriller. Most good psychological thrillers leave some breadcrumbs where, if you're clever, you could figure it out (or at least understand what you missed at the end). That's not the case with Black Swan, because there is nothing to understand. It's not a psychological thriller. I think 'unguided randomness' would be a more accurate way to describe it.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

08/02/25

Full Review

Stephen C

Success in 1 hour and 48 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated R for Language, Disturbing Violent Images, Some Drug Use and Strong Sexual Content!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $107,000,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/20/25

Full Review

Audience Member

great movie i loved it

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/10/25

Full Review

Thomas S

Black Swan — Un conte fantastique sur la quête de perfection et la connaissance de soi. Sur ce que cela signifie de tout sacrifier pour être parfaite, ne serait-ce qu’une seule fois. Même si cela doit être la dernière.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/05/25

Full Review

Benedek S

absolute classic i loved it

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/20/25

Full Review

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Darren Aronofsky

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Natalie Portman

Nina Sayers

Mila Kunis

Lily

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Black Swan: Trailer 1

2:08

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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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