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In this psychological thriller, Natalie Portman plays Nina, a fiercely dedicated ballerina whose obsessive passion for dance consumes her every waking moment. When a new production of "Swan Lake" demands a dual role, Nina's perfectionism is tested by the arrival of Lily (Mila Kunis), who embodies the dark and alluring Black Swan. As their rivalry unfolds, Nina's grip on reality begins to slip, revealing a dark side that threatens to destroy her very existence.

In this psychological thriller, Natalie Portman plays Nina, a fiercely dedicated ballerina whose obsessive passion for dance consumes her every waking moment. When a new production of "Swan Lake" demands a dual role, Nina's perfectionism is tested by the arrival of Lily (Mila Kunis), who embodies the dark and alluring Black Swan. As their rivalry unfolds, Nina's grip on reality begins to slip, revealing a dark side that threatens to destroy her very existence.

Does Black Swan have end credit scenes?

No!

Black Swan does not have end credit scenes.

Actors

Meet the cast of Black Swan and learn about the talented actors who brought the characters to life. Explore their roles and career highlights.


Ratings

Discover how Black Swan is rated on popular platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Explore audience and critic scores to see how this movie ranks among the best.


Metacritic

79

Metascore

8.1

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

85%

TOMATOMETER

review

84%

User Score

IMDb

8.0 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

77

%

User Score

Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of Black Swan with an engaging quiz. Test your memory of the movie’s characters, plot twists, and unforgettable moments.


Black Swan Quiz: Test your knowledge on the psychological thriller 'Black Swan' and its intricate plot twists.

Who is the main character of 'Black Swan'?

Discover the awards and nominations received by Black Swan. Explore the history of Black Swan and its cast and crew.


83rd Academy Awards 2011

Natalie Portman
Win

Actress in a Leading Role

Natalie Portman
Nomination

Cinematography

Darren Aronofsky
Nomination

Directing

Darren Aronofsky
Nomination

Film Editing

Nomination

Best Picture

64th British Academy Film Awards 2011

Nomination

Best Film

Darren Aronofsky
Nomination

Best Direction

Darren Aronofsky
Natalie Portman
Win

Best Actress in a Leading Role

Natalie Portman
Barbara Hershey
Nomination

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

Barbara Hershey
Nomination

Best Original Screenplay

Nomination

Best Cinematography

Nomination

Best Costume Design

Nomination

Best Editing

Nomination

Best Makeup and Hair

Nomination

Best Production Design

Nomination

Best Sound

Nomination

Best Special Visual Effects

16th Critics' Choice Awards 2011

Nomination

Best Picture

Darren Aronofsky
Nomination

Best Director

Darren Aronofsky
Natalie Portman
Win

Best Actress

Natalie Portman
Mila Kunis
Nomination

Best Supporting Actress

Mila Kunis
Nomination

Best Original Screenplay

Nomination

Best Art Direction

Nomination

Best Cinematography

Nomination

Best Costume Design

Nomination

Best Editing

Nomination

Best Makeup

Nomination

Best Score

Nomination

Best Sound

17th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards 2011

Natalie Portman
Win

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role

Natalie Portman
Mila Kunis
Nomination

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role

Mila Kunis
Nomination

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture

63rd Directors Guild of America Awards 2011

Darren Aronofsky
Nomination

Feature Film

Darren Aronofsky

82nd Academy Awards 2010

Nomination

Film Editing

Plot Summary

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Get the full story of Black Swan with a detailed plot summary. Dive into its themes, characters, and the twists that make it a must-watch.


The film begins with Nina Sayers (Natalie Portman), a young ballerina in her twenties, performing the prologue to Swan Lake. This iconic ballet tells the story of a princess cursed to become the White Swan, who can only revert to her original form if a man pledges eternal loyalty to her. Her tragedy deepens as she faces betrayal from the Black Swan, a sorcerer’s daughter, who is transformed to deceive the prince in love with the princess. Ultimately, the princess, consumed by despair over the prince’s infidelity, takes her own life, resigning her fate to remain a swan forever. As Nina dances and envisions the curse being placed upon her character, she awakens in her apartment, realizing it was merely a dream. She tells her mother about the dream, who inattentively brushes her off. Nina shares that Thomas Leroy (Vincent Cassel), the director of her ballet company, has promised her a more significant role this season, to which her mother agrees, recognizing Nina’s longevity in the company.

However, Nina’s excitement turns to anxiety when she discovers that Beth (Winona Ryder), the aging lead dancer, is being sidelined due to her age. This shift signifies an opportunity, as Thomas seeks a fresh face for the lead in a revamped Swan Lake. He announces auditions, tapping some dancers on the shoulder for the principal studio, while others are to consider themselves dismissed. Witnessing Beth’s emotional breakdown in her dressing room, Nina impulsively swipes various items from her before sneaking out.

During auditions, Nina showcases her flawless interpretation of the White Swan, but falters under pressure when asked to embody the Black Swan—only to be distracted by the arrival of Lily (Mila Kunis). Despite her expertise, Thomas critiques her performance, insisting she fails to convey the Black Swan’s sensuality. Returning home defeated, Nina’s emotional turmoil escalates as her mother downplays her feelings. The next day, Nina boldly requests the Black Swan role from Thomas but learns he has chosen another dancer, Veronica (Ksenia Soto). A moment of passion unexpectedly unfolds when Thomas kisses her, leaving Nina confused and distressed, which impresses Thomas rather than diminishing her value.

Following the announcement of her new role, Nina faces a maelstrom of conflicting emotions and visions, revealing a darker part of herself. Overwhelmed by the pressures of her performance, she encounters Lily in increasingly uncomfortable situations, adding layers of jealousy and competition to their relationship. Her frustration only deepens when she witnesses Beth’s tragic accident, heightening her fear of aging and inadequacy in her craft.

As the story unfolds, Nina’s psyche becomes increasingly unstable. She battles with her mother, who tries to safeguard her fragile mental state, but ultimately, Nina’s fiercely competitive spirit drives her to an intense confrontation with Lily. The tensions culminate in an explosive fight, where Nina fatally stabs Lily—deluded into believing she’s still in control.

This harrowing act propels Nina into a remarkable performance as the Black Swan, where she fully realizes her transformation, earning the standing ovation she desperately needed. Yet, her triumph is bittersweet, marred by the bloodshed and turmoil she’s unwittingly unleashed within herself. In her final act, she embodies the tragic resolution of the White Swan, surrendering to the very perfection she sought, uttering the fateful words, > “I was perfect,” just moments before slipping into oblivion amidst the applause.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Keywords

Discover the keywords that describe the themes and topics of the movie. Explore the keywords that define the essence of the film.


ballerinaballetfemale protagonistmental illnessdance auditionfearself mutilationmother daughter relationshiplesbian sexmasturbationschizophreniasex sceneloss of realityseeking perfectionlesbian fantasyambiguous endingobsessionfemale masturbationschizophrenicman gropes a womanwoman in a bathtubunreliable narratorpink pantiesbreast massagedancerforced kissauditionself destructivenessinsanityskin rippingperfectionistswan lakeparanoiasexual repressioncunnilinguslesbian cunnilinguseating disorderfemale removes her clothespanties pulled downnew york citybulimiaclipping fingernailscorpsemusic boxtwo word titlecasting couchself harmcompulsionmaturitymoving statue

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