Highly specific observations on Natalie Portman’s ballet-themed psychological thriller.

By Danielle Herman.

Black Swan (2010) is a suspenseful psychological drama set in the high-stakes world of New York ballet. Nina (Natalie Portman) is a shy but determined dancer playing the lead role in Swan Lake. She’s a natural fit as the White Swan, but the part also requires her to play the Black Swan, which causes some trouble.

1. Ready, set, squirm!

The queasiness occurs early and often. Ripped nails, inhuman injuries, drunk Winona Ryder — there’s a lot of unsettling imagery, giving your head many chances to acquaint itself with your date’s shoulder.

2. Natalie Portman haters, prepare to be silenced.

A lot of people get up in arms about Natalie Portman. This small but dedicated army accuses the actress of being boring or bland or uninteresting. But guess what? None of those synonyms apply here. No matter what vivid insanity Aronofsky has going on around Portman, she still manages to command your attention.  

3. The sex is insane (and not in a good way).

Nina is a tightly wound woman in a tightly wound movie, so you’d hope she could at least blow off some steam in the bedroom. But alas, her situation only worsens when she gets laid. The sex scene here isn’t as disturbing as the ones in, say, Antichrist or Irreversible, but it’s still probably enough to dissuade you from sleeping with ballerinas, at least for a while.