4. Yes, Aronofsky still loves stalking characters with his camera.

Print out a picture of the back of Natalie Portman’s head, tape it to the centre of your computer screen, and take a Google Street View tour of Manhattan. Presto, you’ve just made your own Black Swan!

5. People not immersed in the world of dance are total morons.

When Nina and Lily have a night on the town, it’s the very first time we encounter civilians who are in no way associated with classical ballet — you know, most people. And most people, it turns out, are unintelligent, fratty date-rapists. No in-betweens!

6. Winona Ryder’s character is kind of just Winona Ryder.

Beth Macintyre is the aging has-been ballerina who doesn’t deal well with being past her prime or with being replaced by younger, more deserving performers. Just sayin’.

7. Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fai — oh shit, what was that?

If a movie is classified as a psychological thriller, audiences already know to be wary of reflective surfaces. So, since this a psychological thriller about ballerinas, viewers should expect to be wary to the point of weariness. Between the dance-studio rehearsals, dressing-room wardrobe changes, and bathroom lock-ins, there’s no shortage of portentous mirrors to trigger Nina’s many psychological jolts. And because Aronofsky isn’t one to half-ass it, you’ll be frightened each and every time.