Every Darren Aronofsky Film Ranked Worst To Best
2. Black Swan
Black Swan is a title that genuinely defies your expectation. As with many of Aronofsky's other films, you aren't entirely sure what you are going to get when you start watching. The premise centres on a young ballerina called Nina as she battles to secure and maintain her role as the Swan Queen in a production of Swan Lake.
The concept sounds like a standard mundane drama based on a dance company, but ultimately it pulls you into a narrative based on paranoia, hallucinations and genuinely frightening moments. It's an tense mystery thriller, and the ballet concept lures you into a false sense of security.
Similar to most Aronofsky films, the leading performance is the biggest highlight, as in this production Natalie Portman completely engrosses you in her transition from sweet and timid young dancer, to a crazed, unstable presence and unreliable narrator.
The sound design, visual cues and stunning use of scary moments make the film utterly intense throughout the entire run-time. Although the narrative often feels confusing and illogical, it perfectly captures the dread and perfectionism of its lead.