MOVIE ANALYSIS 2

Black Swan
Black Swan centers on Nina Sayers, a teenage ballerina in New York City with great skill. In her
ballet company’s Swan Lake production, Nina is selected to play the lead part, alternating between the
sensual Black Swan and the naïve White Swan. This movie was directed by Darren Aronof in the year
2010.

Main Characters

Nina Sayers: The protagonist, Nina is a young and dedicated ballerina who strives for
perfection in her performance. She is chosen to play the lead role in Swan Lake and faces
immense pressure, leading her into a dark psychological journey.
Lily: Another dancer in the company, Lily is carefree and more relaxed in her approach
to ballet. She represents a contrast to Nina's rigidity and becomes both a friend and a source of
competition.
Thomas Leroy: The director of the ballet company, Thomas is the one who chooses Nina
for the lead role. He is demanding and manipulative, pushing Nina to explore both her light and
dark sides.
Erica Sayers: Nina's overbearing mother, Erica is a former ballerina who projects her
unfulfilled dreams onto Nina. She is controlling and has a tense relationship with her daughter.
Plot Summary:
A 28-year-old dancer named Nina Sayers is followed in the psychological horror movie
Black Swan as she gets ready for her big Swan Lake role. The director of the New York City
Ballet, Thomas Leroy, is searching for a new actor to portray the dual roles of the black and
white swans. Though not as the black swan, Nina is able to persuade Leroy with her portrayal of
the white swan. But she doesn't get the main part. Nina begins to crumble in the face of strange
hallucinations as time goes on. The audience gives her a standing ovation when she has the
chance to play the part. However, she gradually becomes aware of how strong her hallucinations
have been.

Psychological Horror Experience:

Hallucinations and Delusions:
 Nina experiences vivid and terrifying hallucinations, including seeing her
reflection as the Black Swan and witnessing supernatural occurrences. Her delusions distort her
perception of reality.
Paranoia and Fear of Losing Control:
Nina becomes increasingly paranoid, fearing that her understudy Lily is trying to
take her role and that others are conspiring against her. This paranoia intensifies her anxiety and
stress. In the narrative, Nina Sayers's fight to become the sensual and gloomy Black Swan, her
growing hallucinations, and her unstable mental state define her psychological horror experience.
Nina loses her fragile hold on reality and spirals into lunacy as she gets ready for the lead role in
Swan Lake because she is overwhelmed by the pressure to perform flawlessly.
Her rival Lily is attempting to steal her role, and her mother is attempting to
prevent her from realizing her full potential, according to her growing paranoia and
hallucinations. In an attempt to represent both the White Swan and the Black Swan, Nina
struggles with her identity, fears losing control, and ultimately breaks down. These themes are
explored in the film.
Dissociative Identity Crisis:
Nina finds it difficult to distinguish between her real self and her persona because
of her dual existence as the White and Black Swan. She occasionally loses control of her actions
as a result of this separation.
Self-Harm and Physical Deterioration:
Nina starts to hurt herself physically as a result of her psychological discomfort;
she scratches her back and imagines that her body is changing.
Obsession with Perfection:
She approaches the verge of insanity due to her obsession with performing to the
highest standard. Her tremendous sacrifices, including pushing herself above her physical and
mental boundaries, are a result of this passion.
Isolation and Breakdown of Relationships:
Nina grows more and more distant from everyone around her, including her
mother and friends, as her mental health declines. Her collapse and spiral into lunacy are
exacerbated by her seclusion.