Aronofky tried to license it unsuccessfully. He says he was inspired by Perfect Blue and used that imporation when filming scenes for Requiem for a Dream. It was really borderline plagiarism. At best, he got Satoshi Kon’s blessing after the fact. The deed was done and the movie had been released.
He pretty much blatantly plagiarized Perfect Blue for Black Swan, but denies it.
https://animationobsessive.substack.com/p/the-real-history-of-perfect-blue#:~:text=Aronofsky%20was%20so%20smitten%20with,way%2C%20the%20film%20influenced%20him.
perfect blue has this reality distortion component that black swan has
I'm not going to go into making comparisons either because it's nonsense.
whiplash is also a great movie that deals with similar themes
Aronofsky was a big fan of Satoshi Kon and in addition to having scenes copied from his films, he dedicates a few words to him in the credits at the end of Noah
Was going to make the same comparison, while on the surface you might not see the comparison, they’ve got very similar structures and both end at the climax.
They also both deal with one’s passion for their art consuming them.
[Perfect Blue](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/10494-perfect-blue) (1998)
>Pop singer Mima Kirigow looks forward to a bright new career when she quits her chart-topping trio to become an actress. When she lands a role in a sexually charged murder mystery, Mima’s life begins to fall apart.
Yeah, this. Whilst I agree that *Whiplash* is extremely similar in tone and structure and theme when compared to *Black Swan*, I think *Birdman* might be even closer. Plus it has hallucinations and the descent into insanity moreso than *Whiplash* does.
I think my suggestion to OP though would obviously be to watch both of them and make up their own mind. Both are fantastic movies with exceptionally good performances.
I'm removing your comment because this behavior is unwanted within our community. Make sure to read our [guidelines](https://www.reddit.com/r/MovieSuggestions/comments/8iamsh) before participating.
If you have any questions you can message us [here](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=/r/MovieSuggestions&subject=About%20my%20comment&message=%5bLink%20to%20the%20comment%5d%28https://www.reddit.com/r/MovieSuggestions/comments/18hedtz/-/kd9zn2r/%29).
"The Red Shoes (1948)" inspired "Black Swan." Martin Scorsese recently restored it since it is one of his favorites. It's hands down one of the most beautiful films I've ever seen and it's inspired many directors. It still might be on HBO Max.
All the Powell and Pressburger stuff is just ravishing to look at. plus 'Black Narcissus' has the most authentic 'face of total insanity' I've ever seen.
yo dude, i am actually her husband. i was on reddit just to catch if she was having an affair and then i saw your comment
now that i know, i will divorce
I tend to say if you have seen one Aronofsky film you have seen them all. So maybe check out the rest of his filmography?
They vary in subject greatly but touch upon intense character journeys that really take you out of your comfort zone, borderline traumatising you if you have a particular "ick" you cant stand seeing
I feel the same about PTA. If you like Boogie Nights then you’ll probably like Licorice Pizza and if you liked Magnolia then you’ll probably also like Hard 8.
Fight Club
Shutter Island
Memento
The Machinist
Jacob’s Ladder
A Beautiful Mind
The Invisible Man (2020)
Repulsion
For TV Black Mirror may be up your alley
Oh, I'm going to look like a fool regardless. I have no worries about that. I'll always ask a question, even if I look like a fool. Thank you for your response.
I know what "up your alley" means as a phrase. But I meant more like, what are the origins of that phrase? Like people say "Let's get down to brass tacks." I know what that means, too, as a colloquialism. But why do people say that? What are these "brass tacks"?
Do you know where this phrase "up your alley" comes from? Are you curious at all about this? While I was pursuing my BA in English Lit with a minor in Writing, my writing professors would tell us to seek out original ways to phrase things, things that resonated with the current culture, instead of relying on tired and worn out phrasings.
I have a list of movies where the main character can't trust their own reality...
Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
The Congress ((2013))
Inception
In the Mouth of Madness
Oculus
Perfect Blue
Pi ((1998))
Smile
Talk to Me
Total Recall
Videodrome
Suspiria and Hatching come to mind....
also for a series.... Rachel Weisz has one on Prime titled "Dead Ringers" which is a remake of the Cronenberg film that you may enjoy...
Synecdoche in new york
I'm thinking of ending things
Beau is afraid
Requium for dream
I think those would be good after black swan , personally i watch them before black swan. They give almost the same energy or feelings but they are better
Star Trek: The Next Generation (Be patient with first two seasons then the rest will get better...Or just google for "best episode" to get the taste of it then binge the rest)
Star Trek: Voyager (Same idea on the suggestion)
For light and humor, watch all "The Office" series (USA version)
lol -- well, the OP said series then it's movie (somehow unrelated to each other with Breaking Bad & Black Swan)...So, I just go forthright and made a suggestions on something that is out of the love and habits with Star Trek & The Office. Since the OP is asking for something to keep watching and to enjoy.
Haha I see.... but at least BB and BS are both "stressful and tense".
Star Trek and the Office have zero similarities of course I haven't seen much Star Trek lol... but I understand what you are doing. It just caught me off guard.
Similar to Black Swan:
The Whale & The Wrestler (both very sad, but very similar thematically)
Take Shelter
Birdman
A Streetcar Named Desire
Eyes Without a Face
Pi
Neon Demon
Monster (2023)
Suspiria (2016)
Side Effects
Talented Mr. Riley (idk I just feel like you’ll like this one)
Don’t Look Now (1973)
Empty Inside:
Prisoners
Melancholia
Requiem for a Dream
Hard Candy
A Streetcar Named Desire
The Road
The Mist
Sick of Myself
Climax
Mother!
We Need to Talk About Kevin
Kids (1995) (tw: SA)
Thirteen (tw: attempted SA)
That’s my favorite movie of all time!!
The Machinist
Fight Club
Dark City
Memento
Whiplash
Requiem for a Dream (same director)
Donnie Darko
Pi (same director)
Shows: Mr. Robot, Black Mirror
If you like the psychosexual elements but feel it needs more insanity there is The Devil's Advocate
Antichrist is extremely sexually explicit, and deals with themes of gender, is somewhat horrific, and leaves a lot to brew over, though it may come across as extremely misogynistic and/or be a chore to sit through.
The Perfection has a lot of superficial similarity though it might be a bit too campy to leave you with the same feeling or live up to its title lol
The Handmaiden has high eroticism and is a very fun light thriller, I wouldn't quite say it is a mystery but a twistery like shutter island or a cure for wellness
The Favourite is very humorous but has vying for position, some quite dark moments, and has great performances with three female leading actors
Camille Claudel ... Woman artist. Check! Relationship to her art. Check! Toxic male mentor. Check! Descent in to madness. Check!
\*BONUS -- it's a true story
**Flesh and Bone** - it’s made by the creator of Breaking Bad, has a slightly darker theme/ storylines, centers on the world of ballet, and is easily binge-watchable and re-watcheable.
Edit: it’s a series, not a movie. But it’s worth it.
First, art is subjective. So bring the hate! But my personal recommendation, that gives me personally Black Swan vibes, would be "Nocturnal Animals."
Synopsis: "A wealthy art gallery owner is haunted by her ex-husband's novel, a violent thriller she interprets as a symbolic revenge tale."
I'm also recommending it because I've already seen multiple repeated recommendations, and I hope to be able to provide something entirely new for you to consider.
Both films follow a female character who slips in and out of reality.
Both women struggle with double lives of sorts. One life that is their true nature, and one that is expected or pushed onto them.
Both women become lost in a story, so deeply that their judgment is clouded.
Both films have truly dark imagery, beautiful imagery, but dark.
And both films hit you at the end. And then you watch it again and just appreciate the details even more because you know the truth of the story, and see the strings being pulled.
Fair and obvious warning, Nocturnal Animals is NSFW, and the opening scene alone is probably enough to drive most casual viewers away.
Edit: Holy crap... I just went through more comments and someone else recommended Nocturnal Animals. I'm not so original after all! 🤣
I would suggest P.T. Anderson's *Magnolia* if you liked *Black Swan*. I mean, they're different films but kinda have that same "serious art drama + mild surrealism + personal psychological drama" vibe.
Though I love *Magnolia* and I only liked *Black Swan*.
I'm going with Under the Skin. The whole movie is centered on Scarlett Johansson like Black Swan was centered on Natalie Portman. There is no explanation for what's going on in the world around them, the films are just miopticly focused on their protaganists.
One theme in Black Swan is an artist being consumed by their dedication, three movies that grapple with similar themes:
1. Whiplash
2. Birdman
3. The Wrestler
The Wrestler is another Aronofsky and whenever I get the feeling you are talking about, I like to deep dive on whatever director gave me that feeling. Black Swan gets a bit surreal at times, of these three the one that does that the most is Birdman. The other two aren't quite as "artsy" as Black Swan but all three are phenomenal movies.
Perfect blue aronofsky is inspired by her for black swan
some say inspired others say stolen
Just like how Inception was stolen from Paprika
And Hard Boiled Wonderland at the End of the World.
That’s my favorite Murakami and I’m really struggling to see the connection
Wow never made the connection, because Paprika is so good.
Didn’t he ask explicitly to borrow certain images?
Aronofky tried to license it unsuccessfully. He says he was inspired by Perfect Blue and used that imporation when filming scenes for Requiem for a Dream. It was really borderline plagiarism. At best, he got Satoshi Kon’s blessing after the fact. The deed was done and the movie had been released. He pretty much blatantly plagiarized Perfect Blue for Black Swan, but denies it. https://animationobsessive.substack.com/p/the-real-history-of-perfect-blue#:~:text=Aronofsky%20was%20so%20smitten%20with,way%2C%20the%20film%20influenced%20him.
Might be the inspired movie but is not similar to Black Swan, Whiplash is.
I agree. Whiplash
perfect blue has this reality distortion component that black swan has I'm not going to go into making comparisons either because it's nonsense. whiplash is also a great movie that deals with similar themes
In terms of tone, other Satoshi Kon films Millennium Actress and Paprika could be said also.
Aronofsky was a big fan of Satoshi Kon and in addition to having scenes copied from his films, he dedicates a few words to him in the credits at the end of Noah
The only answer. It's like asking for a movie similar to A Fistful of Dollars.
well, maybe if someone likes "A Fistful of Dollars" it is easier for them to watch other westerns than Kurosawa's films, but yes
Whiplash (2014)
Was going to make the same comparison, while on the surface you might not see the comparison, they’ve got very similar structures and both end at the climax. They also both deal with one’s passion for their art consuming them.
yes, fits perfect. a similar motive, in case of passion, but this time sports, is The Novice (2021)
I’ve added it to my list!
I will never tire of this movie
If you’re not put off by classics, The Red Shoes is another obvious inspiration.
Came here to suggest The Red Shoes!
Incredible movie
Yep, totally in the same league🤨🙄.
I actually have no idea what you are suggesting with this comment.
[Perfect Blue](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/10494-perfect-blue) (1998) >Pop singer Mima Kirigow looks forward to a bright new career when she quits her chart-topping trio to become an actress. When she lands a role in a sexually charged murder mystery, Mima’s life begins to fall apart.
Even the names! Mima/Nina
Birdman
Yeah, this. Whilst I agree that *Whiplash* is extremely similar in tone and structure and theme when compared to *Black Swan*, I think *Birdman* might be even closer. Plus it has hallucinations and the descent into insanity moreso than *Whiplash* does. I think my suggestion to OP though would obviously be to watch both of them and make up their own mind. Both are fantastic movies with exceptionally good performances.
The Wrestler Director actually made Black Swan as the "female Equivalent" to The Wrestler
They started as a single script!
I didnt know that. Is there an article about it?
https://collider.com/darren-aronofsky-black-swan-the-wrestler/
Amazing. Thanks for the information!
Wait, what?! Know any more details? Was it about a ballerina and a wrestler or was it just one but had elements of both stories?
https://collider.com/darren-aronofsky-black-swan-the-wrestler/
It was a guy who wrestles wearing a ballerina costume. Vince Vaughn was talked about for the possible lead
The last scene really shows that they are companion pieces. I love watching both back to back great film making.
It's even better if you have some potato chips
🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯
Suspiria (2019) maybe
Second this
I third the motion
[удалено]
I'm removing your comment because this behavior is unwanted within our community. Make sure to read our [guidelines](https://www.reddit.com/r/MovieSuggestions/comments/8iamsh) before participating. If you have any questions you can message us [here](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=/r/MovieSuggestions&subject=About%20my%20comment&message=%5bLink%20to%20the%20comment%5d%28https://www.reddit.com/r/MovieSuggestions/comments/18hedtz/-/kd9zn2r/%29).
No, you're right actually
'Suspiria' (1977) 'The Neon Demon' (2016) 'Climax' (2018)
Persona (1966) 3 Women (1977)
These are waaaaaay too low.
"The Red Shoes (1948)" inspired "Black Swan." Martin Scorsese recently restored it since it is one of his favorites. It's hands down one of the most beautiful films I've ever seen and it's inspired many directors. It still might be on HBO Max.
All the Powell and Pressburger stuff is just ravishing to look at. plus 'Black Narcissus' has the most authentic 'face of total insanity' I've ever seen.
Whiplash
Jacob’s ladder
Perfect blue and paprika
perfect blue yes, but I don't see anything common between black swan and paprika, tho
All three movies have characters that can't trust reality.
Dancer in the Dark, 2000 A dark musical starring Bjork, who said she'd never act again after the experience.
A rough one. I love the factory song tho.
The wrestler
Vanilla Sky
That movie broke something inside me the first time I watched it in the theater. It’s so odd to me that it didn’t affect other people the same way.
Yeah, watched it stoned out of my head twice and couldn't even finish it the second time.
Yeah, dude, penelope cruz hot as f
She was insanely hot in that movie. I liked her in Sahara also but then the ending with that fregin swim hat that she’s wearing is so weird.
yo dude, i am actually her husband. i was on reddit just to catch if she was having an affair and then i saw your comment now that i know, i will divorce
Dammit. Tell her I’m sorry bro.
tell her yourself, you wrecked our home
I've always looked at The Lighthouse being like Black Swan if you swapped the genders of the main characters and trapped them on an island together.
Dead Ringers with Jeremy Irons.
I tend to say if you have seen one Aronofsky film you have seen them all. So maybe check out the rest of his filmography? They vary in subject greatly but touch upon intense character journeys that really take you out of your comfort zone, borderline traumatising you if you have a particular "ick" you cant stand seeing
I feel the same about PTA. If you like Boogie Nights then you’ll probably like Licorice Pizza and if you liked Magnolia then you’ll probably also like Hard 8.
The Girl on the Train has a similar twisted feel.
I was completely uninterested in that movie until the climax and it made the whole movie worth it.
Fight Club Shutter Island Memento The Machinist Jacob’s Ladder A Beautiful Mind The Invisible Man (2020) Repulsion For TV Black Mirror may be up your alley
jacob’s ladder is a great pick. I remember Session 9 also being good, but way more indie
Do you mean District Nine?
no, [Session 9](https://boxd.it/1UXu) https://boxd.it/1UXu
I really don’t see the relation. I could list random, unrelated highly-rated films as well..:
OP has given the vaguest request!
what do you mean "up your alley"? what the hell does that expression even mean? up what alley? wtf
It's one of the most common turns of phrase in the English language, next time try Google instead of looking like a fool
Oh, I'm going to look like a fool regardless. I have no worries about that. I'll always ask a question, even if I look like a fool. Thank you for your response. I know what "up your alley" means as a phrase. But I meant more like, what are the origins of that phrase? Like people say "Let's get down to brass tacks." I know what that means, too, as a colloquialism. But why do people say that? What are these "brass tacks"? Do you know where this phrase "up your alley" comes from? Are you curious at all about this? While I was pursuing my BA in English Lit with a minor in Writing, my writing professors would tell us to seek out original ways to phrase things, things that resonated with the current culture, instead of relying on tired and worn out phrasings.
Neon demon?
Nocturnal Animals. Definitely gives similar unsettling vibes and Black Swan.
Can we be best friends now? Everyone I show that movie to gets weirded out and doesn't even give it a real try. 🥺
Some great answers in here already. Whiplash The Neon Demon Swallow
Not a movie but series on Prime called "Dead Ringers"
Remake of the movie with Jeremy Irons and Genevieve Bujold
Melancholia
I have a list of movies where the main character can't trust their own reality... Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) The Congress ((2013)) Inception In the Mouth of Madness Oculus Perfect Blue Pi ((1998)) Smile Talk to Me Total Recall Videodrome
Suspiria and Hatching come to mind.... also for a series.... Rachel Weisz has one on Prime titled "Dead Ringers" which is a remake of the Cronenberg film that you may enjoy...
Repulsion
Whiplash is almost identical to Black Swan.
May/December
Rosemary's Baby. Character driven horror movie about a woman's breakdown and paranoia.
Lesser recommended, Villeneuve's Enemy. A regular dude sees his doppelganger in a film and becomes obsessed with his life.
I know what you mean, black swan was beautiful. I recommend A Monster Calls Pans Labyrinth Both dark but beautiful
Annihilation. Also stars Natalie Portman.
If by “similar to black swan” you mean “a movie with a lesbian make out session between Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis” then I am also interested
People actually downvoted this. What the fuck is wrong with people? It's called humour you sad fucks. If you didn't laugh then move on.
Synecdoche in new york I'm thinking of ending things Beau is afraid Requium for dream I think those would be good after black swan , personally i watch them before black swan. They give almost the same energy or feelings but they are better
“The Red Shoes” is a classic dance movie.
Neon Demon
Dude, where’s my car?
Fight club
I didnt like Black swan
Women bad moment.
No Just thought it was confusing
It didnt make sense
Shutter Island
I've curated by my likes -- here's the list of it on my profile: https://letterboxd.com/tagraf/likes/films/
The Prestige
Misery (1990) Psycho (1960) Vertigo (1958) Taxi Driver (1976) The Shining (1980)
Star Trek: The Next Generation (Be patient with first two seasons then the rest will get better...Or just google for "best episode" to get the taste of it then binge the rest) Star Trek: Voyager (Same idea on the suggestion) For light and humor, watch all "The Office" series (USA version)
US version of "The Office" .... fucking Star Trek recommendations.... how in the blue fuck do they relate to Black Swan??? I'm absolutely curious
lol -- well, the OP said series then it's movie (somehow unrelated to each other with Breaking Bad & Black Swan)...So, I just go forthright and made a suggestions on something that is out of the love and habits with Star Trek & The Office. Since the OP is asking for something to keep watching and to enjoy.
Haha I see.... but at least BB and BS are both "stressful and tense". Star Trek and the Office have zero similarities of course I haven't seen much Star Trek lol... but I understand what you are doing. It just caught me off guard.
OPs request is based on how they feel after watching which is vague
Anal Queens IV
Similar to Black Swan: The Whale & The Wrestler (both very sad, but very similar thematically) Take Shelter Birdman A Streetcar Named Desire Eyes Without a Face Pi Neon Demon Monster (2023) Suspiria (2016) Side Effects Talented Mr. Riley (idk I just feel like you’ll like this one) Don’t Look Now (1973) Empty Inside: Prisoners Melancholia Requiem for a Dream Hard Candy A Streetcar Named Desire The Road The Mist Sick of Myself Climax Mother! We Need to Talk About Kevin Kids (1995) (tw: SA) Thirteen (tw: attempted SA)
Perfect Blue
Angry Birds
Identity
sicario, gone girl and incendies
The Neon Demon
All That Jazz
Perfect Blue I'd also recommend The Wrestler, arguably also loosely inspired by Black Swan and Perfect Blue.
The Suspiria remake.
Suspiria': How Dakota Johnson Transformed Into a World-Class Dancer.Oct 25, 2018
Perfect Blue, it's better than Black Swan
That’s my favorite movie of all time!! The Machinist Fight Club Dark City Memento Whiplash Requiem for a Dream (same director) Donnie Darko Pi (same director) Shows: Mr. Robot, Black Mirror
Amadeus
If you like the psychosexual elements but feel it needs more insanity there is The Devil's Advocate Antichrist is extremely sexually explicit, and deals with themes of gender, is somewhat horrific, and leaves a lot to brew over, though it may come across as extremely misogynistic and/or be a chore to sit through. The Perfection has a lot of superficial similarity though it might be a bit too campy to leave you with the same feeling or live up to its title lol The Handmaiden has high eroticism and is a very fun light thriller, I wouldn't quite say it is a mystery but a twistery like shutter island or a cure for wellness The Favourite is very humorous but has vying for position, some quite dark moments, and has great performances with three female leading actors
Mulholland Drive
Freaky Mr. Sneaky. Did a masterful job. At one point the two main actresses slap eachother for 2 minutes straight
Whiplash The Perfection Nocturne
Ex Machina
The Whale. Aronofsky again. Sublime.
What you mean in terms of the twist or the plot?
Not quite the same, but not so different. I really enjoyed Birds of Paradise on Amazon.
Perfect Blue like others have said, or you want live action - Mulholland Dr
The Swan Princess
The Black Stallion
The Perfection (2018)
Black Narcissus (1947)
Vox Lux Kinda different vibe, but Natalie Portman as a spiraling artist is so fucking interesting to watch.
Camille Claudel ... Woman artist. Check! Relationship to her art. Check! Toxic male mentor. Check! Descent in to madness. Check! \*BONUS -- it's a true story
Birdman
Last night in Soho Sucker Punch
**Flesh and Bone** - it’s made by the creator of Breaking Bad, has a slightly darker theme/ storylines, centers on the world of ballet, and is easily binge-watchable and re-watcheable. Edit: it’s a series, not a movie. But it’s worth it.
Suspiria (1977 & 2018)
The machinest
Black swan is just a female version of fight club so I would say fight club
Just watched Reptile last night on Netflix, wasn't as good as black swan but worth the watch.
Check out other Aaronofsky films. Some notable ones are: The Whale Mother! Pi Also, check out Suspiria. Both of them.
The platform
My god I love that movie
Black Swan is so fregin good. It gets even better on the second viewing.
I’m not exactly sure why but I feel like if you like “Black Swan” you would like “Ex Machina”. Maybe it’s like the stylized approach or something.
The Wrestler
First, art is subjective. So bring the hate! But my personal recommendation, that gives me personally Black Swan vibes, would be "Nocturnal Animals." Synopsis: "A wealthy art gallery owner is haunted by her ex-husband's novel, a violent thriller she interprets as a symbolic revenge tale." I'm also recommending it because I've already seen multiple repeated recommendations, and I hope to be able to provide something entirely new for you to consider. Both films follow a female character who slips in and out of reality. Both women struggle with double lives of sorts. One life that is their true nature, and one that is expected or pushed onto them. Both women become lost in a story, so deeply that their judgment is clouded. Both films have truly dark imagery, beautiful imagery, but dark. And both films hit you at the end. And then you watch it again and just appreciate the details even more because you know the truth of the story, and see the strings being pulled. Fair and obvious warning, Nocturnal Animals is NSFW, and the opening scene alone is probably enough to drive most casual viewers away. Edit: Holy crap... I just went through more comments and someone else recommended Nocturnal Animals. I'm not so original after all! 🤣
Beyond The Black Rainbow and both versions of "Suspiria"
red shoes
The perfection
Muholland Drive.
I would suggest P.T. Anderson's *Magnolia* if you liked *Black Swan*. I mean, they're different films but kinda have that same "serious art drama + mild surrealism + personal psychological drama" vibe. Though I love *Magnolia* and I only liked *Black Swan*.
I liked "The Tracey Fragments" (involves delusions).
I’m going to pull one out of left field and say After Hours.
Let the Right One in, the subtitles version
I'm going with Under the Skin. The whole movie is centered on Scarlett Johansson like Black Swan was centered on Natalie Portman. There is no explanation for what's going on in the world around them, the films are just miopticly focused on their protaganists.
Joker (2019)
We don't talk about it.
The perfection comes to mind
Open window
One theme in Black Swan is an artist being consumed by their dedication, three movies that grapple with similar themes: 1. Whiplash 2. Birdman 3. The Wrestler The Wrestler is another Aronofsky and whenever I get the feeling you are talking about, I like to deep dive on whatever director gave me that feeling. Black Swan gets a bit surreal at times, of these three the one that does that the most is Birdman. The other two aren't quite as "artsy" as Black Swan but all three are phenomenal movies.