Requiem for a Dream (Director's Cut) (2000) Was *DARK* - First Time Watching - Movie Reaction/Review 

Ellen Burstyn won an Oscar, a Tony, two Emmys and has been co-president (along with Al Pacino) of The Actors Studio for 24 years. She is a fearless actor as evidenced here. She won the Independent Spirit Award for this, and she should have won the Oscar. At 91 she is still working and still giving fearless performances.

Tyrone lost his freedom Harry lost his arm Sara lost her mind And Marion lost her soul

This movie disturbed me more than any horror show.

I’ve seen multiple lists of “movies people watch once and never again,” and this one is _always_ Number One. ☝️

this film honestly brings about a feeling of despair in a way that no other film does quite. it is stunning. it is dazzling. it is important. the last about 20-30 minutes is almost unbearable. despair. the performances are all brilliant. omg. just hearing that music is almost more than I can take. despair once again. genius. you will not forget this film. good luck.

This movie will stick with you forever

Ellen Burstyn deserved the Oscar for this. Super dark but incredibly well done. Trainspotting would be another must-see on the topic of addiction.

A cautionary tale of addiction if ever there was one. Another like that is The Basketball Diaries.

This movie works for me because it's very accurate in portraying the details of what interaction with an addict is like. For example, the mom plays along with her son pawning the tv and she pays to get it back. In this way she is giving him money for his drugs but she can pretend she's not. In her mind she's just paying to get her tv back. I've seen this exact dynamic play out in real life. It's really sad because the parent is desperate to 'help' their son or daughter but giving money to an addict is making things worse, not helping them.

17:30. Her scene is slightly out of frame. That's because during her monologue the cinematographer was moved to tears by the actress's performance, causing the eyepiece to fog up and he accidentally let the camera slip slightly. That's the take used in the final cut.

Oh dear God. I'm not going to watch this again but I hope y'all enjoy this. Ellen Burnstyn gives one of the best performances of her long career. Good luck and poor Cam!

Jennifer Connelly should have been nominated for an Oscar for this.

Every parent should have their teenager watch this

Yep, this flick is rough af. You guys were spot on in your understanding and reaction to this. It is a beautifully shot work of art. I always thought that it would be impactful for high school kids to see this. The core issue, though, goes way deeper than just street drugs. It hits home for a much broader swath of society. Thanks, gentlemen, for sharing this reaction. I appreciate y’all’s content. 👊

The book is even more horrific if you can believe it. The abuse and torture Sara endures at the hospital is unbearable.

Hitting "rock bottom": The point at which one's circumstances deteriorate faster than the ability to lower one's standards.

One of the things I love about you guys is that you pronounce everything properly. It's rare.

Now you should watch "Kids" from 1995 lol

One of the few movies that is both excellent, and something that you'd prefer to never have to see again as long as you live.

My high school guidance counselor played this movie in class, she also left the room not knowing a thing, she was surprised seeing Jennifer Connelly bush 😂

omg, this movie. I could only watch it once. I truly appreciate this film, all of the technical elements that makes it so haunting but it's the acting that really shines through for me. Everyone's acting was exceptional. But it was Ellen Burstyn that completely blew me away. In fact her acting in this movie is in my top 3 performances of all time.

This is the reality of these situations. The despair, the loss, the tragedy of it all. I never got to this point, but I very well understand the power of addiction. This movie portrays the unsettling nature of the situation from an exterior POV. It makes you feel nasty afterward.

Kudos to the boys for watching some very challenging cinema.

“Whoever played the mother?” How dare you. Y’all even watched the Exorcist! Go watch Mother! And call your mothers.

It always means something to me when i find myself not the only one out in the world traumatized by this film. Brilliant, but definitely not a rewatch kind of situation.

Heroin is a helluva drug. And you're right, they didn't shame. I've seen this path with someone I loved very much, and unfortunately, she never got out...

A very heavy movie that makes you feel as sweaty and uncomfortable as Sara must feel running around her stuffy apartment. Still, Director Darren Aronofsky is an impressive filmmaker, with a solid and varied filmography. This put him on the map, and into college dorm rooms for movie night all through the early 2000s.

I remember the first time I saw this about 20 years ago, at the end I literally felt like I'd been punched in the stomach. I just laid on the couch staring into space trying to process what I just saw.

Between this, Basketball Diaries and Kids… my ass was scared straight af!!! I was mid teens when all these flicks came out and it still haunts me in my 40s!

of all the characters in this film, the one that breaks my heart is the mother. so loving yet so misguided and ultimately so lost. as others said, she should have won an oscar for this, but hollywood collectively squirmed away from the subject matter like the worms they are.

One of the best soundtrack ever hands down.

“Requiem for a Dream” stands out as one of my favorite films because of its unapologetic depiction of reality. Unlike so many movies that seek to wrap up with neatly packaged happy endings, this film dares to confront the darker, more unsettling truths of human existence. It serves as a stark reminder that not everyone’s story culminates in triumph or redemption. The film lays bare the devastating consequences of addiction, mental illness, and societal neglect, challenging viewers to reckon with the fragility of their own circumstances. Beyond its narrative, the film is a masterclass in visual storytelling. The use of cinematography, pacing, and editing is nothing short of extraordinary, immersing the audience in a world that is simultaneously harrowing and hypnotic. Every shot feels meticulously crafted, underscoring the characters’ descent into despair. There’s a tragic beauty to the way the film presents its subjects, capturing both their humanity and their downfall in a way that evokes both empathy and sorrow. In this sense, “Requiem for a Dream” is not just a film, but an artistic statement about the complexities of life, one that challenges the viewer to look beyond the surface and confront the uncomfortable realities that so many prefer to ignore.

Sara's monologue about being old and alone (at 17:30) is heartbreaking. But at 30:01: "I just wanted to be on the show," is what stabs me in the f'king heart. She's brilliant in this movie!!

OH NO THEY'RE GOING IN BLIND. Watched this movie while disappointing a date AND throwing up homemade eatables. Incredible film, one of the greatest.

Good depiction of the torture "mental health" services inflict, too. I've seen it and it's always inhumane to some degree.

You've finally won me back after how you treated poor Frodo. A great reaction and discussion at the end.

This is A Original Score by Clint Mansell

Great reaction Cam and Zay. Your commentary was thoughtful and your reactions were entertaining. Again, my apologies for subjecting you to this real life horror story (and not giving you advance notice of the trauma you’d endure), but I knew you would appreciate this as stellar storytelling and filmmaking.

Everybody, and I mean Everybody, does the Mail box double check when they drop a letter in lol. maybe not so much anymore since mailing things snail mail is almost obsolete. The final 10-15 minutes of this movie are so wild and disturbing it's amazing. Also the mom is the the mom from 'The Exorcist'. she received Ocars Noms for both films,

Great reaction guys, thank you! Such a disturbingly good movie. I have watched the movie a few times over the years because it’s so well-crafted and the narrative so impactful. But every time I rewatch it, and experience just how disturbing and unsettling it really is, I’m reminded why I haven’t watched it on more occasions. I only have to hear a tiny portion of that music score to start feeling uneasy and that awful sense of despair Aronofsky has woven into this masterwork. But watching it again alongside you guys and hearing your take on it, helped me cushion those thoughts of horror and focus far more on the cinematography and remember that it’s a work of Art, not a documentary. I’m a big fan of Aronofsky and would thoroughly recommend both Pi and The Fountain. But particularly The Fountain (starring Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weiss). It has an equally moving and disturbing message as Requiem and the beauty of the cinematography is just as undeniable. The big difference is that although a very sad movie, The Fountain does end on positive note of sorts. You’re left looking upward with hope and understanding, not looking down with your head in your hands. Why not give it a try here on your reaction channel? It’s a very underrated movie!

I recommend Black Swan by Darren Aronofsky as well

Correct kudos for the perfect film title "Requiem for a Dream" goes to the author of the 1978 novel Hubert Selby Jr, on which this film is based.

Yay! One of my favourite movies of all time. I watched it as a young teen and it’s forever been in my top 10, maybe even 5, top movie list. Welcome to a brilliant film. ❤❤❤

Ah, the most famous movie that audiences watch at most once. I think one of the most important lessons I took away from this movie when I saw it at age 20 is: fantasies turn against you when you deny reality in order to believe in them. All four of the main cast are heartbreaking, but Ellen Burstyn's character Sara is the one that hit me the hardest at the time... her true addiction (the TV, to cope with her loneliness / lack of meaningful emotional connection) started a long time before she got the weight loss pills, and the fantasy it served (that being a guest on her favorite infomercial and standing in front of millions of strangers while wearing the red dress would *somehow* give her life meaning) was the *most* out-of-touch with reality of all the fantasies we see in the movie. Which is kind of appropriate for the drugs she ultimately falls into: most people who abuse amphetamines don't end up with that level of psychosis, but she was already vulnerable to it, and she had no idea of the risks they presented to her. Meanwhile, opiates like heroin (the drug of choice for Leto, Connelly, and Wayans' characters) don't particularly mess with your sense of reality itself... so much as they make you feel like everything is fine, to the point that you're creepily unbothered by things that *ought* to bother you.

This is probably the most disturbing great movie I know of! I'm glad to see that it hit you as it is meant to. Ellen Burstyn's monologue to Jared is heartbreaking!

High schools should show upper classmen Requiem for a Dream, Shot Caller then Gattaca. I feel like kids would learn a lot watching those films.

Coming off of opiates/opioids of any kind is literally the worst feeling ever. You can't even imagine what it's like to come down and not have anything. You're constantly too cold, too hot, too cold, too hot, too cold, every bone in your body hurts, you can't sleep but you're exhausted, your anxiety is through the roof so you have constant and severe panic attacks, your body is desperately trying to force you to throw up and sh*t even when there's nothing left in your body so you still have the nausea and cramps, you have seizures, heart palpitations, your legs won't stop shaking, you can't think, you can't rest but you can't move either. It's like having every known disease on Earth, all at once and NOTHING anyone says can even come close to describing how it actually feels. I wouldn't wish it on the worst person who's ever lived.

OMG wooo child!!! This one?!

The used the score for the "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" trailer. I remember hearing it and going, "Oh, nooo." Haha. Music actually works really well in that trailer.

Ellen Burstyn gives one of the best performances of all time.

26:36 jennifer and jared actually had a fight that day, so the scene was really much more organic 😅 she said they made it up after, but it’s amazing this movie is the biggest punch in the gut ever…. such a snub at awards season too…. only ellen burstyn was nominated, and lost, sadly

Best movie I NEVER WANT TO SEE AGAIN IN MY LIFE.

This is an incredible movie but it's a one and done watch lol. Ellen Burstyn's performance is beautifully tragic and she was nominated for best actress that year.

Saw this in the theater in 2000. When we left, it felt like we’d been beaten with a bag of oranges. Just brutal.

This movie scared me from doing drugs because of the horrible outcome for all the characters. I saw this movie when I was like 15/16 when still in HS. You feel REALLY sad for the mother, because I don't think she realized she was taking speed until her son told her, but by that time she was addicted to the drug and the weight loss aspect of it. Really messed up since she thought she was taking a miracle diet pill. Also, it makes me feel even more sorry for her knowing that A FRIEND told her to see this doctor. This is what I would consider a true horror film. If you want another amazing drug movie, watch Trainspotting. Another trippy movie that gives some of the same trippy vibes as this, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

The film is based on a novel by the same name by Hubert Selby, Jr.

Thanks, Cameron! Thanks, Isaiah! 💊 Kudos to writer/director Darren Aronofsky.

*Y’all thinking Sarah’s addiction was gonna be sugar* Me watching: Oh you poor souls.

I unfortunately am one of the people, who watched it and got reminded of a family member, who acted just like Sarah. My grandmother passed away this march on the 4th, and for the past 10 years she slowly destroyed herself with her drug addiction. Towards her final years we got it under control, but at it's worst, she took about 30-40 different medications A DAY. We found out that she thought, that whatever the doctor gave her and told her to take, she didn't stop. She once had a bladder infections about 8 years ago, and she kept taking the pills for it years after having that problem. She also lived alone, since my grandpa died 24 years ago. The similarities between Sarah and my grandma is eerie, to say the least, and the fact that I watched this movie the day before she died, made it a much much more worse viewing experience for me.

Now react to Happiness. Starring Philip Seymour Hoffman

Great reaction! Some other great films about addiction are bad lieutenant (1992 nc-17 cut) and clean and sober (1988). Highly recommend both of those films, especially bad lieutenant which was written and directed by addicts and is a masterpiece

Darren Aronofsky's Masterpiece La Obra Maestra de Darren Aronofsky

Dark? Watch it on a bigger screen. Harrowing. One of the all-time modern rough watches, and well described as a horror drama. Your empathy is used against you to harrowing effect. And it's musical and rhythmic terror too at the end. No one ever wants to watch it again **for the first ten years**. Like that. Incredible style. The rest of Aronovsky is as good without being as rough.

This movie ending gave me a literal panic attack- I seriously had to use my inhaler- the message is so real life - so much more then other movies

Such a powerful movie. I cry at the end for the mother every time. On that note, I'm very curious to see your reaction to Darren Aronofsky's "Mother!" with Jennifer Lawrence. Go in blind and buckle up for the ride. I saw it in theaters and I can only say that the movie is an escalating 2 hour anxiety attack. The sound design is unnerving and I have never felt so uneasy and uncomfortable in a theater.

You guys need to be dressed up as Shaggy and Scooby for every reaction! Ruh-roh! Jinkies! :)

One of the few movies that caused me involuntary tears.

The only difference between the "Director's Cut" (which is the cut released to theaters) and the "Blockbuster Cut" is the camera angle for "ass to ass." There were no added or deleted scenes distinguishing the two versions. The run-time is exactly the same. Aronfsky's choice for the "ass-to-ass" was an overhead shot. The film was awarded an NC-17. Following an unsuccessful appeal, Aronofsky surrendered the rating and released his "Director's Cut" to the theaters unrated. A new version was made using a side shot of that sexual act. The new version was rated R. The only reason for the R-rated version was to get the movie into Blockbuster. I'm not sure that the R-rated version is even available anymore.

Electro-Conductive Therapy

If you want "intense" in a different way, react to the movie "Death Sentence" (2007), starring Kevin Bacon, John Goodman, Kelly Preston, and Garrett Hedlund. One of the most intense films you will ever see.

The only thing more tragic would have been Sara knowing what happened to her son

such an amazing movie I never wanna watch it again.

darren aronofsky directed/produced black swan too! i recommend it if you liked this.

This stuff is no laughing matter, guys. You have no idea what it feels like unless you're there.

Oh boy..... i don't think you're ready for this one.....

This movie and Trainspotting will keep you off drugs for sure. If you want to see Jared Leto in one his best roles, react to "Dallas Buyers Club", which, btw, is a really good movie.

The director also made 'The Fountain' and 'Black Swan'. They will give you similar weirdness. 'Pi' as well, if you want a math-thriller

I just realized that if those were scammers and got all her info, there is no one to complain. They can get all her money to include social security and no one notice.

I saw this in the theatre and thought I was going to throw up after.

Quick question for Cameron: what's the frame behind you? (the art piece on the wall) It's getting me curious on each video now.

Get ready to feel horrible about everything in life…I love this movie

New subscriber...love the reactions and analysis. I am a recovering addict as as much as some people say that this is a "cautionary tale", it kinda triggered me to use more. My weird ass would literally listen to the soundtrack/score when i was in psychosis. Anyway, i would love to see a reaction of "the sandlot", "can't hardly wait" or "200 cigarettes".

i love this movie, didn't know there was a director's cut, discovered that it's clever marketing --- the original movie from 2000 IS the director's cut, there are no additional scenes here. There was also censored R rated version back in the day so they're getting away with calling the original edit (that most would have seen anyhow) a "director's cut" for this 2020 release.

Great film…the performance from Ellen Burstyn is as good as any performance on film…ever

The book was originally written in 1978 so maybe the movie does take place in the past.

Definitely want to see y’all react to the directors cut of Donnie Darko if you’re going for the mind-messing flicks

Watched it once...never needed to see it again!

Another extremely intense, and insane movie you guys will really enjoy is "High Tension" (2004), starring Cécile de France, and Maïwenn (from The Fifth Element, 1997). Edge of your seat kinda flick!

Stay off the dr^gs, kids. Also, Cam and Zay are probably rethinking this Patreon tier! 😂 But good on you guys for doing reactions to movies others won’t. This has been a long time favorite and as I age it actually is more difficult to watch.

This movie is both brilliant and haunting. I want to see your reaction to it, but at the same time I don't want. I don't know how far I'm going to make it.

This movie messed me up. More than Martyrs, more than any horror movie I've seen. This was effed up

Snuck outta work, saw a matinee, on opening day Friday...iconic independent film. ...!! PS...I didnt get fired. 😂...that was months later. ❤

I'll watch anything with Leto and man, was this one a scorcher. It's not one I ever planned to watch a second time. So, here I am.

aw man this movies was meme'd to hell and back on tv shows and music back then all over the place. fun times.

Well this movie just made me a Patreon guys! Want to see you’re whole reaction to this. It’s not a movie I can rewatch often 😅 so disturbing, but excellent! Camerawork, editing, music, acting 👌 You feel miserable and tripping as a viewer too 🥴😵‍💫

This movie and the book were so good. Powerful and heartbreaking. As close as you can get to actual addiction. Ellen was robbed of best actress! They all were amazing in this and also the score was created for the movie. Lux Aeterna by Clint Mansell. Powerful score! I highly recommend The Wrestler and The Whale by Aronofsky too.

That's the mom from the film the exorcist

Gotta do Silence of the Lambs on the off-chance that y’all haven’t seen it

the greatest movie you'll never watch again

RFAD is clearly one of the best gut-punch films. It's an important piece of art. You guys are the best reviewers and reactioners; I may have to dig through the couch coushins to go to patteon. Ellen Burstyn played - the mom from the Excorist. Fitting somehow. Seriously consider doing The Deer Hunter.