Requiem for a Dream Explained | Classic Explained Episode 10 

I hope you enjoy and thank you for voting! Which other movies would you like to see analyzed, and what were your thoughts/theories around Requiem for a Dream? I would love to discuss!!

A requiem is also a piece of music played at a funeral mass. So it could also be like a funeral for their dreams.

As a recovering addict , I have always loved this movie. I watch it every time I think of relapsing to remind myself that it’s not worth it. It’s such a dark yet beautiful film , it shows how easily happiness is found yet how easily and tragically it can be lost.

The non-high characters seeming one-dimensional is actually genious. High people interact with sober people and remember such interactions in a more rigid and methodical way. They just are trying to be normal and focusing on not seeming high as fuck during their interactions with sober people. So that's why they think of sober people as one dimensional because they are always on guard and taking things as surface level as possible to keep it simple to act sober. It's brilliant, really, to depict this in the way he does.

When I first watched this movie when I was 17 I was already into my own drug addiction and it kinda rained on my parade. Shit got bad after that. My mom is strung out on amphetamines (from a Dr) and my grandma has Alzheimer's as a direct result of benzo and alcohol abuse. I basically lived this movie, jail, pimping my gf, almost getting shot, etc. I'm 4 years clean now and I watched the movie again today and got physically ill. Glad I made it thru everything but being able to say "my life is like requiem for a dream" is wack

As a person with anxiety, this movie was so unsettling to watch. It got harder and harder as the movie went on, you could feel the uncomfortable feeling, guilt, innocence being taken, and the all around on the edge feel. Gosh they all played their part to the perfect detail

I always thought "requiem" meant an emptiness or a void where something should be, like in this case, a "dream." I felt this the strongest at the end of the movie when Harry wakes up and says Marion's name. The nurse tells him she'll be sent for, and she'll come, but the realization hits him that she won't, and it's suddenly like a nightmare he can't wake up from. It reminds me of the feeling you get when you have a dream of winning the lottery, but you somehow become aware of the dream while having it, and realize you can't take that good thing with you to reality when you wake up no matter how bad you want to.

Requiem for a dream is the first movie where it was physically hard to watch and sit through towards the end in a good way though. Truly a beautiful movie

I just watched this today by myself and once the credits rolled I was just stunned. Watching it alone enhanced the experience but also made it scarier

Such an awesome analysis. Like how you focused on the theme of solitude. Movie makes me want to phone home more often.

Requiem for a Dream is one of the best Horror movie films ever. Yes I said it. Horror movie. This is just very haunting no matter how many times you revisit it. There are no supernatural elements involved. There is no creature, or a deranged psycho with a knife chasing everyone around. Not even a jump scare. Addiction itself is the actual monster. It comes for everyone and ravages them. We see how all characters will find themselves in shithole they will never be able to climb out of.

The last time I watched this movie I was a teenager and all I took away from it was "Don't do drug n-kaaaaay." I definitely need to revisit this one.

This movie makes me think so hard that for whom I am the most sorry for. Most frightening movie of all time which is way more realistic than any ghost movie. AS ALWAYS You nailed the analysis.

saw this movie when I was 12 years old and honestly it shaped my outlook on drugs ever since.

9:13 the third rule of The Month of Fury can be found as an easter egg on the DVD Great Video! I really think this is one of the best films to point out the "Good movies are not the same as happy movies" problem. Eery once in a while i get the question Did you enjoy the movie, and sometimes the anwser is no dispite the fact the movie is really good Third rules is: No orgasms for a month

I was living in NYC when this movie came out , and I must say its the reality we face every single day. I left NYC as fast as I get there

More than about drug addiction, the story is about dreams being ruined and turning into nightmares. Each character has a dream Tyrone wants to escape the Ghetto life Harry wants to spend his life with Marion Marion wanted to design clothes and be with Harry Sara wanted to feel better about herself, and be admired. Its because of these dreams that they even started messing with drugs in the first place. Tyrone and Harry start selling dope to have enough money to escape the Ghetto life, and start a clothing store for Marion. Sara wanted to lose weight. But in the end Tyrone loses his freedom Harry loses his arm and Marion Marion lost her dignity and will probably OD to death Sara lost her mind

Absolutely fantastic analysis. Thank you so much for this. I've been putting off this movie for a decade, and feel a little more complete understanding it now.

Amazing analysis! You really gave me a whole different view

Great video man, the immense work you put into it shows

Thank you!! Most uploads purporting to be an analysis of (insert topic) are often little more than rants elevating, or denigrating aforementioned topic, your observations are truly analytical. Satisfying, too! Your comment regarding Sara’s vanity -the inter-title text @9:45 - would have been appreciated by the novel’s author, Hubert Selby jr. IMHO

Brilliant. One of the greatest movies ever Made. Props to Hubert Selby Jr. The author of the book.

and I thought people were joking when they said the ending was extremely tragic my god was that a ride

This is my favorite movie and this is my favorite analysis of it I’ve ever seen. So great we’ll done

Excellent overview! My psych final is going to be about this movie and you pointed out some really cool stuff that I haven't noticed yet.

What a good analysis, very insightful! I´ve just re-watched the movie after many years and it left an even greater impression on me this time.

Great analysis! I'm not a big fan of Aronofsky as techniques and effects serve to get across quite simple messages but your break down is absolutely perfect.

Great chill analysis. The algorithm is working its magic.

This movie and transpotting should be show in all high schools.

Your analysis is very good, thanks. Perfect movie.

Very fascinating that this video popped up. Was looking up Gabor Mate's work on addiction and trauma. Great video. Subscribed!

this was great!

the analysis was great. huge tnx

Earned a subscription.

I truly feel for Sara, perfectly depict my loneliness

Amazing breakdown of the movie

Amazing video Watched the movie last night and omg I was not ready for all of that it had me hooked

that's a great analysis great job buddy.

This is a better review of this movie than the plethora out there eg. the Cinema Cartographer one, which I though was just rambling undergrad film student stuff.

Not being able to be honest with your parents is a doozy. If it was anything I related to this move the most was that.

Haven’t seen the whole movie but this is scaringly familiar.

Amazing work ❤

My dumbass got heavy into xtc use and the last time i did that shit i took 2 teslas (each having around 200-250 mg of MDA ) , i felt amazing , i was drinking my water as i was supposed too then when i went to the restroom to let the stream out as soon as i finished i collapsed on the bathroom floor and was unconscious for maybe 2-3 seconds before getting up , i brushed it off and really didn’t think much of it (i was rolling balls ) i waled to the kitchen and i lost consciousness again this time actually hitting my forehead otw down , i immediately stood up and understood what was happening, my sodium levels dropped significantly and im glad that i made that educated guess because as soon as i got up i ran to the kitchen ,filled a huge jar of water and threw about 5 spoons worth of salt and sat my ass down while i drank the salted water amd ate an orange . That day i realized that im not fucking superman . I googled the overdose limit for MDA and it was 400mg , i was way above that . My heart rate was all fucked up for the rest of the next day and i had to call in to work . Ecstasy in itself isn’t addictive but the feeling it gave you was just the best feeling i had ever felt but there is no way im touching that shit ever again .

such a good video fr !!!!

I saw Requiem for a Dream for the first time on acid. It was pretty good.

I easily could have been one of these characters. Luckily, I recognized that I didn't need to and stopped my own substance addiction. I smoke weed but I know that I can't do anything harder ever again as I would end up on the streets.

With Sara she didn't know she was addicted

He was crying in the cab because his mom was taking the diet pills and he knew what addiction was

i just realized, something: in my last relationship, i was the co-addict, which got so stressfull to me, that i started to do drugs. five years later, my new boyfriend is the co-addict.

Moore William Walker Kevin Lopez Melissa

Rodriguez George Perez Shirley Miller Charles

Thompson Jose Jackson Kevin Davis Margaret

Lesson: dont do drugs y'all.

Johnson Eric Walker Steven Johnson Nancy

So I would like to voice my view of this film. I'm an addict or former, or in recovery whatever however you feel you need to label me. I don't hear many opinions on this film from addicts current or otherwise. So for one. I do this movie is both fantastic and at the same a terrible propaganda fear mongering disaster. The characters are all like the most extreme worst case scenario. Being an addict is so much more mundane and boring than this movie depicts. For example if you are a women on drugs the logical conclusion is not that you'll start selling your body. Does it happen sure I guess. But 95 percent of women I know wouldn't do that and definitely wouldn't be doing that while dating someone. In reality he would have freaked out if she slept with someone for money. The real logical conclusion for most people is you just become homeless and you hustle for twenty bucks or most people just sell themselves which I guess this movie shows idk it's quite puzzling because this movie just seems so nonsensical to me. Sure I suppose many individual parts make sense but still it's missing the real truth the real heart of addiction to me at least. To me it's a scare film. If you do drugs you'll lose your mind, your arm, and you'll become a sex worker and die. And like ok sure that's possible. But you can quit it can get better.

someone must not have read the book ..

can you please vary your voice tone UUuuuUUuuuuuUuuuuuUuuuuUUuuuuUUuuuuUUuu

Having worked with drugs addicts, I can assure everyone that no drug addict looks as good as Jennifer Connelly after consuming.

The questions nobody talks about is.... 1. Why did Harry and Marion have so identical appearences and were lovers? I think there is somthing deep about that choose of actors. 2. Did Sara really get a invitation to the tv show or was it maybe only in her imagination? 3. How can Sara get prescribed amphetamines so easily? Is this drug legal?

Holy shit talk normally please

Your cadence it’s really annoying to listen to please practice a bit more on speaking

Movie sucked

Wow u nailed it

AESSS 2 AESSS!!!!!

Yesss thank you 🙏

I work at a hospital and We were talking about drug seekers at work and I was telling my co workers how ppl expect opiates to numb physical pain but don’t realize it also numbs emotional pain. And getting that final “break” from emotional pain is often how addiction starts and thrives. I’ll never forget the first time I sno*ted h, it was like for the first time in 7 years I actually felt good and not constantly drowning in sadness and hopelessness. It was the ultimate break from cold reality. I used on and off for 6 years as a functioning “part time addict” before I finally threw in the towel 4 years ago and was just done. This is a brilliant analysis, thank you for this.

Clark Sharon Clark Larry Lewis Nancy

Only an addict with their mind still intact can truly confirm just how realistic this movie’s portrayals are I think. Take that from me. It is nearly a documentary.

You absolutely nailed the analysis and if you also recognize that each character ends up in a fetal position which I thought was interesting and symbolic

I was probably just a few step away from being another Harry. Somehow saved myself. To non-addict people it might seem like a movie, but for some it is the unescapable reality they are living. I hope everyone a better life! Great movie, great analysis!

my whole interpretation about this was how drugs promise a way they can achieve their "dream" only for it to bring them farther away from it and get taken advantage of.

Also at 12:24 you say Marion just wanting to get another injection. Marion only sniffs heroin it’s Harry and Tyrone that shoot. That’s why whenever there’s a montage you can see 2 montage of shooting up, and one montage of sniffing. She only sniffs.

This is one of those movies I always say that everyone should see at least once. One thing this movie does excellently, to me, is how it depicts the character’s casual drug use rapidly evolves in to full blown “sell your soul” addiction. The one thing this movie didn’t nail, in my opinion, was how quickly it portrayed the male characters would use their drugs. The ritual of preparation is almost as important as the actual using itself. Even in the throes of debilitating withdrawal while searching, finally having the “drug of choice” in their possession will alleviate some withdrawal symptoms almost immediately. Also, an addict doesn’t wait until they are sick to look for the drugs they know they are going to need to make it through the day, and sometimes will even save enough to curb sickness later so as to function normally day to day. The high functioning addict is a rare breed however.

I beleive the film and the music are the most iconic of a whole era, especially the music. Like the Godfather's music for the 70's, the Requiem for a dream is the same for the 00's.

I think you broke down everything perfectly. I could've never thought that the split screen and the boardwalk scene meant something. I finally watched the film after avoiding it for a long time. It was what I expected it to be and had a strong message.

watched this movie after my first time in rehab. stayed with me. now years later, after another rehab stint, this analysis came up. made me cry. definately the best film on the horrors of addiction and your insight is amazing

Really good video. Interesting that you opted to go without a soundtrack to support your voiceover. I remained engaged without it, so well done.

This videos deserves more views, amazing analysis of this movie!!

Great Analysis like always! Love your voice and love the content! ❤️ I haven't seen this movie, and this is the closest I will ever get to watching it. I can watch the conjuring or insidious movies alone in a dark room at 3am, but this kind of emotional movies scare me more. Haha. Keep up the great work, Lucas Blue! ❤️

Honestly as a recovering addict u can’t watch this if your not there yet mentally don’t make the mistake I did cuz it almost got mr almost .

Thank you for helping people to track the meaning and symbolism of great, and/or obscure, and/or misunderstood, important films like this one. As for myself, having lived with a genius addict for 7 years, I have no desire or need to see this film, as much as I admire Aranofsky's work. I've lived inside that world, and lived through my own personal struggle in healing from being a part of it. I know it inside out, not simply because I lived through it, and don't assume, reader, I mean anything that simplistic. It's because I took the time during and afterwards, with support, to agonizingly pull it apart, piece by piece, within myself as an intimate and codependent, to understand what drove me into it, that I can say what I say. For many who've been there, and from what I've seen of this film, many in recovery as well as on the peripheries, who can benefit deeply from Aranofsky's essay on addiction.

This is an important movie and I wish it had more publicity at the time. Your review of this film is exceptional. Well done.

Bravo. Except there is no food addiction, she was just enjoying the little pleasures of a relaxed life, like the box of chocolates every now and then. She got conned by doctors and sees food as a temptation but it wasn’t so.

I remember watching this movie in 5th grade of school in 2004. Organized by 10th grader sister for 10th graders, behind closed doors (because of pegi rating), during the week of addiction prevention theme in school. She thought it would be a good idea to let me watch too. I was terrified, but this movie has changed my life. I swore to myself to never try heavier than weed drugs, to not end up in addiction like film heroes. Terrific movie, terrific soundtrack by clint mansel and played by kronos quartet, 10/10 movie about addiction.

at 36 after experiencing a lot of things, this movie is quite shocking. I've always had a huge issue with escapism and i've always been that guy who tells people the hard truths(mostly just because that's how i see things) so anything that has to do with not facing the truth, to me is a HUGE problem. I keep telling people how awful our civilizations have become that we do not treat our weak and needy at all, and leave them to a life of disparity. these are really bad times and i really hope things get better.

This movie is so sad and tragic , you can only watch it once . The mom breaks my heart. Good movie though.

Just watched this film for the first time and quite a ride! I struggle with drug addiction myself and this film has definitely made me rethink! I am also by myself so much so can totally relate to these characters trying to fill their loneliness

This movie made me tremendously scared for my son. Even tho he’s 4 I want to show him this movie whenever he’s older so he can see the impact of drugs.

this movie is so honest abt addiction. also basketball diaries. kind of makes me sick when i watch them. it makes me feel the pain like i dealt w it yesterday.

I watched the movie for the first time last night without doing any research about the movie. I did not expect it to be such a great movie.

Just found this. There is a hidden scene on the DVD with a continuation of the Month of Fury where he reveals rule 3.

I cried for about 30 minutes after watching this movie for the first time. Word to the wise: do not watch this while high and drunk 😅

Man that was a deep dive into some very dificult material... You have earned yourself a subscriber

Sex can be used as a weapon, to bribe, a drug to reach a high for less then a minute and that high can have devastating consequences.

I watched this movie extremely ⛽️💨 🌱 and it tripped me out not in a good way Edit : Watching it completely clear headed brings on a whole different meaning :( left me straighten depressed:( If you suffer from depression anxiety or anything in between I recommend you DO NOT watch this movie. Extremely triggering. You will be left with feelings of dread and despair

Just found your channel. Some of the best film analysis content on RU-vid. Subscribed

This movie actually was an extremely bad representation of drug addiction. It didn't play the whole thing through. It just stopped at the bottom. That's only half the story

This movie is one of the most depressive movies that I’ve seen in a long time. Amazing acting, but wow is it heavy.

Not in agreement with this analysis at all

Your analysis of Requiem for a Dream was amazing. Thank you. Well done.