Requiem for a Dream
User Score
8.4 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 272 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 240 out of 272
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 272
  3. Negative: 22 out of 272

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  1. ChrisK
    Apr 19, 2008
    0
    It is the most overrated and dangerous movie atrocity ever. It takes every stereotype about drugs and drug abuse and reinforces those stereotypes to absurdist, kafkaesque levels. Comparisons to the propaganda classic "Reefer Madness" (go watch it at archive.org and spot the similarities) are both valid and necessary. People who know nothing (and want to know nothing) about how addiction works give this film a high rating because it confirms their infantile views (Drugs=Evil)on the issues dealt with in the movie. Cater ignorance to the ignorant. Always a wise business decision.… Expand
  2. Louie-Dog
    May 21, 2012
    3
    Requiem for a Dream is the story of 4 stereotypical stock characters who suffer from substance abuse. All of which become the victims of a gruesomely slippery slope of drug addiction. However, this film fails at creating unique and original characters with even the slightest amount of depth. And the half-assed love story between Harry and Marion gives no insight into why they fell in love other then them both being attractive. Many people praise its innovative cinematography and "realistic" view of the results of drug abuse. But along with its purposefully disturbing scare tactics, it's about as compelling and a D.A.R.E poster. And unfortunately the cinematography isn't enough to salvage this colossal piece of trash.… Expand
  3. [Anonymous]
    Feb 8, 2008
    0
    horrid. depressing, no plot. left me feeling disgusting, hopeless and depressed. i wish i could erase that hour and a half.
  4. RichieC.
    Nov 17, 2006
    3
    If you love being depressed and miserable after watching something thats soposed to be entertaining and artsistic then watch this film from hell.
  5. TelyS.
    Dec 28, 2003
    1
    Sorry Darren, you're not foolin this wily cat. I will give him credit for making a film that goes absolutely no where, dramatically or conceptually, seem 10X more complex than it actually is. Underneath the pretentious flash is a soul as or even more vacant as any mainstream Hollywood garbage.
  6. J.McMaster
    Jun 17, 2002
    3
    First half was boring, little more than an exercise in film school technique. Second half was a little better, once the director stopped getting in the way of the story. If you want a good movie in this genre, rent "Trainspotting" or "Drugstore Cowboy."
  7. Payup
    Oct 2, 2010
    0
    Requiem for a Dream was extremely boring. i really can't believe that anyone saw any good in this worthless trash of a film. there was no point in the movie that was even remotely entertaining and the only good thing about it was that everything i did over the following couple of days after seeing it seemed a lot more interesting in comparison. It was just bad.
  8. existentialist
    Jan 21, 2011
    2
    Aronofsky obviously knows little about drug culture or addiction. If a person has never used hard drugs or been involved with people using hard drugs I can see how they might praise this as an unflinching look at the realities of addiction. But unfortunately, Aronofsky's "shock-and-awe" campaign is not based in reality. In actuality the consequences of drug use can be much worse, but not as gruesome or as idiotic as this film portrays them.… Expand
  9. Nazgulero
    Mar 1, 2011
    0
    I really do not see the fascination a lot of filmmakers and other artists have with the bottom feeders of society. I find addicted people disgusting, as simple as that. I find it evenly disgusting how deep certain humans can sink. We must be the only species without a clear genetically determined spectrum of behaviour. I have seen people who live in dirt, who smell, who dump their waste on the street, who destroy themselves with alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, food, or whatever poison they can find. No animal does that. Animals spend most of the day cleaning themselves, because they instinctively know that their body is pretty much their most important asset.
    With regard to this movie, what is the purpose of making it ? Drugs are dangerous ? Thanks, by now everybody should know that.
    The only thing tha bothers me is that apparently a lot of people can actually relate to that movie. That spells trouble for humanity...    … Expand
  10. Tss5078
    Feb 24, 2013
    4
    Weird, confusing, and pointless. I really don't understand what all the hype is about. Yes, Ellen Burstyn performance was unbelievable, but the movie was just terrible. Honestly, I know it has a huge cult following, but wtf is so special about it? Please someone fill me in...What am I missing?
  11. SEROJ
    Mar 12, 2013
    1
    Very overrated, disgusting and stupid! I would recommend this movie to all TEENS, who want to try on drugs, so the only good thing about this movie is that it can scare some kids to not try drugs. Otherwise this movie is awful. I can't give more than 1/10 just because it can teach some kids. Parents can do that too, there's no need to watch a disgusting movie like this.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
68 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 32
  3. Negative: 4 out of 32
  1. Rolling Stone
    Reviewed by: Peter Travers
    100
    No one interested in the power and magic of movies should miss it.
  2. Film.com
    Reviewed by: Ernest Hardy
    30
    Too self-consciously dark, too aware of its long, murky, art-designed descent into the underbelly of America's addictive personality.
    Read full review
  3. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Jonathan Foreman
    88
    A powerful fable about love and addiction that manages to be darkly humorous when it isn't graphic or harrowing in the extreme.
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See all critic reviews »