Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
After Dr. Bill Harford's wife, Alice, admits to having sexual fantasies about a man she met, Bill becomes obsessed with having a sexual encounter. He discovers an underground sexual group and attends one of their meetings -- and quickly discovers that he is in over his head.
Details
Budget
$65,000,000
Rating
8/10 (6345 votes)
Status
Released
Production Companies
Warner Bros. Pictures, Stanley Kubrick Productions
About Eyes Wide Shut
Stanley Kubrick's 1999 drama, thriller, and mystery film "Eyes Wide Shut" explores themes of sexual obsession, marriage, and secret societies. The narrative centers on Dr. Bill Harford, whose wife Alice's admission of sexual fantasies initiates a journey into the hidden world of an underground sexual group in New York City. The film delves into the complexities of a relationship tested by desire and the exploration of concealed aspects of human sexuality.
The story unfolds with a focus on psychological tension rather than explicit depiction. As Bill navigates this secretive world, the film incorporates keywords like "eroticism," "orgy," "masked ball," and "conspiracy," suggesting a deep dive into the hidden desires and potential dangers within human connection. The film's 159-minute runtime allows for a gradual build-up of suspense and the exploration of its intricate plot points.
The film has a strong critical reception, with an IMDb rating of 7.5 based on over 440,000 votes, a Rotten Tomatoes score of 77%, and a Metacritic score of 69/100. Its 8 out of 10 average vote from 6,345 users on TMDB further indicates its impact. The movie's engagement with subjects like "lust," "drugs," and "voyeurism" contributes to its genre classification and its exploration of the darker undercurrents of relationships and society.
"Eyes Wide Shut" remains notable for its meticulous direction and its examination of the human psyche when confronted with temptation and the unknown. The film uses its setting and narrative to question the boundaries of fidelity and the nature of desire within a seemingly conventional marriage.
Why you might be searching for Eyes Wide Shut
Many people search for "Eyes Wide Shut" due to its memorable masked party scenes and the psychological exploration of sexual fantasy and infidelity. Its themes of secret societies and marital tension also make it a frequently recalled film, often leading to searches about specific intense scenes or its distinct visual style.
What reviewers are saying
This film is considered a thought-provoking work by Stanley Kubrick, even if viewers debate its standing among his other films, as it explores desire and sexuality within a relationship.
Read the full reviewOne reviewer describes the film as a hypnotic journey into a hidden world of elite power, suggesting Kubrick's subtle exposure of secret societies and their darker connections through atmosphere and ritual rather than explicit dialogue.
Read the full reviewThe reviewer notes Kubrick's masterful control of atmosphere, specifically in depicting orgies in a clinical, asexual manner, draining them of warmth and making them feel ritualized and alienating.
Read the full reviewThe plot begins with a wealthy doctor and his wife attending a Christmas party, leading to a conversation about their sexual fantasies that pushes the doctor to explore an exclusive, masked party where traditional morals are disregarded.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about finding and identifying movies
You can watch "Eyes Wide Shut" on HBO Max.
"Eyes Wide Shut" is not based on a true story, but it is an adaptation of Arthur Schnitzler's 1926 novella, "Dream Story" (German: "Traumnovelle"). The film shifts the setting from early twentieth-century Vienna to 1990s New York City.
At the end of "Eyes Wide Shut," Bill confesses his experiences to Alice, and they take their daughter Christmas shopping. Alice suggests they work on their relationship, and when Bill asks how, she responds with "Fuck," implying intimacy as a way to reconnect. However, some interpretations suggest a darker ending, with theories that their daughter Helena is kidnapped by the secret society Bill encountered, citing elements like a specific board game and background figures as clues. Ultimately, some viewers believe the film's ending emphasizes "unreality" and is meant to be a dreamlike experience rather than a realistic one.
"Eyes Wide Shut" received generally positive reviews from critics, holding a 77% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a weighted average score of 69 out of 100 on Metacritic. Critics praised it as an intense study of the human psyche and a remarkable achievement with dreamlike sensibilities and thematic ambiguity, though audience scores were lower.