Enter the Void Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A drug dealer takes the ultimate trip, forgets to file his taxes, and haunts his sister while Tokyo flashes like a broken disco ball.

🍿 Enter the Void: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Oscar’s Life in Tokyo

The film opens with Oscar, an American drug dealer living in Tokyo, immersed in a world of drugs and neon lights. His sister, Linda, works as a stripper. Their lives are intertwined with the vibrant and sometimes seedy underbelly of Tokyo’s nightlife.

Betrayal and Death

Oscar is set up during a drug deal by his friend Victor, leading to a confrontation with the police. He attempts to dispose of the drugs but is fatally shot in a bathroom. This marks a significant shift in the film’s perspective.

Out-of-Body Experience

After his death, Oscar’s spirit detaches from his body, becoming a detached observer. He floats through Tokyo, witnessing the aftermath of his death and the lives of those around him, especially Linda. This section explores themes of attachment and the transition between life and death.

Flashbacks and Memories

Interspersed with the out-of-body experience are flashbacks to Oscar and Linda’s childhood, revealing the trauma of their parents’ death in a car accident. These memories provide context for their present lives and their deep bond.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Oscar (Nathaniel Brown): An American drug dealer in Tokyo whose death initiates an out-of-body experience and exploration of the afterlife.
• Linda (Paz de la Huerta): Oscar’s sister, a stripper in Tokyo, grappling with loss and her own struggles in the city’s underworld.
• Alex (Cyril Roy): Oscar’s friend who introduces the concept of the Tibetan Book of the Dead, influencing the film’s themes.
• Victor (Olly Alexander): Oscar’s friend involved in the drug trade and potentially responsible for Oscar’s death.
• Little Linda (Emily Alyn Lind): The younger version of Linda, whose traumatic childhood experiences shape the siblings’ relationship.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Alex: “Basically, when you die your spirit leaves your body, actually at first you can see all your life, like reflected in a magic mirror. Then you start floating like a ghost, you can see anything happening around you, you can hear everything but you can’t communicate.” – Alex explains the concept of death and reincarnation according to the Tibetan Book of the Dead to Oscar.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $16,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $336,467
• Worldwide Gross: $806,517

💥 Enter the Void Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, ‘Enter the Void’ is… a lot. I went in expecting something trippy, but it was a full-on psychedelic experience. The POV shots are intense, especially the early drug trip scenes, and I found myself strangely captivated by the visuals. The length is definitely a hurdle, and there were moments I felt lost. Still, it’s one of those movies that stays with you long after the credits roll – a true conversation starter! What did I just experience?

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of experimental cinema”
  • “Viewers interested in exploring themes of death and spirituality”
  • “Those who appreciate visually striking and unconventional films”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic drug use”
  • “Explicit sexual content”
  • “Disturbing imagery”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Flashing lights (may cause seizures)”

Professional Reviews

• Cinema Blind: “Gaspar Noé delivers a visually stunning but narratively perplexing film. ‘Enter the Void’ pushes boundaries, but the lengthy runtime and explicit content may not appeal to all viewers. Its artistic merit is undeniable, but it can be a challenging cinematic experience.
• IMDb: “A technically brilliant movie but is overly long and at times monotonous. The POV style is innovative but loses its appeal over the almost 3 hour duration. Amazing visuals, strong performances, however a significant edit would produce a more engaging film.
• Film Inquiry: “A movie which is unique and memorable for it’s creative cinematography and unique visuals. Its length and graphic imagery divide opinions but is truly unforgettable. The movie can be uncomfortable and not for the faint of heart.

Audience Reactions

The innovative camera work and visuals provide a unique cinematic experience.: Viewers appreciated the film’s technical achievements and the immersion created by the first-person perspective.

The film is thought-provoking and explores themes of life, death, and reincarnation.: Many found the film to be a deep exploration of spirituality and the human condition, despite its controversial elements.

Overall Consensus: Enter the Void is a visually groundbreaking and conceptually ambitious film that is highly divisive. Its explicit content and lengthy runtime make it a challenging watch, but those who appreciate experimental cinema may find it rewarding.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Gaspar Noé stated that most of the dialogue was improvised by the cast, as he didn’t understand English very well and needed someone to confirm if it sounded natural.”
• “The film begins with ‘ENTER’ and ends with ‘THE VOID’, visually framing the entire experience within the title.”
• “Gaspar Noé said he had seen the film Lady in the Lake after taking a magic mushroom; this is a 1947 Raymond Chandler adaptation which is shot in POV (that is, the camera is like the eyes of the lead). Gaspar had also been reading about life after death experiences, or near death experiences. So he wanted to combine the hallucinations, POV shooting, and out-of-body experience material.”

🖥️ How to Watch Enter the Void?

As a more experimental film, “Enter the Void” might be available for rent or purchase on platforms such as Apple TV, Google Play Movies, or Amazon Prime Video, though availability can vary. Check your preferred digital retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Enter the Void, you might like these similar films:

• 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968): Shares a similar ambition to create a mind-bending, visually stunning cinematic experience exploring consciousness and the unknown.
• Irreversible (2002): Another Gaspar Noé film known for its experimental filmmaking techniques, shocking content, and exploration of dark themes.
• Jacob’s Ladder (1990): Deals with themes of death, the afterlife, and distorted reality through the perspective of a traumatized protagonist.

🛒 Enter the Void Related Products

• Gaspar Noé: Irreversible / I Stand Alone (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: The Criterion Collection release of Gaspar Noé’s earlier works, Irreversible and I Stand Alone, provides a deeper understanding of his filmmaking style. The films includes special features such as interviews and behind-the-scenes footage.
• Tibetan Book of the Dead: The Great Liberation Through Hearing in the Bardo: A core theme of the movie, this book explores the afterlife and reincarnation.
• Tokyo After Dark: A Photographic Journey Through Japan’s Nightlife: This book will immerse you in the mesmerizing and often mysterious world of Tokyo after dark. Through evocative photographs and engaging narratives, you’ll discover the neon-lit streets, hidden bars, and vibrant subcultures that come alive when the sun sets.
• Neon Genesis Evangelion: Complete Series [Blu-ray]: This anime series explores dark themes of spirituality and inner turmoil with impressive visuals and a memorable soundtrack. An absolute classic.

🎧 Soundtrack

Enter the Void features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Salve Regina” – performed by Jez Poole and Martyn Warren
• “Left Hand Free” – performed by alt-J

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Most DISTURBING Movies | Part 14: Caligula, Enter The Void and more…

Curious about what makes ‘Enter the Void’ so unsettling? This video breaks down the movie’s disturbing content and explores why it’s not for the faint of heart. Buckle up for a deep dive into the film’s psychological and emotional impact.

Enter the void for a dollar? WORTH IT 😂 #comedy

Need a laugh after the intensity of ‘Enter the Void’? Check out this hilarious sketch that pokes fun at the movie’s themes and leaves you with a smile. It’s a perfect palate cleanser for fans of the film.

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