Eyes Wide Shut Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A doctor gets cucked by his wife’s imagination, then wanders around New York trying to get laid, only to stumble into a super-secret, super-elite orgy that’s way out of his league, and somehow this saves his marriage.

🍿 Eyes Wide Shut: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Frank Conversation

Dr. Bill Harford and his wife, Alice, attend a lavish Christmas party. Later, at home, they engage in a raw, honest discussion about sexual desire and fidelity. Alice reveals a past fantasy about another man, which deeply unsettles Bill.

Bill’s Night of Wandering

Bill, reeling from Alice’s revelation, embarks on a night-long journey through New York City. He encounters various opportunities for infidelity, including a grieving woman professing her love and a chance encounter with a prostitute named Domino. However, each encounter is fraught with unease and leaves him unfulfilled.

The Secret Society

Through a former medical school colleague, Bill learns of a secret, exclusive sex party. Driven by a need to confront his desires, he obtains a costume and password and infiltrates the clandestine gathering. The masked orgy is bizarre and unsettling, and Bill quickly realizes he is out of his depth.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Dr. William Harford (Tom Cruise): A Manhattan doctor whose worldview is shattered after his wife’s confession, leading him on a night of surreal encounters.
• Alice Harford (Nicole Kidman): William’s wife, whose admission of a past fantasy triggers a crisis in their marriage and propels William’s journey.
• Victor Ziegler (Sydney Pollack): A wealthy and influential patient of William’s who attempts to guide and control the situation after William’s intrusion.
• Nick Nightingale (Todd Field): A musician and former medical student who unwittingly introduces William to the secret society.
• Milich (Rade Serbedzija): The owner of Rainbow Fashions who provides William with the costume and mask for the secret society’s party.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Alice: “If he just wanted me, right there, would I have given up everything? You bet I would.” – Alice’s candid admission of her fleeting desire for another man sparks Bill’s night-long odyssey.
• Dr. Bill Harford: “No dream is ever just a dream.” – Bill reflects on the blurred lines between reality and fantasy as his night unfolds.
• Victor Ziegler: “You saw a party. A lot of people doing things you may not have understood. Let’s leave it at that.” – Ziegler attempts to downplay the significance of the ritual Bill witnessed, urging him to forget it.
• Alice: “There’s something very important we have to do as soon as possible. What’s that? Fuck.” – Alice’s final line signifies a commitment to honesty and renewed intimacy in their marriage.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $65,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $55,691,208
• Worldwide Gross: $162,378,895

💥 Eyes Wide Shut Reviews

Personal Review

I remember seeing ‘Eyes Wide Shut’ for the first time and feeling completely bewildered, but also strangely captivated. The atmosphere is so thick with dread and mystery, it felt like I was watching a dream unfold. The scenes at Ziegler’s mansion and the costume shop were especially memorable. Tom Cruise’s portrayal of Bill’s descent into paranoia was amazing. It’s a movie that sticks with you, making you question everything.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Stanley Kubrick”
  • “Viewers interested in psychological dramas”
  • “Those who appreciate films that explore complex relationships”
  • “Individuals fascinated by themes of sexuality and infidelity”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Nudity”
  • “Sexual content”
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Some disturbing imagery”

Professional Reviews

• The New York Times: “Eyes Wide Shut is a mesmerizing and disturbing journey into the complexities of marriage and desire. Kubrick’s meticulous direction and the committed performances of Cruise and Kidman create an unsettling atmosphere that lingers long after the credits roll. It is a challenging but ultimately rewarding cinematic experience.
• RogerEbert.com: “A masterwork from a master filmmaker. Kubrick explores the undercurrents of sexual jealousy and the fragility of trust with unflinching honesty. The film’s dreamlike quality and ambiguous ending invite endless interpretation, making it a film that demands multiple viewings. A haunting and unforgettable experience.
• Variety: “Kubrick’s final film is a visually stunning and intellectually stimulating exploration of marital anxieties. While the pacing may be slow for some, the film’s provocative themes and superb performances from Cruise and Kidman make it a compelling and thought-provoking experience. A fitting conclusion to a legendary career.

Audience Reactions

The dreamlike atmosphere and unsettling tone kept viewers on the edge of their seats.: Many viewers appreciated the film’s exploration of complex themes like sexuality, jealousy, and the nature of trust within a marriage.

Cruise and Kidman’s performances were widely praised for their raw emotional honesty.: The film sparked intense discussions about its meaning and interpretation, making it a thought-provoking experience.

Overall Consensus: Eyes Wide Shut is a divisive but ultimately compelling film that continues to generate discussion and debate. Its slow pace and ambiguous nature may not appeal to all viewers, but its exploration of complex themes and superb performances make it a rewarding cinematic experience for those willing to engage with its challenges.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Stanley Kubrick died just four days after presenting Warner Bros. with what was reported to be a final cut of the film.”
• “The European version of the film is completely uncensored, while the American release had computer-generated figures added to obscure the orgy scene to avoid an NC-17 rating.”
• “Kubrick meticulously recreated Greenwich Village on a sound stage in London, adding to the dreamlike, slightly off-kilter atmosphere of the film.”
• “Harvey Keitel was originally cast as Victor Ziegler, but was replaced by Sydney Pollack during production.”

🖥️ How to Watch Eyes Wide Shut?

Eyes Wide Shut is available for streaming purchase or rental on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check local listings for potential broadcast availability. While not always on subscription services, frequent sales offer opportunities for digital ownership. Check JustWatch to compare prices across different providers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Eyes Wide Shut, you might like these similar films:

• The Dreamers (2003): Explores themes of sexual exploration and altered states of reality within a confined, intimate setting.
• In the Realm of the Senses (1976): Deals with explicit sexuality and obsession in a way that challenges societal norms and expectations.
• After Hours (1985): Features a protagonist’s bizarre, night-long journey through an unfamiliar and increasingly surreal cityscape.
• The Game (1997): Presents a psychological thriller where the protagonist’s reality is questioned and manipulated by powerful, unseen forces.
• Mulholland Drive (2001): It has a dream-like and surreal quality that leaves the interpretation open to the viewer.

🛒 Eyes Wide Shut Related Products

• Eyes Wide Shut (Blu-ray): Experience Stanley Kubrick’s final masterpiece in stunning high-definition. This Blu-ray edition includes bonus features and behind-the-scenes footage, providing a deeper look into the film’s creation.
• Eyes Wide Shut: A Film Study (Paperback): Dive deeper into the themes, symbols, and hidden meanings of ‘Eyes Wide Shut’ with this comprehensive film study. Perfect for film students and cinephiles seeking a greater understanding of Kubrick’s vision.
• Masquerade Masks (Set of 2): Inspired by the iconic orgy scene, these elegant masquerade masks are perfect for costume parties or adding a touch of mystery to any occasion. Available in various styles and materials.
• Funko Pop! Tom Cruise – Dr. William Harford: A stylized and collectible vinyl figure of Tom Cruise as Dr. William Harford from Eyes Wide Shut, a perfect addition to any movie fan’s collection, displayed in the iconic cloak and mask from the movie.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Musica Ricercata II: Mesto, Rigido e Cerimoniale” – performed by György Ligeti
• “Strangers in the Night” – performed by Bert Kaempfert
• “I’m a Fool to Want You” – performed by Julie London

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Eyes Wide Shut – Red cloak unmasked !!! (film analysis)

Ever wondered who lurks beneath the Red Cloak in ‘Eyes Wide Shut’? Film analyst Rob Ager dives into the visual clues, offering a compelling theory that will intrigue any fan of Kubrick’s enigmatic masterpiece.

Eyes Wide Shut: The Game

Prepare to have your mind blown! Nerdwriter1’s analysis of ‘Eyes Wide Shut’ is a captivating journey into the film’s hidden depths, leaving you with a newfound appreciation for Kubrick’s storytelling genius.

Deconstructing Stanley Kubrick’s Eyes Wide Shut

Embark on an intellectual adventure with LowRes Wunderbred as they dissect ‘Eyes Wide Shut’, revealing the hidden layers and complexities that make this film an enduring masterpiece.

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