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Explanation of the film
"Eyes Wide Shut"
"Eyes Wide Shut"
Stanley Kubrick's film "Eyes Wide Shut" is a complex and multi-layered story from 1999 that touches on themes of sexuality, marriage, human desire and the secrets of the elite. In this work, as in many of Kubrick's films, the director uses symbolism to convey his ideas to the viewer.
The film's plot
Based on Arthur Schnitzler's 1926 novella Traumnovelle (The Story of Dreams), the film's plot is transposed from early 20th century Vienna to 1990s New York City.
The film follows Dr William "Bill" Harford (Tom Cruise), who spends two surreal nights on sexual adventures (including an encounter with a mysterious cult) in New York City when his wife Alice (Nicole Kidman, Cruise's wife at the time) reveals that she had a very vivid erotic fantasy about another man a year earlier.
The viewer mostly follows the adventures of Bill, Tom Cruise's character, as Nicole Kidman, who is always shown half-naked, practically disappears from the film after the first half hour.
The film follows Dr William "Bill" Harford (Tom Cruise), who spends two surreal nights on sexual adventures (including an encounter with a mysterious cult) in New York City when his wife Alice (Nicole Kidman, Cruise's wife at the time) reveals that she had a very vivid erotic fantasy about another man a year earlier.
The viewer mostly follows the adventures of Bill, Tom Cruise's character, as Nicole Kidman, who is always shown half-naked, practically disappears from the film after the first half hour.
And we wonder if everything that happened to the hero is true, or if he's dreaming. Bill has problems and disappointments, but he is quite balanced for Kubrick's protagonist. He is even-tempered, polite, generally balanced, a good parent, sympathetic to working class people and eventually confesses his affairs to his wife.
The action takes place at Christmas and in the opening scene we see a festive party, but overall this doesn't play a big part in the plot.
The film is accompanied by an absolutely stunning soundtrack, which gives the film an unsettling atmosphere. The entire film, especially the scenes during and after the masquerade, carries an overwhelming sense of dread. We know that something sinister is going on with the cult and its actions, but we never find out exactly what it is. It's even more disturbing to think about what the cult might have done to the masked woman who sacrificed herself to save Bill, assuming Ziegler is lying.
The action takes place at Christmas and in the opening scene we see a festive party, but overall this doesn't play a big part in the plot.
The film is accompanied by an absolutely stunning soundtrack, which gives the film an unsettling atmosphere. The entire film, especially the scenes during and after the masquerade, carries an overwhelming sense of dread. We know that something sinister is going on with the cult and its actions, but we never find out exactly what it is. It's even more disturbing to think about what the cult might have done to the masked woman who sacrificed herself to save Bill, assuming Ziegler is lying.
Unravelling the secret society
One of the key storylines of the film is the secret society into which the main character, Dr Bill Harford, infiltrates after his wife confesses to intimate fantasies. Bill, gripped by jealousy and anxiety, goes in search of adventure, which eventually leads him to a mysterious masquerade ball. This scene epitomises the darker sides of human sexuality and the power hidden behind the closed doors of the elite.
The secret society shown in the film is not just a collection of rich and powerful people, but also symbolises the world of power that controls and manipulates people's desires and fears. Through the symbolism of masks, Kubrick demonstrates how people hide behind facades, hiding their true intentions and desires. These masks can be taken as a metaphor for social pressure and the role we play in society, trying to conform to its expectations.
But did the scene in the mansion happen in reality, or was it all just a dream?
The secret society shown in the film is not just a collection of rich and powerful people, but also symbolises the world of power that controls and manipulates people's desires and fears. Through the symbolism of masks, Kubrick demonstrates how people hide behind facades, hiding their true intentions and desires. These masks can be taken as a metaphor for social pressure and the role we play in society, trying to conform to its expectations.
But did the scene in the mansion happen in reality, or was it all just a dream?
Very subtle hints in the film make it clear that what was happening was not real. For example, all answers slip away from Bill as the plot progresses: all of his prospective sexual encounters come to naught, and almost everyone who can provide those answers disappears off-screen. Many scenes also end abruptly, as in a dream, and logic seems to be missing in many aspects. After all, the film is called Eyes Wide Shut and the novella is called Traumnovelle ("Dream Novella").
Did the cult really intend to harm Bill, or was it all a sham? Was Mandy really killed instead of Bill, or did she just accidentally die of an overdose? Was Nick killed after being escorted out of the hotel, or was he just beaten up a bit, fired and sent home? Then there's also the question of the nature of the cult, which could either be a real occult conspiracy or just a glorified sex party for the world's elite. Ziegler tells Bill that on all these issues the latter option is true, but can he be believed? He doesn't even mention Mandy's fate until Bill points out that she accidentally dies the day after, so he could just be making it all up on the spot.
Did the cult really intend to harm Bill, or was it all a sham? Was Mandy really killed instead of Bill, or did she just accidentally die of an overdose? Was Nick killed after being escorted out of the hotel, or was he just beaten up a bit, fired and sent home? Then there's also the question of the nature of the cult, which could either be a real occult conspiracy or just a glorified sex party for the world's elite. Ziegler tells Bill that on all these issues the latter option is true, but can he be believed? He doesn't even mention Mandy's fate until Bill points out that she accidentally dies the day after, so he could just be making it all up on the spot.
And where did the mask in his wife's bed come from?
In general, Kubrick leaves many questions open to interpretation by the audience. There is no unequivocal answer here.
In general, Kubrick leaves many questions open to interpretation by the audience. There is no unequivocal answer here.
Explanation of the ending
The film's finale, in which Bill returns home to his wife after disturbing and frightening events, is filled with ambiguity. Bill confesses to his wife that he has experienced real fear and has realised the depth of his emotions, both jealousy and love.
This confession is a key moment in the film, underscoring its underlying theme of the vulnerability of human relationships and the need for honesty.
This confession is a key moment in the film, underscoring its underlying theme of the vulnerability of human relationships and the need for honesty.
Nevertheless, the film does not provide a clear answer to all questions. Many viewers continue to debate whether the events surrounding the secret society were real or just a figment of Bill's imagination. The ending leaves a sense of unease and uncertainty, which is one of Kubrick's trademarks.
What Kubrick was trying to say
Eyes Wide Shut raises several major themes:
- Problems of commitment to monogamous relationships.
- Hypocrisy and contradiction. The title is itself a contradiction, as "eyes wide open" and "eyes closed" go together despite being opposites.
- Paranoia, whether it be affairs with your wife, sex that is more dangerous than just the fear of contracting AIDS, or a secret society that is after your life and/or the lives of those around you.
- The negative nature of dreams. Much of the film can be interpreted as a nightmare that greatly affects Bill.
- Problems of commitment to monogamous relationships.
- Hypocrisy and contradiction. The title is itself a contradiction, as "eyes wide open" and "eyes closed" go together despite being opposites.
- Paranoia, whether it be affairs with your wife, sex that is more dangerous than just the fear of contracting AIDS, or a secret society that is after your life and/or the lives of those around you.
- The negative nature of dreams. Much of the film can be interpreted as a nightmare that greatly affects Bill.
Kubrick, known for his desire to explore the depths of the human psyche, created in Eyes Wide Shut a film about the conflict between repressed desires and external obligations. Through the characters of Bill and his wife, Kubrick shows how personal fantasies and dreams can become a source of anxiety, jealousy and insecurity in relationships.
The film also raises questions about how society controls our desires and fears. Kubrick demonstrates this through a mysterious atmosphere, secret rituals and symbolism that reflects elitism and inaccessibility. The secret society in the film is a metaphor for all those social and cultural structures that guide our behaviour, forcing us to follow certain rules and roles.
In this way, Kubrick not only tells a story of jealousy and desire, but also questions the very nature of human freedom in society. How far can we go in search of fulfilment of our desires? And are we really free if we are always being watched "with eyes wide shut"?
The film also raises questions about how society controls our desires and fears. Kubrick demonstrates this through a mysterious atmosphere, secret rituals and symbolism that reflects elitism and inaccessibility. The secret society in the film is a metaphor for all those social and cultural structures that guide our behaviour, forcing us to follow certain rules and roles.
In this way, Kubrick not only tells a story of jealousy and desire, but also questions the very nature of human freedom in society. How far can we go in search of fulfilment of our desires? And are we really free if we are always being watched "with eyes wide shut"?
The film With Eyes Wide Shut is a work of art full of metaphors and symbols that leave the viewer with many questions. Kubrick masterfully creates an atmosphere of mystery and suspense, exploring the depths of human psychology and interaction with society.