This Movie’s Shocking Final Act Left Audiences Traumatized—Will You Dare to Watch?

What was the last film that left you needing to hug your childhood teddy bear, wondering if you’d ever be the same again? For me—heck, for almost anyone who’s seen it—Requiem for a Dream fits that bill, and then some . Imagine a movie so unsettling, so haunting in every frame, that thinking about it years later feels like reopening a wound. Twenty-five years on, Darren Aronofsky’s psychological gut-punch isn’t just a “classic”—it’s a raw, unavoidable plunge into the gnawing jaws of addiction, and let’s be honest, no one stumbles into this film expecting a bedtime story . Stripped of Hollywood glamour and big-name glitz, it grabs you by the throat with a story that anyone with a pulse (and a hint of self-destructive curiosity) can relate to, even if it’s behind a trembling hand . Why do we willingly watch something so dark? Maybe—just maybe—we secretly yearn to see the depths we’d rather not talk about at dinner parties . If you’re brave enough to peer again into that abyss, or you’re wondering what all the psychological fuss is about, you’ll find all the details you can handle right here. LEARN MORE

Warning: This article contains discussion of drug addiction which some readers may find distressing

There’s a film from 25 years ago which has one of the most bone-chilling endings you’ll ever see.

In case you haven’t seen it before, the 2000 psychological drama is considered one of the classic films of its time.

It isn’t a blockbuster, nor does it feature many A-list celebrities, but it has left its mark on all who have seen it.

Requiem for a Dream, directed by Darren Aronofsky, is based on the 1978 novel of the same name, focusing on the themes of addiction and in particular, drug use.

While the entire film is considered quite dark and powerful when exploring the lives and ambitions of the four main characters, it’s the final scene that sticks out to a lot of viewers, many of whom have vowed never to watch it again.

The film has been praised by critics and viewers (Summit Entertainment)

Warning: Spoilers ahead

The title follows Harry, played by Jared Leto, Tyrone (Marlon Wayans), Marion (Jennifer Connelly) and Harry’s mother Sara (Ellen Burstyn) as they navigate their way through addictions.

It’s not an easy watch, and while many Hollywood films look to get over their low point in the middle of the film before building up to a happy ending, this title ends at the character’s lowest point.

While the haunting orchestral score ‘Lux Aeterna’ plays in the background, we can see each character succumbing to their new realities as a result of their drug use.

Best friends Tyrone and Harry try to obtain some heroin on a trip to Florida, but their plan falls short, with the former being arrested and sent to prison, while the latter suffers with a bubbling infection in his arm, which he doesn’t feel due to his excessive use of drugs.

Tyron goes through a rough withdrawal process, while being humiliated by prison guards, while Harry becomes an amputee due to his infection, and dreams of a life with his girlfriend Marion.

He soon realises that this will never happen, as he encouraged her to engage in prostitution as a means to make more money for their addiction, and to fulfil their dream of opening a store.

Gruesome scenes of Marion participating in humiliating group sex acts are shown, followed by scenes of her only being able to rest after taking drugs.

Harry’s mother, Sara, has become addicted to amphetamines in a bid to lose weight after getting a call to appear on her favourite TV show.

As a result, she hallucinates her superstardom on the screen, all while being given electroconvulsive therapy in a psych ward, to her friends’ horror.

While we see her on stage being welcomed by the audience, the real Sara is instead a lifeless body of what she used to be.

The couple had a dream of opening their own store, but sadly their addictions got in the way of their plans (Summit Entertainment)

At the end, all four are seen in the fetal position as they are forced to live on, trapped in the realities created by their addiction.

It’s a chilling ending to a dark film, with many viewers taking to social media to share what they thought of the movie, as one admitted they ‘didn’t want to be home alone, it was that disturbing’.

Another wrote: “I still haven’t been able to, nor want to watch the movie completely again. 20 years later and the visceral feeling of discomfort is as fresh as day, I was scared with it.”

A third added: “Watched it once and was f**king haunted for like two weeks. Mad respect for the craft, and I will never watch that movie again.”

Requiem for a Dream is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.

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