Eyes Wide Shut
“Eyes Wide Shut” is an epic and mysterious Drama by Stanley Kubrick. The plot is almost identical to the book “Traumnovelle” (Dream Story) by Arthur Schnitzler. The movie takes you on a scary journey, that finally feels like waking up from a nightmare. It is not for the easy stomach and Kubrick’s directing makes it worthwhile! There is a reason why the movie is so highly rated on IMDb and by me… Be aware that this review contains spoilers. I advise you to watch the film first.
I watched the movie twice in short succession and read the short novel. It made a lasting impression, and I want to share my perspective on its meaning. I believe the concept is Matrix-like, which is especially underlined by Kubrick’s version. This article solely focuses on the movie.
Thesis: Parallels
The film has many moments that link to each other or have references within. Kubrick also likes to mirror people, things, and meanings.
Before I start, the number 2 plays an important metaphorical role:
Throughout the movie, Bill visits the prostitute Domino’s apartment twice; He talks to the daughter of a deceased patient two times; he aggressively flirts with two women at the beginning of the movie; Two people have to die for Bill to survive (The prostitute Mandy and the pianist Nightingale); These two victims are both escorted and most likely executed by two man dressed in black; Bill visits the Café Sonata twice; He splits his hundred-dollar bill for the cab driver in two; Also, the daughter of the owner of the costume rental interacts with two Asian men.
The countless parallels and references in the movie cannot be overlooked. I want to name a few, but there are many more to be found:
In the first scene, Bill’s wife Alice is dancing with a Hungarian man, who tries to seduce her. At the same time, Bill is flirting with two almost identical-looking women.
He then gets called to Victor Ziegler’s bathroom, where the unconscious Mandy is lying naked on a couch. A picture of a woman in the same pose is hanging right above her.
Another scene shows Alice dressing herself. The movie cuts to Bill, examining a female patient. Both women are exposed and their breasts form a (doubled) parallel between the two images.
Similarly, while Alice spends time with their daughter, Bill examines a young boy of similar age. They both take on a parental role.
All members of the secret society wear masks. When Bill returns, he is only being looked at through the camera in front of the house. In both scenes, he becomes a victim of the organization’s anonymous gaze.
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Victor Ziegler and the red coat also have striking similarities:
Victor is standing in front of a large Billiard table, tapping his finger, playing with a pool ball and directly pointing at Bill to warn him – This almost perfectly resembles the scene with the red coat, who is walking on a large red carpet, tapping a staff on the floor, swinging a round incense vessel and also pointing directly at Bill while warning him.
Moreover, Victor Ziegler hosts a mysterious, seemingly sexual party, where Bill only knows the pianist – The red coat also represents the host of the anonymous, obviously sexual party, where Bill also only knows the pianist.
Bill meets Mandy at both parties, which links both scenes yet again.
Another striking parallel is seen between Bill and his wife Alice. It is so obvious that it creates grounds for conspiracies about the movie:
Bill comes home from an unreal experience at the masked ball. He is forced to see dozens of people copulating, gets uncovered by the society of anonymous men, and finally is exposed (without a mask) in front of them.
Similarly, Alice dreams of an almost identical situation (her dream does not appear in the book). She is intimate with men she does not know whilst not being alone. She runs into a deserted city, where there is no humanity left, as she also feels exposed.
Shockingly, most men from the anonymous society merely watch what is happening during the mansion party. They look at the gratification of animalistic desires while hiding behind their masks. This not only happens to Bill but also to the viewer himself. He is anonymous behind the screen and observes the happening. A final parallel to the viewer gets drawn by breaking the fourth wall.
Antithesis: Contrast
On the other hand, contrast plays a big role throughout the movie. Even the scenes showing parallels are often opposing to one another.
The more you look, the more you will find contrasts in almost every scene:
While Alice is changing at home, Bill examines another woman.
While Alice is at home with their daughter, Bill is spending time with another boy.
An obvious contrast (also in nature) is the one between man and woman. In the movie, this contrast often ignites tension.
Domino is very poor and formulates that she does not care about time. Meanwhile, Bill is well off, having elegant clothing and portraying generosity. Additionally, he calls Alice to tell her about his long absence and time management.
Domino’s apartment itself is messy and dirty during Bill’s first visit. The second time it is not only cleanly maintained but also another woman expects him.
The Christmas lights throughout the whole movie are in stark contrast to what truly is going on. The festive illusion hides the fact that money and power rule the world. The men possessing both will do what they want while hiding behind a facade of Christmas decorations.
The owner of the costume shop is quite upset at the two Asian men during the night, even wanting to call the police. When Bill comes back the next morning, all three now treat each other respectfully.
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There is also the contrast that comes from inequality captured in Kubrick’s film:
The rich have huge mansions, doyens of butlers, and throw extravagant parties. They seem not to care about food but only consume alcohol to follow their chosen desires.
Contrarily, Domino’s apartment is small and dirty. She only has company for her work and has no luxury in her life (even gets diagnosed with AIDS later on). On Bill’s first visit, we can spot dirty dishes in the sink, which shows her need to follow her survival instincts.
From a purely cinematographic perspective, the music itself portrays deep contrast within:
Deep tones are followed by high ones, contributing to an eerie feeling. The music seems to have no beginning or end, which creates tension together with the opposing notes in the minor.
The music at the ceremony of the masked ball is a reversed church melody. The contrast between the Sacred (image of the church) and Satanic (of the secret society) is emphasized.
Synthesis: Contrasting Parallels
The thesis and antithesis show that the movie is about both parallels and contrasts rather than just one. Within most described scenes, parallels can be found next to contrasting ideas. Themes are never clearly separated but go hand in hand. I believe the combination of the two aspects is what “Eyes Wide Shut” is truly about.
The masked ball and Ziegler’s party form the first evidence of my synthesis. Both are about keeping secrets and cheating on spouses. There are almost more servants than guests and the parties serve for the fulfillment of chosen desires. There is a ballroom at both parties and basic needs like food and water are neglected.
Contrarily, Ziegler’s party is public, well-decorated, and upholds illusions. The masked ball is the raw truth that exposes what goes on behind closed doors in anonymous circles. Moreover, the colors at the two parties are in stark contrast.
The opposing colors red and blue play a crucial role in the movie. They often appear next to each other and signal a choice between the truth of animalistic behavior compared to the deception through lies. The general theme is familiar from the movie “Matrix” with the red pill (ugly truth) and blue pill (happy lie):
Red continuously appears with forbidden pleasure. It appears in the form of red doors (Domino’s apartment), red carpets (masked ball; Ziegler’s office), red clothing (Pianist’s tie is blue with red dots on it; Bill’s hoodie in the last scene is flashing red; red coat at masked ball), red decorations (red curtain when Alice tells about marine officer while Bill lies on red bed), red signs (Stop-sign when Bill gets pursued), and many more.
Blue occurs with the themes of innocence and illusion. The blue lighting (Billiard room when Ziegler tries to convince Bill of an obvious lie; when Alice is smoking marijuana), blue clothing (Bill’s blue tie in the beginning), and counting.
Finally, Bill chooses the truth (or the color red) in the end. Alice senses his decision and expresses her relief, that both survived Bill’s dangerous endeavor. She affirms his decision by stating that they both are awake now (could be straight out of “The Matrix”). Fittingly, the Christmas shop is filled with glaring red colors, while the kids don’t realize it and are happily running around. In the last scene, Bill turns off the lights of their Christmas tree (they were shining the whole movie) and thus makes clear that he does not believe in the festive illusion any longer.
