Darren Aronofsky’s Black Swan was seen for the first time last night at the Venice Film Festival and that means reviews have begun pouring on to the internet. Unfortunately, for the most part, only a certain type of reviewer attends the Venice Film Festival. You know the type, they think using big words while writing long a plot synopsis makes them seem insightful. So while it’s a limited early sample we at least have a taste of how people are reacting to Aronofsky’s film and so far, the reaction to it seems to depend on how far each person is willing to go with him down the rabbit hole.

Those who’ve been willing simply to go with it came away loving it, calling it one of the year’s best films, blown away by Natalie Portman’s performance and the sheer audacity of it. Those who weren’t able to let go found it over the top and excessive. The good news is that the former seems to be the larger group and Aronofsky may have another audaciously fantastic film on his hands.

Here’s a quick sampling of what Venice Film Fest reviewers are saying about Black Swan:

“There will, I suspect, be those left cold by the film’s more mannered instincts, or those who feel it’s a genre-film concession too far for the director. Either way, however, “Black Swan” cements Aronofsky’s place as one of the biggest and most unruly thinkers working in the only notionally small aesthetic of American independent cinema.” - Guy Lodge, In Contention

“Trying to coax a horror-thriller out of the world of ballet doesn't begin to work for Darren Aronofsky.” - Kirk Honeycutt, THR

“Powerful, gripping and always intriguing, it also features a lead performance from Natalie Portman that elevates her from a substantial leading actress to major star likely to be lifting awards in the near future.” - David Gritten, Telegraph

“With Natalie Portman, in the demanding leading role, equaling her director in unquestioned commitment, the central issue for the viewer is how far one is willing to follow the film down the road to oblivion for art’s sake.” - Todd McCarthy, IndieWire