MovieChat Forums > Eyes Wide Shut (1999) Discussion > No suspense

No suspense

posted 2 years ago by [deleted]
19 replies | jump to latest

I've heard a lot of people attempt to explain away the lack of payoff as far as the "thriller" part of this movie is concerned. The audience is set up for some giant reveal and then it's played off like it's nothing to be concerned about. This is something David Lynch or the Coen Bros would do. Nowhere before this movie in Kubrick's work does he do anything like that. Kubrick told complete stories. This story is not complete.

My question is, do you think Kubrick just decided to be a smart ass in his old age, or are there some major pieces missing from the version of the movie we've been allowed to see?

[–] Chester (223) 2 years ago

There’s tons of suspense, and the fact that it only gets partially resolved is what keeps the important questions alive in your mind. This is perfectly in keeping with Kubrick who often uses tactical mystery - why is Jack in the 1921 photo in The Overlook? Why is Dave now a giant planet-sized ‘starchild’?

Everything is where it should be in Eyes Wide Shut.

[–] [deleted] 2 years ago

I'm thrilled the movie works for you.

[–] Chester (223) 2 years ago

I’m thrilled that EWS is finally being appreciated for the masterpiece that it is.

[–] BillySlater (4246) 2 years ago

I disagree that there is no suspense just because the ending is ambiguous. The movie is suspenseful pretty much the whole way through. Hitchcock did the same thing in Suspicion and he was considered the master of suspense.

[–] cbsteven (229) 2 years ago

Was there meant to be thrills or suspense though? There's more an atmosphere of threat/menace, a secret world that Bill is wise not to get too involved with.

[–] [deleted] 2 years ago

Every time I watch the movie, I'm awed by some of the moments that are clearly Kubrick reminding us he was/is the GOAT. But at the end of the movie, every time, I'm left with the same question: So what? No other Kubrick movie has left me feeling that way.

[–] BillySlater (4246) a year ago

Not a fan of the ending either, but that doesn't stop me from considering this film an all-time classic. To me this is Kubrick's best!

[–] Melton (4927) a year ago

How would you have preferred it to end?

[–] TandyMan (11187) a year ago

I think the movie has many suspenseful sequences in it. But overall it falls flat, especially in the end. Who knows. Maybe they should have killed him in the end. That might have worked better. Because things all kind of work out, there's no dread left in his fate.

[–] Heisenberg (6730) a year ago

I am not a fan of conspiracy theories, but I think, being so underwhelming in its end, that there some major pieces missing from the version of the movie we've been allowed to see that Kubrick would have given us, had he not died.

[–] [deleted] a year ago

I agree.

[–] TheHardSell (1882) a year ago

This is suspenseful as hell. The terrible "New York" backlot streets however was without suspense and fake as fuck. Great film. Still holds up.

[–] Melton (4927) 9 months ago

I actually love the fake New York streets, reminds me of all those Hitchcock classics that were all shot on set, feels like a play. The artificiality adds to the dreaminess of the story.

Similarly, I like the fake neighbourhood in The Burbs. I’d love to live on that street.

[–] TheHardSell (1882) 9 months ago

That neighbourhood was amazing!

[–] Melton (4927) 9 months ago

Right?

I think you’ll come around to those fake New York streets in EWS, they’re really cozy and fun.

[–] bobbydallas (8620) a year ago

the audience is left wondering how long Dr. Bill will stay alive after the film ends.
he still knows too much..

[–] Melton (4927) a year ago

He’ll be fine. He got the message, and Ziegler likes to keep him around.

If they wanted him dead he already would be.

[–] avortac4 (3751) 9 months ago

The thing is, once you realize what the name means, and that this is not purely fiction... that should give you SOME kind of chill that's more poignant and better than any fiction-based 'suspense'.

Why would you want to be suspended anyway, instead of being shown the truth and reality of this bizarro-world..?

[–] Melton (4927) 9 months ago

Questions are more powerful than answers, they keep the mind engaged and chewing over the problem. Closure kills this. Great filmmakers like Lynch, Hitchcock, Cronenberg, Kubrick understand this.