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'I saw the darkest film ever - it's so depressing, viewers refuse to watch again'

Daily Star reporter Bekka Barnard took a deep dive into arguably the most depressing film of the 21st century which has left viewers vowing never to rewatch the bleak and dismal flick

I was not expecting to be emotionally scarred when I switched on Requiem for a Dream.

The 2000 film features a big name cast, including Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, Marlon Wayans and Ellen Burstyn and if youve never seen it, youll never expect whats coming. Id been warned and had seen the hype around the most depressing film youll ever watch, but nothing could have prepared me for the horror that ensued.

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The psychological drama follows the lives of the four characters as they navigate their way through addiction and some of the most gut-wrenching situations youll ever witness. Watching the steady deterioration of the four protagonists, who intrigue you but also have you absolutely repulsed, will keep you gripped until the very end.

[Harry and Marion are two star-crossed lovers destined for doom]

Harry and Marion are two star-crossed lovers destined for doom

Harry, played by Leto, Marion, played by Connelly, and Tyrone, played by Wayne, are all addicted to heroin and spend the duration of the film battling with finding drugs, withdrawal and relapse as they attempt to score by doing, quite literally, anything they can. Perhaps most heart-breaking of all is Saras story. Ellen plays a woman that so desperately wants to reconnect with her son, who simply doesnt give a sh** as hes deep in the clutches of addiction.

[Ellen Burstyn earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress]

Ellen Burstyn earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress

By getting hooked on appetite-suppressant amphetamines in an attempt to crash diet her way into wearing her favourite red dress once more, Sara spirals arguably harder than the rest of them. At least the other three had some sort of idea what they were getting themselves in for - innocent Sara had no idea how the medication was going to ruin her life.

While the stars simultaneously ingest the drugs, the fleeting visuals and unsettling audio swirl together to make a teeth-clenching symphony that shows the experience of an intense, system reset come up. For a moment, viewers are treated to bright colours and a short-lived sense of release - a perfect portrayal of how Harry, Marion, Tyrone and Sara feel as they chase their next hit.

[Tyrone's final shot left me with a tear in my eye]

Tyrone's final shot left me with a tear in my eye

The sweat-drenched scenes, dizzying special effects and horrifying consequences of the characters actions (which includes an amputated arm and a labour-intensive prison sentence) make it understandable as to why many viewers opt not to put themselves through this emotional descent into madness more than once.

The film quite literally puts you smack in the middle of the inescapable horrors that these characters are living through. For a painstakingly long 1 hour and 42 minute run time, theres nowhere to look, no respite and no saving grace - you are well and truly plunged into their reality and theres absolutely no way out.

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