A month later, I got around to watching it. I think it's actually not too bad. Ellen Burstyn is an all-time great actress. She delivers here. There's a commendable anti-drug message. The filming style conveys a tripping vibe, as intended; but I admit that film kinda overdoes it. I give it a 7.5/10

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I watched 2000’s “Requiem for a Dream” on 03/20/2026 when I saw it available on one of the free apps on my Roku. It has a high score on IMDB, and Burstyn got an Oscar nomination. Thus, I went into the movie with some high expectations. I think it’s a solid movie overall

The movie, at least as I saw it, has a fairly straightforward point about addictions. The four main characters are addicted to drugs (i.e. heroin and diet pills), and they suffer ruination as a result. In that sense, the movie conveys a standard anti-drug message. On another layer, I think the film also explores the motivations for why people become addicted, arguing that low self-esteem, loneliness, escapism, and purposelessness are some of the causes. For example, Burstyn turns to drugs because she’s an overweight, aging widow; and the drugs make her feel better about her body and social status. Leto and Wayans turn to drugs partly because, in the absence of other goals, being a successful dealer is perhaps the only viable material goal to which they can aspire.

To be frank, the message of this movie, while relevant and commendable, is not too original. There are many drug movies out there ... The movie's bigger draw might be the filming style. There’s an intense score. There are many dreamy sequences. There are rapid camera cuts. There are also some Spike Lee-ish scenes of a moving camera right in front of a character’s face as he/she walks forward.

The filming style sometimes had a cool effect, creating a trippy vibe. I felt like I were right in the character’s heads when they were intoxicated. But I have to admit --- I wish the film reined it in. The score and filming style eventually lost effect from over-use, and I began to get so annoyed: I think I even felt the comings of a bad headache because of the score and filming style.

Ellen Burstyn gives a great acting performance. The fat-suit and prosthetics look credible, and she delivers a convincing scene where she talks to Leto about why being on TV is important to her. I think she was deserving of her Oscar nomination. Marlon Wayans does OK in a dramatic role. Leto and Connelly are serviceable.

7.5/10.

Agree with OP. Requiem for a Dream is a bottom tier avant-garde slop film. It has no redeeming qualities.