Before ‘Him,’ Marlon Wayans Gave a Harrowing Performance in Darren Aronofsky’s Best Film

Marlon Wayansis one of the few television stars who transitioned into cinematic roles with ease, as he is still appearing in major films nearly thirty years after his breakout role in the sitcom In Living Color. While he largely initially appeared in comedic films that shared the sensibilities with his earlier work, Wayans is an actor with gravitas, and has shown his ability to take on darker roles. Few films offered him a better opportunity to show his serious side than Requiem for a Dream, the second film ever directed by American director Darren Aronofsky. With its powerful examination of addiction and illness, Requiem for a Dream is often listed as one of the most upsetting films ever made.