Step into the enigmatic and seductive world of Eyes Wide Shut (1999), Stanley Kubrick’s final masterpiece. Starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, this hypnotic psychological drama explores themes of desire, fidelity, and identity beneath layers of dreamlike imagery and mysterious symbolism. From masked rituals to crumbling relationships, the film invites interpretation and provokes endless curiosity.
Think you’ve uncovered all the secrets behind the masks? Take this 10-question trivia challenge and prove your knowledge of one of cinema’s most elusive and fascinating films.
Eyes Wide Shut Trivia Questions & Answers
1) Who directed Eyes Wide Shut (1999)?
Correct Answer: Stanley Kubrick
Eyes Wide Shut was the final film by visionary director Stanley Kubrick, known for his meticulous filmmaking and enigmatic narratives. Kubrick passed away just days after completing the final cut, adding further mystique to this dreamlike exploration of sexuality, marriage, and hidden desire.
2) Which actor plays the lead role of Dr. Bill Harford?
Correct Answer: Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise stars as Dr. Bill Harford, a wealthy New York doctor whose carefully ordered world begins to unravel after his wife’s confession. Cruise delivers a restrained and often ambiguous performance that perfectly matches the film’s surreal, uncertain tone.
3) Who plays Bill’s wife, Alice Harford?
Correct Answer: Nicole Kidman
Nicole Kidman plays Alice Harford, whose sensual confession about a near-infidelity sends Bill into a downward spiral of jealousy and curiosity. Her character embodies both emotional vulnerability and sexual agency, challenging traditional gender roles in the context of marriage.
4) What profession does Bill Harford have in the film?
Correct Answer: Doctor
Dr. Harford’s profession as a medical doctor provides him social privilege and access — but also represents clinical detachment. His descent into the sensual underworld contrasts with his otherwise rational, upper-class lifestyle, highlighting the emotional void beneath appearances.
5) What event triggers Bill’s psychological and erotic journey?
Correct Answer: Alice’s confession about a past fantasy
During a tense conversation, Alice reveals that she once considered abandoning her entire life with Bill for a fleeting fantasy involving a naval officer. This revelation destroys his sense of control and monogamy, igniting his obsessive, night-long journey into temptation and self-discovery.
6) Where does Bill discover the masked secret society?
Correct Answer: At a country mansion
Bill infiltrates a mysterious gathering held at a grand estate outside of the city. The mansion, shrouded in secrecy, becomes the setting for a ritualistic orgy that pushes him deep into a surreal and dangerous realm. The contrast between the lavish setting and the eerie ceremony is one of the film’s most haunting elements.
7) What must participants wear to enter the secret gathering?
Correct Answer: Masks and robes
All attendees must wear elaborate masks and black robes, concealing their identities during the sexually charged ritual. The masks serve not only as a literal disguise but also symbolize the hidden desires and facades we wear in society.
8) What is the password to gain access to the secret society’s ritual?
Correct Answer: Fidelio
The password “Fidelio” — which references Beethoven’s only opera — translates to “faithful” or “fidelity.” Its ironic use adds thematic weight to a film obsessed with betrayal, loyalty, and the fragility of trust in relationships.
9) What happens to the masked woman who sacrifices herself for Bill?
Correct Answer: She dies under mysterious circumstances
A masked woman warns Bill to leave the ritual and later offers herself as a substitute punishment when he is caught. He later learns she died of a drug overdose — or so he’s told. Her fate remains ambiguous and feeds into the film’s pervasive sense of conspiracy and unresolved threat.
10) How does the film end?
Correct Answer: Alice suggests they make love immediately
In the final scene, Bill confesses everything to Alice, and instead of breaking apart, they reconnect emotionally. Alice simply says they should be “grateful we survived through all our adventures — whether real or only a dream” and concludes with: “We should be grateful… and stop… and f***.” The ending is ambiguous, blending dream and reality, but it ultimately affirms intimacy over illusion.
