The first photos of a quite striking Natalie Portman, from director Darren Aronofsky’s new film, “Black Swan,” have been released,” evoking the mystery at the heart of the psychological thriller.

Natalie Portman

In the first photo, Portman’s ghost-white face is contrasted by blood-red lipstick and strange, almost cat-like contacts. (Her dramatically well-powdered complexion is coincidentally reminiscent of her Padme Amidala character in “Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace.”) In the second image, Portman, wearing the same dark eye makeup, lunges forward in a black tutu.

“Swan” is the story of a New York City ballerina, Nina (played by Portman), who is cast in a production of “Swan Lake,” navigating the opposing forces of her mother (Barbara Hershey), her demanding dance instructor (Vincent Cassel), and the enigmatic, seductive rival (Mila Kunis) who leads her down a dark path.