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A Scanner Darkly
A Scanner Darkly Image
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Metascore
73 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 33 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.1 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 99 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Starring: Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr., Winona Ryder
  • Summary: Based on legendary science-fiction author Philip K. Dick’s own experiences, A Scanner Darkly tells the darkly comedic, caustic, but deeply tragic tale of drug use in the modern world. The film plays like a graphic novel come to life with live-action photography overlaid with an advanced animation process -- a method known as interpolated rotoscoping, first employed in writer/director Richard Linklater’s 2001 film "Waking Life" -- to create a haunting version of America, seven years from now. (Warner Independent Pictures)… Expand
  • Director: Richard Linklater
  • Genre(s): Sci-Fi, Drama, Mystery, Thriller, Crime, Animation
  • Rating: R
  • Runtime: 100 min
  • More Details and Credits »

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 33
  3. Negative: 0 out of 33
  1. Premiere
    Reviewed by: Glenn Kenny
    100
    The most impressive thing about the film's technical wizardry is, finally, how unimpressive it is. One doesn't leave the movie with a mind blown by visual bedazzlement but with a soul shattered by the profound sense of tragedy Linklater and company so beautifully put across.
  2. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: Andrea Gronvall
    100
    The casting of Reeves in the lead role is inspired: who better than the star of "The Matrix" and its sequels, a trilogy that borrows heavily from Dick's sensibility and obsessions, to play a personality split through overindulgence in drugs and manipulation by outside forces he barely recognizes?
  3. Film Threat
    Reviewed by: Pete Vonder Haar
    60
    Isn't as dark or sinister as its source material, but it comes closer than any other filmed attempts to this point. It may only be a decent movie, but it's a pretty fine PKD adaptation.

See all 33 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 45 out of 61
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 61
  3. Negative: 13 out of 61
  1. CarolE.
    10
    I saw this movie at the premiere in Austin, Texas on June 28th and loved it. The animation enhances the drug mindset and it is riveting. Funny and serious at the same time. The music creates the perfect background for the eminent feeling of doom. Go see it!… Expand
    • 1 of 1 users said yes
  2. KentC.
    5
    Artistic creativity and vision isn't enough to change the confusing plot.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. Mike
    3
    Whats the deal with this director? I have seen all of his movies, and they all have one thing in common. They are extermely BORING! I am giving it a 3 only for the animations, which are ok. But nothing mind blowing. But I imagine it took them a long time to make. Alot of boring, meaningless dialog, with the "twist" at the end, which was very predictable.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

See all 61 User Reviews

Trailers

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