Dark City
User Score
8.5 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 57 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 53 out of 57
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 57
  3. Negative: 1 out of 57

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  1. johne.
    Oct 5, 2008
    10
    Fantastic visuals that still look good even compared to todays standards. I Have no complaints it is what it is, a piece of good inspired artwork. What more could you want?
  2. YoonMinC.
    Oct 1, 2003
    5
    A shameless sci-fi ripoff of noir, gothic, fascist, and dystopian(mainly Orwellian totalitarian)imagery, this film is overcast under(or eclipsed by)heavyhanded use of style and humorless buggyeyed execution. A bunch of extraterrestial cousins of Nosferatu with jellyfish brains and whiplashed necks manipulate the memories of humans to figure out the essence of the soul in order to save their race from extinction(couldn't they find a Pscyhology 101 textbook instead?). From what disease, you ask? How about from the boredom of being stuck in this movie? There's a nasty little kid among these vampire like critters but why only one? For effect, of course, but then this movie has nothing beyond effects, special, stylistic, or otherwise. The concept is, by now, a staple of sci-fi, with implications that are spiritual and political as well as scientific or Phenomenological. But, this movie, like the Japanese anime Akira, is too stupid to develop these themes and instead degenerates into a series of chases, fight sequences, and a final battle on the level of yoda and dooku tossing ever bigger objects at one another. This telepathic power is called 'tuning' and too bad one can't tune off this awful mess but there is the remote control... And, yet the movies isn't entirely without virtue. First, there is the obvious ambition, which in our summer blockbuster saturated culture, counts for something. There's also the commitment from actors; William Hurt is particularly good though Kiefer Sutherland is unconving as geek doctor and hollow cheeked Jude Law is shallow and lackluster as the Chosen One. Jennifer Connelly, though hardly a talent, has grace and beauty and knows how to use them. The CGI effects, though not overwhelming and even murky, stretch into something resembling boldness though never originality. And, it's generally well-paced and suspenseful enough if you want to tune your mind off. A sci-fi in the Terry Gilliam mode, excessive and inflated but hollow. Finally, I think it would have been more interesting not to have vilified the vampire folk and their agenda, for after all, they are only seeking survival. Their means may be evil but their impulse surely isn't. … Expand
  3. pinattar
    Jan 14, 2012
    10
    great sc-fi film, really interesting. the plot isnt too complex, and they tell you wants happening. the acting is good, although i didnt like Kiefer Sutherland character at first but he grew on me. (spoiler ahead) [[a nice twist, that i wasnt expecting.]] i highly recommend it, can think of anything wrong with.
  4. Jailhouse_McGee
    Nov 30, 2012
    9
    A visually arresting, mysterious science-fiction "noir" detective story. As the plot develops, the viewer is confronted with questions about the very essence of humanity, and whether our world is really so real as we think. Very re-watchable!
  5. D.Cole
    Aug 19, 2003
    10
    Absolutely awesome. Brings to life the true "Gotham City" that I wished Batman had really brought. Matrix similarities are obvious, but it was made first, so it gets credit where credit is due.
  6. BradJ.
    Jan 7, 2004
    9
    Not perfect, but damn close. Solid performances by Connely and Sewell. An outstanding performance by William Hurt, he was truly cast into a perfect roll. Overall a fantastic movie that suffers from one of the worst taglines ever.
  7. [Anonymous]
    Jan 9, 2006
    10
    Good.
  8. JamesK.
    Jul 15, 2009
    9
    It was entertaining and deep, it also looks utterly superb.
  9. AadhaarV.
    Feb 9, 2003
    10
    Good God one movie I just cant forget. AWESOME!!!!!
  10. Jack
    May 28, 2003
    10
    Loony, crazy, way over the top, and nearly a masterpiece!
  11. RalphW.
    May 16, 2004
    8
    I really enjoyed this movie. It had a gripping story that kept me captivated the entire duration of the movie. The plot was a bit choppy in places and Kiefer's performance was a bit below par. But otherwise excellent viewing.
  12. DavidW.
    Jul 6, 2005
    10
    Visionary filmaking a wonder to see. I loved it !
  13. BenR.
    Mar 17, 2006
    7
    I have to say the writing was excellent, very twisty, and it keeps you interested, guessing for more. But Proyas's directing was waaaaay to iver-the-top. Great writing, see it for the plot alone.
  14. AlG.
    Aug 28, 2002
    10
    Incredibly inventive. The last time I saw it, I noticed a number of overlapping concepts and themes with "The Matrix." Rufus Sewell is the most under-utilized actor in film.
  15. EnderW
    Jan 26, 2008
    8
    Great movie. Two of my biggest gripes about the movie are supposedly going to be fixed in the director's cut (which should hopefully be released soon): - The unnecessary intro at the beginning which ruins the plot. - The shallow exploration of many of the ideas in the movie (Proyas stated that the director's cut adds a good 10-20 minutes of extra scenes that further develop and explore the plot and story).… Expand
  16. RamonL
    Sep 13, 2009
    9
    Visually stunning and extremely good sci-fi storyline. It's like "Brazil" meets "The Matrix".
  17. RecoveryRx
    Jan 23, 2012
    10
    One of the best sci-fi films ever made. Intricate plot and well explained also, genius quality. Simply amazing movie with awesome visuals and great acting too.
  18. House0fWolves_
    Dec 16, 2011
    9
    I really enjoyed this film. The fact that it was free, on Netflix Canada, certainly helped as well. All the same, it was very well done. Apart from that, I don't know what else to say.
  19. cameronmorewood
    Nov 17, 2012
    8
    Has a visionary coherence that echoes the late, great Stanley Kubrick. I do feel that it ended too quickly. I was entranced, and wanted to see more of the fascinating and haunting world Dark City was showing me.
  20. Compi24
    Nov 28, 2012
    5
    Although some of the thematic elements are pretty intriguing, "Dark City" is significantly held down by its rather silly stylistic elements and some hit or miss writing.
  21. Nesbitt10
    Jan 27, 2013
    7
    An imaginative sci-fi thriller with sensational production values/special effects--a vast noir metropolis landscape that seems to exist in an alternate time line, with elements of our present and past combined with visions from a futuristic comic book. Although its story doesn't add up when you analyze it afterward, the movie does take you on a visually arresting ride that offers many entertaining surprises. Director Alex Proyas rewrites movie rules, making its stand on visuals alone. It is hypnotic, haunting, and to be sure, dark. And there's nothing wrong with a movie that is simply sensational to look at.
    "Dark City" opens by immersing the audience in the midst of a fractured, nightmarish narrative. The protagonist, who later learns that his name is John Murdoch (Rufus Sewell), has amnesia. He begins his "awaking" as a full-grown adult naked in a bath tub, uncertain of how he got there. His only company in his hotel room is the nude body of a dead prostitute. Much like that plot, the main character here, and the audience as well, is thrown into the story without any idea of what's really happening. It's an effective tool as it puts the audience on a level playing field with the main character with similar motives.
    Suddenly, Murdoch receives a phone call from a man named Dr. Schreber (Kiefer Sutherland), who claims to have his best interests at heart. Schreber warns him to get out of the hotel immediately. Soon, without a clue about his identity, Murdoch is fleeing from phantom-like creatures with supreme mental powers. When cornered, Murdoch discovers he is not defenseless against his enemies -- his mind, like theirs, can shape reality, although he doesn't understand how to harness his abilities. Soon, his quest to unearth his past links him up with Emma (Jennifer Connelly), a woman who is supposedly his wife, and Police Inspector Bumstead (William Hurt), who believes Murdoch to be innocent of the prostitute's murder. But Murdoch's small group of allies offer little help when it comes to dealing with his powerful, ghoulish adversaries, the amoral Mr. Book (Ian Richardson) and Mr. Hand (Richard O'Brien).
    While the story does slightly deal with the main character's memories coming back to him, that's what is really missing. Movies like this usually have those feint images of the past holding the key to unlocking the mystery, but this film's more concerned with the thought of memories being erased and/or passed around, then with what's actually inside those thoughts. The film's storyline is a bit weak but manages to remain intriguing by informing and evolving "on-the-go", though the ending is a bit of a disappointment. Alex Proyas once again delivers a phenomenal spectacle by creating a somber, despairing ambiance set in "Dark City". "Dark City'' is a cinematic experience-- it is a triumph of art direction, set design, cinematography, and special effects.    … Expand
  22. Rox22
    Mar 15, 2013
    8
    I love this movie. Unique and interestingly presented. The plot does get a little to complicated and rushed at times, but that aside it's still a great movie. To be honest it feels like it should have been longer and that they really cut it down.
  23. DasBaronne
    Jan 28, 2013
    9
    The Atmosphere is incredible. The characters are out of this world.
    The storyline is OUT-WORLDLY! This review is going to sound like an 80's movie trailer isn't it? (Just kidding).
    If you're a fan of Hell-Raiser (or even film-noir) , you'd really enjoy this.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
66 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 23
  3. Negative: 1 out of 23
  1. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Michael Wilmington
    75
    Proyas' movie lacks a truly rich or compelling story -- although the city secret is certainly a rich and compelling idea. All too often, Dark City seems a great production design in search of a movie, an ultimate modern film noir pastiche, in which the images are so strong they overpower the drama. [27 Feb 1998]
  2. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Peter Stack
    50
    Dark City grabs your eyeballs and squeezes.
    Read full review
  3. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Stephen Holden
    70
    So relentlessly trippy in a fun-house sort of way that it could very easily inspire a daredevil cult of moviegoers who go back again and again to experience its mind-bending twists and turns. Although its story doesn't add up when you analyze it afterward, the movie does take you on a visually arresting ride that offers many unsettling surprises right up to a sentimental sunburst of an ending that has a paranoid undertone.
    Read full review
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