Dark City

Name: Dark City
Genre: Sci-Fi, Mystery, Thriller, Crime
Released: February 20, 1998
Duration: 100 min
Rating: 66
Cast: Jennifer Connelly, Kiefer Sutherland, Rufus Sewell

1998

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 23 Critics

See All

USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 170 Ratings

See All

8.4

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

8.4	Your Score
8.4	User Score Universal acclaim based on 170 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

DARK CITY

Movie Details & Credits

Not Rated

New Line Cinema | Release Date: February 20, 1998

Starring: Jennifer Connelly, Kiefer Sutherland, Rufus Sewell

Summary: Alex Proyas directs this futuristic thriller about a man (Sewell) waking up to find he is wanted for brutal murders he doesn't remember. Haunted by mysterious beings who stop time and alter reality, he seeks to unravel the riddle of his identity. [New Line]

Director: Alex Proyas

Genre(s): Sci-Fi, Mystery, Thriller, Crime

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 100 min

See All Details and Credits

Awards & Rankings

50	#50 Best Movie of 1998
16	#16 Most Discussed Movie of 1998
29	#29 Most Shared Movie of 1998

Watch Now

Stream On

Buy On

Stream On

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

Washington Post - Stephen Hunter

If you don't fall in love with it, you've probably never fallen in love with a movie, and never will. Read full review

100

Time - Richard Corliss

It is as cool and distant as the planet the Strangers come from. But, Lord, is Dark City a wonder to see. [2 March 1998]

New Times (L.A.) - Andy Klein

Full of provocative concepts, but, like most films that attack such metaphysical concerns head-on, things have become a tad too jumbled by the end to be altogether satisfying. It's a problem built into the subject matter...This all said, Dark City is immensely entertaining, as well as visually dazzling. Read full review

The Globe and Mail (Toronto) - Liam Lacey

An almost really good movie...risks leaving the viewer feeling like one of the bewildered automatons that move through the plots. Read full review

L.A. Weekly - Manohla Dargis

[Proyas] hasn't yet learned how to enliven his characters as fully as his sets. Part of this is structural (somnolence is built into the script), but the greater fault lies with Proyas' direction of his performers, most of whom deliver their lines in a strangulated whisper. Read full review

Film Threat - Anthony Miele

Hurt and Sewell are both quite believable as their respective characters, while Sutherland's performance is lacking in more than a few catagories. Read full review

Chicago Reader - Lisa Alspector

One reason this production-design vehicle is so incredibly boring is that the characters keep having to explain the plot to one another. Read full review

SEE ALL 23 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

pinattar

Jan 14, 2012

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 ofgreat 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.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

AndrewBurge

Nov 30, 2018

Alex Proyas' 'Dark City' is a tough film to review. Mainly because it has a few obvious imperfections, yet it also rises above standard conventions and perceived normality through its director's observational concept.

In a way, much like The Strangers in the film, Proyas acts as anAlex Proyas' 'Dark City' is a tough film to review. Mainly because it has a few obvious imperfections, yet it also rises above standard conventions and perceived normality through its director's observational concept.

In a way, much like The Strangers in the film, Proyas acts as an omnipotent god, creating clearly defined set-pieces and putting its characters through awkward interactions. These nearly poetic ways in which the characters interact with each other might be seen as unnatural, but to me, its what makes this film a masterpiece. Alex Proyas created a mysterious underworld and we are enclosed in its well-defined borders, much like the rat in the labyrinth in the film, or, more so, like its characters.

This film is so beyond normality that we cannot perceive it through our pre-defined societal standards. The entire film takes place in this "dark city" and while the characters ask each other where were they taken from there is never no mention of Earth or anything which truly connect us to our reality.

This is one of the great powers of this film. It is so elevated and so absorbed in its sci-fi theme and atmosphere that it requires an open mind. But it is also inviting. From a visual point of view, this is not great; it is an exemplary tour-de-force. Mixing neo-noir drama with a perfect amount of sci-fi mystery really creates a stylish, sinister, depressive and dark visual tone with a unique aesthetic.

By the time we get closer to the end, everything is revealed to us. But there is no satisfaction. Thinking that this all started in a relatively basic bathroom and then ending on a spaceship without going anywhere is a mind-blowing transition. But what cements this even more as a masterpiece is its approach to human nature and thought. Are we defined by our memories or do we rise above them? It is a relatively common philosophical question, but seeing it unfold in front of our eyes with this theatrical, otherworldly and elegant dialogue and the booming vibrating score really imprints the idea into our minds.

By the ending, I realized that I know absolutely nothing about all the characters I lived with for 90 minutes simply because the entire film revolves around a hell which is devout of anything truly real and palpable. Their memories have been changed so many times that they don't know anything about them. Like Dr. Daniel P. Schreber said, we no longer know "what might have been" - that line hit hard because at that point I realized that everything is lost.

Proyas has said that he appreciates Greek mythology. And this film has many ideas inspired from it. The fact that every time the clocks ticks 12, the characters' memories are changed. But we do not know whether its 12 AM or PM. The sun never shines. This mystery is all-engulfing and mind-boggling. Much like the Titan Prometheus, the torment repeats over and over. The only spark of true humanity seems to be Emma Murdoch (Jennifer Connelly). She is the only one which we feel truly experiences love when he kisses John Murdoch (Rufus Sewell).

What I realized is that while we talk and analyze this film, its characters, their behavior, we are missing the point. This is a film not to be analyzed, but experienced. There is really nothing to analyze, after all. The characters, their interactions? How? We don't even know them... hell, we don't even know their true names...… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

DasBaronne

Jan 28, 2013

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.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

RobertBrogan

Sep 28, 2015

Dark City is fascinating for those who can enjoy a good nature documentary or travelogue. The sets, shooting, and effects are all well-done and it is refreshing to see something from the pre-CG era. Dark City is not particularly dark or scary but has a rather curious (a la Alice inDark City is fascinating for those who can enjoy a good nature documentary or travelogue. The sets, shooting, and effects are all well-done and it is refreshing to see something from the pre-CG era. Dark City is not particularly dark or scary but has a rather curious (a la Alice in Wonderland) and, at times, campy vibe. The style is noir, the city looks European, Jennifer Connelly is stunning, William Hurt lends a bit of gravitas -- all this makes for a very odd mix that is very interesting and dream-like. The ending is quite silly and the film does have many of the flaws other reviewers point out, but these are all outweighed by the things Dark City does right.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

XavierBlaq

Jan 9, 2014

Though Dark City starts off terribly with poor acting and a disorienting pace, the movie improves vastly as it goes along, and eventually becomes a deep, engrossing film (with amazing acting) that was entertaining and thought-provoking. However, do not think this means the film spares anyThough Dark City starts off terribly with poor acting and a disorienting pace, the movie improves vastly as it goes along, and eventually becomes a deep, engrossing film (with amazing acting) that was entertaining and thought-provoking. However, do not think this means the film spares any expense to deliver thrilling action and graphics that, despite looking terrible now, were amazing at the time of release and do not throw off the movie even now. Overall, I recommend it to science fiction fans, particularly those who loved the themes and cinematic elements of The Matrix Trilogy, as this movie is very similar in both (though slightly poorer with the graphics since it was released before The Matrix).… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

KovacsBowman

Jun 15, 2014

*Dark city will take you on a very weird ride...*

I've seen this film several times now and the same conclusion arises at the end "Odd". The story itself is very good and you are never really sure where its going next, set in a dark, gothic metropolis city it is sure to have your skin*Dark city will take you on a very weird ride...*

I've seen this film several times now and the same conclusion arises at the end "Odd". The story itself is very good and you are never really sure where its going next, set in a dark, gothic metropolis city it is sure to have your skin crawl at the depressing atmosphere. It certainty takes more than a sprinkling of 1920/30 detective films with it, although that where the similarity's end.

But that is not a negative, you will find this film quite indulgent always wanting to see where the next turn takes you. Have I mentioned this is a dark, gothic film already? Yes, well I thought I better mention it again as you will need the curtains drawn to watch this film.

The characters are played well with the villains making you feel less than comfortable. A worth while gothic adventure for them lonely nights.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Compi24

Nov 28, 2012

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.

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

SEE ALL 25 REVIEWS