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 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 260 Ratings

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8.7

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8.7	User Score Universal acclaim based on 260 Ratings

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Dark City

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Movie Details & Credits

New Line Cinema | Release Date: February 20, 1998 | Not Rated

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

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

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

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

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

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

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

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

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User Reviews

gracjanski

May 11, 2021

Almost a perfect movie. I liked the city with its style, it is very interesting and creative. Also I liked the dark and sinister mood of the movie. The story is also interesting, because you discover the background with the protagonist. Also the theme is not so popular and a bit complex. TheAlmost a perfect movie. I liked the city with its style, it is very interesting and creative. Also I liked the dark and sinister mood of the movie. The story is also interesting, because you discover the background with the protagonist. Also the theme is not so popular and a bit complex. The characters are complex and therefore interesting. The visual effects are good, but not great, Matrix is much better in this case, but dont forget the movie is from 1998.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

RecoveryRx

Jan 23, 2012

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.

4 of 4 users found this helpful40

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

21 of 21 users found this helpful210

hollowMask

Apr 30, 2019

I think this film is the reason I thought The Matrix was a let down after the hype.

Definitely worth the watch!

4 of 4 users found this helpful40

cameronmorewood

Nov 17, 2012

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.

2 of 10 users found this helpful28

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 5 users found this helpful05

amheretojudge

Aug 26, 2019

Give this authentic old style car to run something solid on, it will go miles, MILES!

Dark City Proyas has got the style that fits right in for a comic book film. Definitely not for this current generation, although I'd love to see a throwback every now and then, that warps me back to theGive this authentic old style car to run something solid on, it will go miles, MILES!

Dark City

Proyas has got the style that fits right in for a comic book film. Definitely not for this current generation, although I'd love to see a throwback every now and then, that warps me back to the late 80s Tim Burton era. And as far as breathing that essense is concerned, Alex Proyas, the co-writer and director, has got that particular style written all over these gorgeous rich images shared in this film. But just like any style would, it only has legs to run so far. Just the first act, in this case. For after the tone sets in and the demand kicks in, the substance grows necessary and the luxury (style, as mentioned) feels like famished into that bank, which the makers feel free to use as an excuse of narrative.

What actually the film feeds on other than glamour is how it romanticizes a secret, a rumor. Everything is hyped up to the perfect amount, teasing us, preparing us for a dazzling show that ends up only in the been-here-seen-that acts. Also it's not just the predictability but also its inadequacy to satisfy us with that very expected product. And I don't just mean the film in its entirety.

But also, what is part of it. Characters, disappoints. Relationship disappoints. World, disappoints. Arcs, is what we are left with, generically mystic; which by the way could also be interpreted as commercially or irrelevantly. And among these disappointments, the star cast holds on to their reputation, from Jennifer Connelly as a fishy seductress to Kiefer Sutherland as the know-it-all messenger to William Hurt as the uncompromised hunky detective to Rufus Sewell as our empathetic protagonist sharing our views, viewer's views, for the most part of the film. Dark City is dark, undoubtedly, but it is not bright enough to prove why is it so dark, it's just dark- I cannot say dark enough.… Expand

0 of 15 users found this helpful015

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60	#60 Best Movie of 1998
17	#17 Most Discussed Movie of 1998
26	#26 Most Shared Movie of 1998