A thought provoking and entertaining movie. A dark and brooding picture that goes in many unexplored directions.

Rating: 86

Tags: Reality — Mystery — Science Fiction — Murder

Director: Alex Proyas

Writer: Alex Proyas, Lem Dobbs, and David S. Goyer

Starring: Rufus Sewell, Kiefer Sutherland, Richard O’Brien, Jennifer Connelly, and William Hurt

Country: USA/Australia

MPAA Rating: R

Studio: New Line Cinema

Budget: $27,000,000

Release: February 27th, 1998

Dark City is a US/Australian neo-noir sci-fi action thriller from filmmaker, Alex Proyas (The Crow) and Mystery Clock Cinema. It stars Rufus Sewell, Kiefer Sutherland, Richard O’Brien, Jennifer Connelly, and William Hurt. The film was distributed by New Line Cinema and released on February 27th, 1998, after multiple delays. The film gained mostly positive reviews but the general audience found the film complicated and tough to engage with. After home video release it has found a cult audience.

I am watching the 1999 New Line Home Video Widescreen VHS release. It’s a beautiful slipcase that features that darkly brilliant poster. The VHS itself has no trailer. It just goes straight into the movie. Brilliant quality picture for such an old format.

Back of Box Synopsis

Welcome to a world where mystery and madness collide. From the director of The Crow comes a futuristic thriller that’s “a dark and dazzling sci-fi mind bender!” (Mason Wood, CBS-TV) When John Murdoch (Rufus Sewell, Dangerous Beauty) awakens in a strange hotel room. He finds that he is wanted for a series of brutal murders. The problem is he can’t remember a thing. Pursued by the police and haunted by The Strangers, mysterious beings who possess the ability to stop time and alter reality, he seeks to unravel the twisted riddle of his identity. But in a city where reality is the ultimate illusion. Discovering the truth could be fatal. Also starring Kiefer Sutherland, Jennifer Connelly, and William Hurt. Dark City is an “astonishing visual and dramatic triumph!” (Roger Ebert, Siskel & Ebert)

Analysis

This is one of the first “gothic” films that I had actually fell in love with. I liked The Crow, but everyone knew about that movie. No one knew about Dark City. I went to high-school in 1997 to 2001. When I would show this movie to friends, they would love it, but all of them had never heard about it. It was similar to Cube in that way.

Alex Proyas gives us an amazing mystery film that rivals the best noir classics like Double Indemnity. The writing and story is so darkly compelling. As a fan of horror, I was very in tune with the doomed setting, spectacular visuals, and how well all worked in a shady noir tale. It’s a shame this movie doesn’t come up in conversation more often. This is a truly fantastic mystery.

Overall

Dark City is a classic. It’s the kind of film that you should definitely sink into. Everything from the story to the acting is, if nothing, entertaining. I have always been enthralled by the setting. And found myself coming out of a viewing, inspired and ready to write. Dark City is a must see for fans of dark science-fiction. And if you like film noir I would check this out too.