Dark City Movie
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Storyline
TAGLINES
They built the city to see what makes us tick. Last night one of us went off.
Forget the Sun. Forget Time. Forget Your Memories.
Darkness Falls Soon
A world where the night never ends. Where man has no past. And humanity has no future.
You are not who you think you are
John Murdoch awakens alone in a strange hotel to find that he has lost his memory and is wanted for a series of brutal and bizarre murders. While trying to piece together his past, he stumbles upon a fiendish underworld controlled by a group of beings known as The Strangers who possess the ability to put people to sleep and alter the city and its inhabitants. Now Murdoch must find a way to stop them before they take control of his mind and destroy him.
| Rufus Sewell | John Murdoch |
| William Hurt | Inspector Frank Bumstead |
| Kiefer Sutherland | Dr. Daniel P. Schreber |
| Jennifer Connelly | Emma Murdoch/Anna |
| Richard O'Brien | Mr. Hand |
| Ian Richardson | Mr. Book |
| Bruce Spence | Mr. Wall |
| Colin Friels | Det. Eddie Walenski |
| John Bluthal | Karl Harris |
| Mitchell Butel | Officer Husselbeck |
| Melissa George | May |
| Frank Gallacher | Chief Insp. Stromboli |
| Ritchie Singer | Hotel Manager/Vendor |
| Justin Monjo | Taxi Driver |
| Nicholas Bell | Mr. Rain |
| Alex Proyas |
7.60 out of 10 (34726 votes)
Visitor Reviews
One of the Best Sci Fi movies ever.
posted on 24 Aug 2009Dark City is a visual masterpiece is film noir, science fiction, and yes "existential." It is one of my favorite movies of all time. I thought Rufus Sewell was excellent, as I discovered him in this movie. I won't waste your time with plot details. Some people will say the movie is too simple and the resolution too phony. If you look hard, though, you will see a gleam of undiluted optimism in the darkness and nostalgia of this film.
The characters are oppressed by the darkness, but something keeps them from folding. Something drives them to overcome. This is one of a few movies that can melt cynicism away. In my opinion, anyway.
Truly Dark.
posted on 21 Aug 2009Dark City (1998) New Line Cinema.Review: Dark City being directed by Alex Proyas, who directed the dark thriller The Crow, I had to see this movie. This is an original, dark, engaging, and one of the best movies of 1998.The story is the best. A man who wakes up in a bathtub has no memory at all. He discovers that some ominous beings are coming after him. Who are they? What do they want? And to top it off, he is a suspect in several murders. As the story unfolds, it just gets more interesting. The look of the city is quite a sight. It has an old school comic book feel to it. The style of everything is a nice 1940's style, from clothing to the cars. As we follow our hero, we learn more about him....or do we? What is real? What is fake? Questions keep coming up but, are their any answers to all these questions? Even more weird is when at the stroke of midnight, the city changes shape while everyone sleeps.Our hero is also followed by an honest detective, Insp. Bumstead, who just wants answers to the murders and gets involved in the mystery too. Our hero wants to look for one location that could unlock the mystery to everything. What could it be? Another strong point here is the acting is excellent. Rufus Sewell plays his role with conviction and passion. The casting is flawless. The Last Word: Awesome flick. This is a movie that is excellent brain food. It makes you think....a lot. You will most likely watch this over and over again to figure everything out. No problem. This movie never gets old. Highly recommended.
Dark and complex sci-fi classic
posted on 18 Aug 2009When this movie first came out, I read some very good reviews of it, noted that it starred the rather lovely Jennifer Connelly, and never got round to watching it. Until recently, when I saw it on sale for £5, and snapped it up. This was A GOOD THING.The visual feel of the movie is the first thing that strikes you - grimy, dark, cold and completely foreboding. The city has an aura straight out of 40's and 50's Noir, with steaming alleys, dishevelled characters and anachronistic architecture. The second thing is the sheer dynamics of the editing. With an ASL of 1.8 seconds, the visuals bombard the viewer, and the dense plot perplexes until the layers are slowly stripped away to reveal the insidious plans of The Strangers.The story is taut, the acting is convincing and the aesthetics of the movie are quite fantastic, a film noir for the sci-fi age. I was told before seeing it that it was a great film, even if the last twenty minutes were "a little too Dragonball Z", an fairly accurate assessment of some of the shots, but not enough to denigrate from the movie overall. An underrated and overlooked sci-fi classic that anyone with an interest in solid film-making or dark expressionism simply must see.
Wow. And yet, Not Wow.
posted on 15 Aug 2009WARNING! This review contains SPOILERS for Dark City, as well as for The Matrix. When a film tries to create its own reality, totally removed from the things we take for granted, it treads a very thin line in my book. If it succeeds in making the illusion interesting, believable, and consistent within its own realm, I find it to be my favorite kind of film to watch. But if it does not succeed, I feel really cheated. Dark City very nearly falls into the latter category.The concept of constantly having one's identity altered and switched is something I've thought about all my life, and it is presented here in a manner that is equal parts confusing, fascinating, and terrifying. And the characters: John Murdoch, left painfully more aware of his surroundings by the loss of his memory; The Strangers, seemingly all-powerful, all-knowing, and all mysterious; Dr. Shreber, just as mysterious, almost as knowing, but ultimately powerless; all of them combine (along with the amazing, and often quite chilling visuals) to tell the story almost perfectly.Almost. As I see it, there is one big problem: The part of the story that deals with memories is terrific. But the concept of "tuning" I found to be strained and badly done. For one thing, there's hardly even an attempt to explain why John Murdoch is able to tune (something about higher evolution; but it's glazed over). It's stated, in fact, that it's quite impossible for him to be able to do so, and the fact that he can makes no sense at all. Aside from some cool effects involving the creation and manipulation of buildings, the entire tuning process seems to function as nothing more than a convenient Deus Ex Machina. Whenever Murdoch is in danger, he "accidentally" is able to tune his way out. And then, at the end, he's suddenly given the ability to control his powers, and modifies the world to make it more suitable, creating a sun and an ocean and such, and everyone lives happily ever after (though how he's able to do all of this himself when it takes the entire group of Strangers just to make a few buildings is beyond me). Among my many problems with this scenario is that the upbeat, "happy ever after" ending just doesn't seem to fit with the tone of the rest of the film. ALSO: This movie is quite often compared with The Matrix. They obviously have a lot in common: A group of people are kept oblivious to their own enslavement by powerful and enigmatic villains who have them imprisoned in a world that is not real. A man who senses something is wrong is made aware of the situation by a mysterious teacher, who then helps him use his incredible (but hitherto unknown) powers to put a stop to the evil and free the people. Heck, even some of the sets are the same.First of all, The Matrix did not rip off Dark City. These concepts have been around, in lore and in philosophy, for centuries. Secondly, I believe that The Matrix succeeds where this movie fails, for the simple reason that it takes the religious route, rather than the philosophical one. Now, of course, there are strong philosophical elements in The Matrix's religious issues, and strong religious elements in Dark City's philosophical issues. But the key difference is this: Dark City's primary concern seems to be with the mind, whereas The Matrix's primary concern seems to be with the soul.For Murdoch to use his powers, he has to concentrate. For Neo to use his powers, he has to believe. The concern of the Dark City inhabitants is their distorted, mixed-and-matched memories, which blur their lives. The Matrix inhabitants have perfectly good lives. But it's not enough. They want to be free. True, it is, technically, their minds that are enslaved, but I believe the undertone is clearly that of saving one's soul. In taking on the form of a religious allegory, the sudden happy ending of The Matrix (only talking about the original, of course) is not unexpected or out of tune with the rest of the movie, but rather marks the fulfillment of prophesy and the ushering in of a promised new life. And Neo's sudden realization of the full extent of his own power is not a matter of knowledge, but a matter of faith. For me, at least, this makes it a lot more believable and acceptable. Still, all-in-all, Dark City was quite a good movie, and I very much enjoyed it.
Dark City, a science fiction noir based on "1984"
posted on 15 Aug 2009From Alex Proyas, one of more intelligent science fiction movies I have ever seen. With an amazing story, only the script could have been better; although the actors are not so known, so they can play the script with equal quality. (or, the script does not need to be better.) A story about a city which have been controlled by some kind of another civilization, who have the intelligence to control the others' mind, in order to know how they live and how they behave. That civilization was dying. So they need to know how humans could live together, in order they could live too.Another film based in the great book 1984, a book that have influenced so many, but so many films and ways of thinking.This is no action movie. This is better.
Perfect Sci Fi movie
posted on 09 Aug 2009This is the perfect sci fi movie. Amazingly imaginative and thought-provoking premise and plot and artfully executed. I love the 30s feel. To enjoy the movie, you should be prepared to think and appreciate what the director/writer was trying to achieve - sure it's dark but that's the point isn't it?
DARK CITY (1998)
posted on 06 Aug 2009An alien species called the strangers come to earth to study us. They are placed in a city where they conduct experiments on them. They have special powers which one man named John Murdoch has. The plot is strong and powerful, which is helped by good special effects. I give this movie 41/2 out of 5. Rated PA
Stylishly gloomy, Dark City offers a polarizing whirl of arresting visuals and noirish action.
posted on 06 Aug 2009An extremely ambitious film about the nature of the human soul, Dark City is worth seeing for simply for its visual artistry. The film presents a bleak, film noir-ish urban landscape of no particular era and perpetual nighttime. The imaginative story begins as a crime thriller, though we quickly learn that the murder mystery is part of an all-encompassing puzzle that blends the realms of science fiction and philosophy. Dark City takes what could have been a wildly pretentious storyline and imbues it with skill and substance. Director Alex Proyas was responsible for the similarly desolate, dreamlike world of The Crow; with this film, he proves himself not just a visual wunderkind, but a deft storyteller as well (he co-wrote the screenplay with Lem Dobbs and David S. Goyer). Rufus Sewell is excellent as the brooding, justly paranoid John Murdoch, and Kiefer Sutherland is delightfully creepy as the wheezy Dr. Schreber. Those who like their stories straightforward and grounded in reality should be forewarned, but for those who don't mind mixing their entertainment with metaphysics, Dark City is one of the most overlooked films of the 1990s.
excellent
posted on 31 Jul 2009I just recently saw this movie for the first time and wow. The mood is somewhat dark but it only enhances the feel of the movie. The one thing I must say is that the makers of The Matrix must have had this movie at the front of their mind when they wrote their script.SPOILERS!The hero has special powers but doesn't know it.He is pursued by powerful beings who all look basically alike and have the same special powers.The city that is the world for all the people living in it is a total fabrication.The strange beings keep the humans as unwitting prisoners so they can expierament on them without their knowledge.The hero gets help from a shadowy person who seems to know everything.The hero and the leader of the beings who run the city have a climactic battle using the strange powers they both have.
''Dark City'' is my Favorite Film
posted on 13 Jul 2009Since seeing ''Dark City'' a few days ago, it has quickly become my favorite
film. I can't stop watching it. Everything about this film is amazing. The
acting is great. The story is outstanding. It may be the most original
storyline I've seen in a very long time. The BEST thing about this film is
the mind-blowing visuals. I was just completely blown away by this film.
Renowned film critic Roger Ebert gave ''Dark City'' 4 stars and compares it
to other sci-fi masterpieces like ''2001'' and ''Metropolis''. He also
calls it one of the best films of this decade and he is most certainly
right. It's a tragedy that this film bombed at the box office. I highly
encourage everyone who hasn't seen this film to go out and rent it right
away. X
One of the best sci-fi films you'll ever see!
posted on 07 Jun 2009I have always been disappointed that this film never received the recognition it deserved when it was first released (except of course by Roger Ebert). Having just seen it again I am still stunned by it's originality and intelligence. Finally a science fiction film that requires you to think (and pay close attention)! One that does not assume that the audience needs every aspect of the story to be explained to them at every moment or whose plot is so transparent there are no surprises. I dare anyone watching this film for the first time to try and guess the plot as it unfolds. And not just a sci-fi film but an amazing blend of sci-fi and film noir that hasn't been seen since Blade Runner although this film is far superior in every way. All the performances are excellent especially that of Keifer Sutherland in probably his best and most original role to date. And the look of this film has not been seen before. Yes there have been other "dark" cities in similar films (Blade Runner and Batman to mention two recent ones) and this one certainly uses elements from those as well as Metropolis but in doing so the result is something wonderfully original. Just spend some time and look at the backgrounds and set elements and try to place them. Futuristic structures, 1940's art-deco, modern accents. One would think that such diverse elements would look out of place but the set designers make it all work to give this film it's special feel. It was also great fun to see Richard O'Brien once again. With his wonderfully creepy and menacing turn as Mr. Hand it is surprising that we don't see him in more films. For those who have not seen this film, add it to your must-see list. You will not be disappointed.
Mute the first 1:26 to avoid studio voice-over!!!!!!!!
posted on 01 Jun 2009At Worldcon (World Sci-Fi Convention) in Baltimore, '98, Dark City was run as part of the film festival. Since it was running in discrete 6-channel, the narration was totally localized to the center channel, so it was easy to flip off the amp until the v.o. was over (it ends just before you see K. Sutherland's pocket watch). The audience reaction was great.If you can't kill one channel at home, muting everything just kills the slowly building ambient music - but it's worth it!When I ran an advance screening of this in Westwood, I wasn't really paying much attention to the content of the sound during the first couple of minutes, just that it was there (and focus, etc.), so I didn't "get" the v.o. At the end of the film, I was greatly pleased and my friends (who heard the v.o.) were really disappointed that the v.o. (like the v.o. in '82 cut of Blade Runner) dumbed the film waaaaay down. We all assumed it was a studio thing... and we were right..Here's why…Here are the first comments from the Director Alex Proyas and gang track on DVD... rough transcription since I'm not sure who is who, but I think I've got Proyas right from the accent and I'm assuming the other two are the writers.These are the very first three comments on the track...Proyas: I feel that the opening voice-over in the film is a kind of an unnecessary addition. It was added at a late stage to, you know, help the audience's understanding of what was going on.Other voice: The narration that opens the film was really the only studio imposition. I asked Alex when he finally finished making this film if he achieved what he set out to achieve and he said, "yeah, 90%", which was remarkable.Another voice: Now, one of the things I like doing, and it's a style, and I know Alex likes doing it too, is no credits at the beginning of the film and just "boom", send somebody right into the movie. Just, you know, shoving the audience in to the middle of something and letting them figure it out, as opposed to spoonfeeding them. And it takes a good half an hour for the audience to get up to speed on this film...
The things that make us human...
posted on 14 May 2009There was already said a lot of real and good things about this film in the huge mass of reviews/comments from other people - so I think I don't have to add much.This movie is great. It has an intelligent, innovative story, fitting effects and sound, a fantastic type of design in total, good actors and so on and on... They did it all right and with that combination there is only one possible consequence: This movie is a masterpiece. It entertains, it makes you think and shows feelings - and all on the right level of intensity.I am asking myself, why this movie is so unknown by the majority of the people. Spread the word and invite some friends of yours to watch the movie with you. Especially if these people are fond of dark fiction, unconventional sci-fi or something equal.Oh, and do not forget to think at least some time about the things that make us human... Else you would forget to do the one thing this movie especially wants you to do.
Special FX-travaganza!
posted on 11 May 2009Dark City is one of the most original movies ever to be seen. It has a totally unique storyline which twists and turns right until the end, and a cast of characters who aren't who they seem to be. The special effects are amazing. The buildings morph and move to become over buildings and the lead character John Murdoch, played by Rufus Sewell, can do some pretty nifty psychic tricks. The final showdown between Murdoch and the big bad alien boss is one of those that glues your eyes to it.Not only does Sewell act his heart out to full effect, but Kiefer Sutherland proves his acting ability as the mislead Dr Shreck, and William Hurt plays all super-cool as the police detective Bumstead. Plus there's the huge-eyebrowed Jennifer Connelly as Emma, Murdoch's girlfriend (or is she?).Alex Proyas, the director of this masterpiece, has a very unique style. It is both dark and visually inventive, as we have already seen in his 1994 hit 'The Crow'. This movie manages to take the idea of recurring nightmares to create one of the most breathtaking film-noir/science-fiction thrillers ever to grace our screens.There is nothing more to say about this film. I cannot credit it enough. I thought it was brilliant and innovative, and you should see it as soon as possible. 10/10.
The City in the sky.
posted on 11 May 2009First of all i must warn that this review will contain spoilers, so be forewarned:I just watched this movie, which was released in 1998 and i hadn't even heard of until now in 2009! I do believe it is fair to say that this film is under the radar for a lot of people.I have to say this movie suits me perfectly; i often say when i am asking for recommendations that the perfect movie for me is a semi-surreal movie, kind of similar in that respect to A Clockwork Orange, and no i am not under any illusion; this is nothing like a clockwork orange, but it does have that semi-surreal feel to it. The dark figures, non-human like, the surreal, fantasy like city. When i first put the film on, i was almost watering at the mouth, the film seemed very promising from the start; the awesome soundtrack, produces the 'correct' atmosphere throughout: epic at times, eerie at others, dark at others, but always seeming not out of place. Then as the film evolves, you do get deep into the plot; it makes you think, you care about the characters, and most importantly of all, it sticks with you. If i do have any negative points it would be these. Rufus Sewell is one of my least favourite actors, and i mean out of any in the world. I have never been fond of him, and in this film also his performance for me isn't great. The overall point though is that i didn't really like the casting; there wasn't really a standout performance for me. However the film is so well directed and the idea is so unique, that i found this pushed to the back of my mind as i just sat back and enjoyed the film from beginning to end. I also was left thinking if only. If only this film had a larger budget!! This film as i have previously mentioned suits my tastes almost perfectly, and i couldn't help but to imagine what this film could have been on a larger budget. Putting this aside, the film is well made, but it does have a cheap feel/look to it. I could imagine, and did want, this to be a masterpiece, but due to its budget in my opinion, the film just lacked little bits and pieces. But stepping away from the negative, i do have to say that i thoroughly enjoyed the film, will probably watch it again, and would recommend it to anyone, not just someone looking for, like me, a film with a semi-surreal feel. If i was to compare this film to another film, i would have to say imagine The Truman Show. There are many differences, but the whole life is a lie, controlled, even made, by another is all here. Its one of those films i will say to anyone, watch it once. It might not be for everyone, but it is certainly worth watching once.
One of those movies you have to experience
posted on 29 Apr 2009Dark City will forever be etched in my memory as one of the most original Science Fiction films I've ever seen.The Strangers make for an interesting enemy, and are introduced within the first couple of seconds of the film, though you don't actually see them for a while after that. The way they work and the things they do are quite believable, compared to some Sci-fi I've seen that have tried out some of the same concepts that are worked to perfection in Dark City.I won't spoil anything, and I don't want to. This is one of those movies you have to experience for yourself. The acting and the plot are both great, and excellently directed. It definitely feels dark, moody, and depressing the whole way through.Dark City was an interesting experience for me, and I recommend it to any who fancy themselves science fiction fans.5 stars (out of 5)Fun Fact: First, watch the movie simply to enjoy it. If you didn't notice the first time, go back and listen to the music. The score in Dark City never ends, and really adds to the overall feel of the movie. Just a little known and uncared about fact.
Have I been invited to use my brain at the pictures? I don't believe it!
posted on 08 Apr 2009I remember reading somewhere (it was one of the SF periodicals a couple of years back) that 'Dark City' was going to be a TV series. Obviously it isn't, but as a movie, it works incredibly well. I really enjoyed the dialogue, and I loved the mix of 50's nostalgia and 90's freak-outs. I think I need to watch it several times to check that the logic of the plot works (my memory is somewhat hazy), but what I did enjoy about the film was the strong sensation of being asked the question 'So what are you EXPECTING, exactly?'. Am I alone at laughing at the battle scenes? As I was almost completely unfamiliar with the film before I went to see it, a lot of the things took me by surprise, and it really held my attention. I'm not sure classifying it as Sci-Fi is entirely the way to go, but it's the closest we're going to get when we have to put up with absolute rubbish like Armageddon.I think I need to watch it again. And again. And again.In Summary: An underrated gem.
Good Sci-Fi flick that kept my interest
posted on 02 Apr 2009As in the movie MEMENTO, I started to watch Alex Proyas' DARK CITY with very litle interest. The one question I kept asking myself throughout the movie was "what's the deal with these so called Strangers?""The Strangers" are in fact strange beings that have the ability to stop time, put people to sleep, and alter the destiny of the human race. The film starts off with John Murdoch(Rufus Sewell) who is woken up in a dark hotel room and finds that he is wanted for a series of mysterious murders.
The problem that arises for Murdoch is that he has no comprehension of previous events in his life. He knows that he has a wife named Anna(Jennifer Connelly) and tries desperately to find the truth of his world around him. With the help of inspector Frank Bumstead(William Hurt), Murdoch seeks the definitive answers that control his life.This movie reminded me of Christopher Nolan's MEMENTO in that Rufus Sewell's character was constantly seeking the truth, as was Guy Pearce's character in Nolan's film. Both had a loss of memory except Sewell's was more severe.
Both films moved at just about the same pace with surprises popping up every once in a while.I have never seen THE CROW so I cannot compare Alex Proyas' movies but I did enjoy DARK CITY and give it a B+
A very good surprise
posted on 27 Aug 2009When I bought the DVD, I didn't really know who was the director (I hadn't seen The Crow yet) but I knew it was a science fiction movie, which I like. I was surprised right away by the quality of the picture and the amazing camera movements ! The color, the ambiance remind me a mix of "Les Enfants de la Cite Perdue" from Caro and Jeunet (for the picture and atmosphere) and "Hellraiser" from Clive Barker (for the originality and atmosphere). Kiefer and Rufus are great actors and look really freaky. The sound and visual effects bring a lot to the movie. The end is a little deceiving (the battle brings the movie back to a traditional fight between Good and Evil) but the surprise coming after saves it all. I will give it a 10, the DVD version is a real thrill. The comments are great.