Released 1998

”Dark City” is a neo-noir, science fiction, mystery film directed by Alex Proyas and written by Alex Proyas, Daivd S. Goyer and Lem Dobbs. The film stars Rufus Sewell, Kieffer Sutherland, William Hurt, Jennifer Connelly, Richard O´Brien and Ian Richardson. It is an Australian / US film and the music was composed by Trevor Jones.

The film takes place in an era that could be the 1940s, 50s or 60s in a city that seems isolated from everywhere. The main charracter is John Murdoch (played by Rufus Sewell) and the story starts when he wakes up in a bathtub with amnesia. He recieves a phone call urging him to flee because he is at the center of what appears to be a crime scene. So John must find out who he is and what is going on. This turns out to be no small task and the answers are spectacular. As the story develops John learns some very distrubing facts about his reality and city. With the help of Dr. Daniel Schreber (played by Kieffer Sutherland) John learns the existence of an extra-terrestrial parasite race called the ”Strangers” that is influencing the cities reality.

The lack of direct sunlight and the fact that all the characters seem to be actors asleep give the film a dreamlike quality and enhance the sense of mystery. The world of this movie is really a strange place. The film has the feel of a 1940s black and white detective mystery with the elements of modern sci-fi storytelling. Such as the tuning of the city.

I can see why this is a cult classic because it is a great story with a fantastic mystery. The special effects are very good too. I highly recommend ”Dark City” as a must see and own.

 I2Q
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