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Dark City

  • 1998
  • R
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
222K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,729
138
Rufus Sewell in Dark City (1998)
Trailer for Dark City
Play trailer2:14
2 Videos
99+ Photos
CyberpunkFantasyMysterySci-FiThriller

A man struggles with memories of his past, which include a wife he cannot remember and a nightmarish world no one else ever seems to wake up from.A man struggles with memories of his past, which include a wife he cannot remember and a nightmarish world no one else ever seems to wake up from.A man struggles with memories of his past, which include a wife he cannot remember and a nightmarish world no one else ever seems to wake up from.

  • Director
    • Alex Proyas
  • Writers
    • Alex Proyas
    • Lem Dobbs
    • David S. Goyer
  • Stars
    • Rufus Sewell
    • Kiefer Sutherland
    • Jennifer Connelly
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.6/10
    222K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    1,729
    138
    • Director
      • Alex Proyas
    • Writers
      • Alex Proyas
      • Lem Dobbs
      • David S. Goyer
    • Stars
      • Rufus Sewell
      • Kiefer Sutherland
      • Jennifer Connelly
    • 788User reviews
    • 202Critic reviews
    • 66Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 12 wins & 19 nominations total

    Videos2

    Dark City
    Trailer 2:14
    Dark City
    Dark City
    Trailer 0:31
    Dark City
    Dark City
    Trailer 0:31
    Dark City

    Photos200

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    Top cast57

    Edit
    Rufus Sewell
    Rufus Sewell
    • John Murdoch
    Kiefer Sutherland
    Kiefer Sutherland
    • Dr Daniel Schreber
    Jennifer Connelly
    Jennifer Connelly
    • Emma Murdoch
    William Hurt
    William Hurt
    • Inspector Frank Bumstead
    Richard O'Brien
    Richard O'Brien
    • Mr Hand
    Ian Richardson
    Ian Richardson
    • Mr Book
    Bruce Spence
    Bruce Spence
    • Mr Wall
    Colin Friels
    Colin Friels
    • Walenski
    John Bluthal
    John Bluthal
    • Karl Harris
    Mitchell Butel
    Mitchell Butel
    • Husselbeck
    Melissa George
    Melissa George
    • May
    Frank Gallacher
    • Stromboli
    Ritchie Singer
    Ritchie Singer
    • Hotel Manager…
    Justin Monjo
    • Taxi Driver
    Nicholas Bell
    Nicholas Bell
    • Mr Rain
    Satya Gumbert
    • Mr Sleep
    Noah Gumbert
    • Mr Sleep Filming Double
    Frederick Miragliotta
    Frederick Miragliotta
    • Mr Quick
    • Director
      • Alex Proyas
    • Writers
      • Alex Proyas
      • Lem Dobbs
      • David S. Goyer
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews788

    7.6222.1K
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    Featured reviews

    8Misss25

    Speechless

    I don't have words to say, its amazing. Totally unpredictable. I haven't read even the synopsis. It came out giving me heart attack at the end.

    It's absolutely worth watching.
    jennyburnett-25810

    The thinking man's sci-fi

    For science fiction fans the late 90s were great years. The most famous and popular of all was The Matrix but Alex Proyas's much more thought-provoking(which is saying something as the Matrix, at least the first movie was very thought provoking itself) film is just as good. No movie can ever have too much atmosphere, and Dark City exudes it from every frame of celluloid. Alex Proyas' world isn't just a playground for his characters to romp in -- it's an ominous place where viewers can get lost. We don't just coolly observe the bizarre, ever-changing skyline; we plunge into the city's benighted depths, following the protagonist as he explores the secrets of this grim place where the sun never shines. Visually, this film isn't just impressive, it's a tour de force. Thankfully, Dark City doesn't have an "all style, no substance" problem, either, because there's a mind-challenging story to go along with the eye candy. Proyas hasn't written this film for the passive viewer. To become involved in Dark City, thinking is mandatory.
    8davispittman

    Unconventional sci fi film

    Dark City is definitely a one of a kind movie. There's no other in the science fiction genre that's similar to it. It stands alone. Most of the time I really enjoy films that are unique and stand out, and this one fits into that most category. Typically I'm not huge on the science fiction genre, but I think even if you don't usually care for that type of film, you'll still like this one. One of the reasons it can transcend a strict science fiction audience is because of its intelligence. The film doesn't reveal a whole lot until the very end, which is very clever, keeps the viewer guessing the whole way through. The cast is very good. I think each and every cast member was picked well and represents their role well. The plot is a lot to explain, and the movie gets more complicated as it goes along, so I'll just say that the plot is full of rich twists and turns. I can almost 100% guarantee that you will not be bored with this film, too much is going on for that to happen. The special effects were good for 1998, they are kind of dated by today's standards, but they still work, the buildings in the city are probably the most interesting thing as far as visual effects go. Overall, I do recommend this very interesting film. 8/10.
    7Xstal

    Mind Craft...

    A presence down below seeks to affect, the lives of those above to cause effect, and observe the interactions, of various transactions, to ascertain, to verify and to collect. It's a process that's repeated every night, if you knew why, it might just cause a fright, as emotions are arranged, past lives remixed and estranged, try as you might, you just can't fight, or see the light. Then there's John Murdoch who's a mystery and a puzzle, his mind resists being altered and reshuffled, an ability to craft, to change, reflect, and cast, causing tremors down below, a big kerfuffle.

    A far from unoriginal take on a simulated world we may or may not live in.
    8LinkinParkEnjoyer

    Must see for sci-fi lovers

    Dark City has an interesting philosophical premise executed very well. I love how you can question your world while watching Dark City, it is something like Matrix. Kiefer Sutherland always plays supporting roles and doesn't get much attetion but he really deserves praise because he's a terrific actor. The special effects were good for that time but ofcourse today they are not that great. I would love to watch prequel to this film.

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    Related interests

    Ryan Gosling and Ana de Armas in Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
    Cyberpunk
    Elijah Wood in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
    Fantasy
    Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway in Chinatown (1974)
    Mystery
    James Earl Jones and David Prowse in Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
    Sci-Fi
    Cho Yeo-jeong in Parasite (2019)
    Thriller

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      A number of pieces of the set, including those used for the rooftop chase, were sold to the production of The Matrix (1999) at the end of shooting.
    • Goofs
      (at around 1h 5 mins) When the glass partition is broken, a second sheet of glass is used to protect Jennifer Connelly. At slow speeds, John's hand is clearly visible reflected in this safety glass.
    • Quotes

      John Murdoch: When was the last time you remember doing something during the day?

      Inspector Frank Bumstead: What do you mean?

      John Murdoch: I just mean during the day. Daylight. When was the last time you remember seeing it? And I'm not talking about some distant, half-forgotten childhood memory, I mean like yesterday. Last week. Can you come up with a single memory? You can't, can you? You know something, I don't think the sun even... exists... in this place. 'Cause I've been up for hours, and hours, and hours, and the night never ends here.

    • Crazy credits
      There are two different Panavision credits used: the "Camera Equipment: Panavision" credit, and after that, the "Filmed in Panavision" credit with "Lenses & Cameras by" above it, despite being shot in Super 35.
    • Alternate versions
      The director's cut omits the opening monologue.
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Palmetto/Senseless/Dangerous Beauty/Mrs. Dalloway/Nil by Mouth/Live Flesh (1998)
    • Soundtracks
      Le Chale Bleu
      Written by François Perchat (as Francois Perchat)

      Sung by Anita Kelsey

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    FAQ27

    • How long is Dark City?Powered by Alexa
    • Is 'Dark City' based on a book?
    • What Roman mythological elements are found in the film?
    • How do I solve the "To Shell Beach..." game on the DVD?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 27, 1998 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • Australia
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Facebook
      • WarnerBros.com
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Ciudad en tinieblas
    • Filming locations
      • Museum Underground Station, Hyde Park, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
    • Production companies
      • New Line Cinema
      • Time Warner
      • New Line Cinema
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $27,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $14,378,331
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $5,576,953
      • Mar 1, 1998
    • Gross worldwide
      • $27,201,335
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 40m(100 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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