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Dark City

Play trailer Poster for Dark City R Released Feb 20, 1998 1h 41m Fantasy Sci-Fi Play Trailer Watchlist
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77% Tomatometer 93 Reviews 85% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
John Murdoch (Rufus Sewell) awakens alone in a strange hotel to find that he is wanted for a series of brutal murders. The problem is that he can't remember whether he committed the murders or not. For one brief moment, he is convinced that he has gone completely mad. Murdoch seeks to unravel the twisted riddle of his identity. As he edges closer to solving the mystery, he stumbles upon a fiendish underworld controlled by a group of ominous beings collectively known as the Strangers.
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Dark City

Dark City

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Critics Consensus

Stylishly gloomy, Dark City offers a polarizing whirl of arresting visuals and noirish action.

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Critics Reviews

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Jake Cole Slant Magazine Dark City is ultimately positive, recapitulating noir’s post-WWII social anomie as a quest for self-actualization over complacency. Jun 9, 2025 Full Review Bill Boisvert Chicago Reader Real humanists may have misgivings. Rated: 1/4 Jun 16, 2022 Full Review Mike Clark USA Today Dark City is fascinating, visionary filmmaking that captures the sensation of dreaming and being unable to wake up. Rated: 3/4 Jan 9, 2018 Full Review Jeff Beck The Blu Spot It may have some problems with its finale, but this was a rather ambitious work that's mostly successful at accomplishing what it set out to do. Rated: 3.5/5 Jun 24, 2025 Full Review Frank J. Avella The Contending The cast boasts impressive turns by Kiefer Sutherland, William Hurt and Richard O’Brien, with Jennifer Connelly delivering yet another wooden performance. How did this actress ever win an Oscar? Key to the film’s success is (Rufus) Sewell... Rated: B Jun 16, 2025 Full Review David Reddish CBR The core of the film itself offers a meditation on human nature. Memories and personality do not define human beings; choices do. That haunting philosophy... makes Dark City live on as a classic; one of the most important sci-fi movies ever made. Rated: 4/4 May 5, 2025 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Melvin F Dark City is one of those films that will take you on a journey. I love the noir dark tone of the film and the sci-fi elements. It was a film I always said I would watch someday but kept putting it off. After finally seeing it last week I have to say I loved it. It will not be for everyone, it definitely has dark elements that if you were in this situation, you would consider it horror. Not in the gore or blood type of way but you will see what I mean if you never watched it. The main character is what drove this film as you peal back the layers along with the character to get to the bottom of what is really going on in this mysterious city. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/29/25 Full Review Jovy J Saw this when it first came out and it has stayed with me ever since, unlike most flicks which are viewed and quickly forgotten. Like a feverish nightmare you have when you are really ill with a high temp, but suddenly realize you are trapped inside it. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/16/25 Full Review Thirdi A Well, the only good things I can think of are the different inspirations for the Matrix. Otherwise this just wasnt good Rated 2 out of 5 stars 07/15/25 Full Review Carlos Taiti Y Filme: Cidade das Sombras Assistido: 14/6/25 Elenco: @rufus_sewell @jennifer.connelly @kiefersutherland @Williamhurt Modelo: #ficção Duração: 1h 40m Ano: 1998 Minha opinião: Este filme é um mix de Matrix com Neo e Origem de Dicaprio. Este filme tem muito da Matrix, um mundo onde as pessoas são controladas e dadas a elas suas personalidades, em um mundo artificial, Onde a pessoa vive uma fantasia. E também tem de Origem, que tem a mudança a cada tempo, onde modifica a realidade. Temos também um pouco de Cubo, onde todos imaginam estar na Terra mas estão no espaço. E temos também o Neo aqui vivi do Rufus e aqui se chama de John Murdoch. Que como Neo descobre que é dotado de poderes e de acordo com o filme na sua alto descoberta vai ganhando mais poder. Temos Dr, Daniel (Kiefer) que é o cientista maluco que vai reprogramando as pessoas, onde uma hora tem uma vida e depois em outra diferente. Inspetor Frank (Hurt), que se torna parceiro Murdoch depois questionamentos que não pode responder e vai a procura da verdade. E a belíssima Emma (Connelly) por quem John se apaixona. E os Srs. “Smith” que na verdade aqui são extraterrestres que abduziram um número de terrestres para entender oque seria alma, e com isso faziam as experiência. Porem agora John tem o poder deles, e o poder para destrui-los. E construir um Mundo como ele imagina. Um filme que me surpreendeu como tem de MAtrix, mas vendo que foi lançado, apenas um ano após, fica a pergunta, será que idéias foram tiradas deste filme? Vale apena assistir? Em si um filme que surpreendeu, mas os efeitos especiais comparados com MAtrix da de 100 X 0. Mas gostei. Apesar de interpretações medianas, ressalva Hurt. Nota: 6,5 Rated 3 out of 5 stars 06/18/25 Full Review Max W This is absolutely phenomenal and the similarities to The Matrix are enormous. I can't belive I didn't watch this sooner. What a hidden gem. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/16/25 Full Review Gendgi S Awesome classic, great story, great acting, a must watch for sci fi / mystery fans. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/23/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Dark City

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Movie Info

Synopsis John Murdoch (Rufus Sewell) awakens alone in a strange hotel to find that he is wanted for a series of brutal murders. The problem is that he can't remember whether he committed the murders or not. For one brief moment, he is convinced that he has gone completely mad. Murdoch seeks to unravel the twisted riddle of his identity. As he edges closer to solving the mystery, he stumbles upon a fiendish underworld controlled by a group of ominous beings collectively known as the Strangers.
Director
Alex Proyas
Producer
Alex Proyas, Andrew Mason
Screenwriter
Alex Proyas, Alex Proyas, Lem Dobbs, David S. Goyer
Distributor
New Line Cinema
Production Co
New Line Cinema, Mystery Clock Cinema
Rating
R (Violent Images|Some Sexuality)
Genre
Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 20, 1998, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 1, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA)
$14.3M
Runtime
1h 41m
Sound Mix
Dolby Stereo, Dolby A, SDDS, Surround, Dolby Digital, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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