Dark Star

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Dark Star

G

1974

1h 23m

Sci-Fi

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Popcornmeter

74%

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34 Reviews

64%

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10,000+ Ratings

A satiric look at the problems experienced by a crew of bumbling astronauts on a mission to destroy rogue planets.

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Critics Consensus

A loopy 2001 satire, Dark Star may not be the most consistent sci-fi comedy, but its portrayal of human eccentricity is a welcome addition to the genre.

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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

It’s fascinating and strangely enthralling. And funny too, in places.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 10, 2025

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Joe Pollack

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

[Dark Star] can be praised for imagination and effort, if not for results... The story is mostly turgid, the acting is nothing special, and the waits between the bright spots seem interminable.

Oct 12, 2023

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Adam Smith

Empire Magazine

Hats off nonetheless to young whippersnapper John Carpenter, whose studenty tale of space tedium, aliens and molasses-black humour remains approximately a thousand times better than the director's last 15 years.

Rated: 5/5

Jun 6, 2007

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Phoenix Staff

Boston Phoenix

It's great fun, and the ending makes gleeful hash of pretentious, "metaphysical" science fiction.

Rated: 3/4

Sep 23, 2024

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Alan Jones

Radio Times

Witty, profound and cleverly scored by its producer/director John Carpenter.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 13, 2024

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Christopher Lloyd

The Film Yap

Careers were launched with this student film-turned-sci-fi cult classic, blasting the genre into hyperspace (almost literally!) without actually being an especially good or interesting flick.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 8, 2024

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Doctor V

Time to feed the alien....Get your best buds, kick the lights, and trip into this unforgettable sci-fi experimental masterpiece. This is the beginning of some of the best directed, acted and scored cult classic ever. It might just take you somewhere in your mind you never thought existed, sure took me..hats off JC you da man.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/01/25

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J H

This absurdist sci-fi comedy isn't for everyone. I prefer the shorter Director's Cut.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/23/25

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Madam D

Interesting as the student film of 2 friends who became famous in later life. The copy I got from the library could not play the last 2 chapters...how did it end?

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/19/25

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Leaburn O

Just can’t get over the awful production value. Didn’t find anything enjoyable about watching this. Gave up after half an hour. Painful stuff. Watched on Amazon Prime.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

01/09/25

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Blobbo X

Pedestrian but worthwhile watching for Carpenter fans. (Started out as student film.) Fun in spots. (In a pedestrian way.)

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/26/24

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nick s

It has a few mildly amusing moments but for the most part it looks like a student film. Dismal special effects. It doesn't really have much of a story and just fumbles along with patchy acting. Lost me with the interminable beachball scene which really signalled the movie was going nowhere.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

11/17/24

Full Review

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Synopsis

A satiric look at the problems experienced by a crew of bumbling astronauts on a mission to destroy rogue planets.

Director: John Carpenter
Producer: John Carpenter
Screenwriter: John Carpenter, Dan O'Bannon
Production Co: University of Southern California (USC), Jack H. Harris Enterprises
Rating: G
Genre: Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 7, 2020
Runtime: 1h 23m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: 35mm, 16mm, Flat (1.85:1)

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