Darkman

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Darkman

R

Released Aug 24, 1990

1h 35m

Action

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

83%

Tomatometer

65 Reviews

59%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

When thugs employed by a crime boss lead a vicious assault on Dr. Peyton Wilder (Liam Neeson), leaving him literally and psychologically scarred, an emergency procedure allows him to survive. Upon his recovery, Wilder can find solace only by returning to his scientific work developing synthetic skin, and seeking revenge against the crime boss. He assumes a phantom avenger persona called Darkman, who, with malleable facial qualities, is able to infiltrate and sow terror in the criminal community.

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Critics Consensus

Gruesome and deliciously broad, Sam Raimi's Darkman bears the haunted soulfulness of gothic tragedy while packing the stylistic verve of onomatopoeia springing off a comic strip page.

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Chris Bennion

Times (UK)

Raimi’s visual flair papers over most of the cracks.

Apr 22, 2024

Full Review

Noel Murray

The Dissolve

Darkman is funny, but it's no joke; it's the work of a man who underlines the conventions of adventure stories and horror because he enjoys them, and knows that even when rendered tongue-in-cheek, they're timeless.

Rated: 4.0/5

Feb 20, 2014

Full Review

Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Darkman is a thrillingly demented pop spectacular: a grade-B movie made by a grade-A lunatic.

Rated: B

Sep 7, 2011

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Raimi’s first studio picture is first and foremost a director’s showcase.

Rated: 2.5/4

Feb 26, 2024

Full Review

Douglas Davidson

Elements of Madness

That the comedy, horror, and drama from a performance, narrative, and technical perspective still holds up, providing lessons on what could or should be done in film today, is noteworthy.

Feb 19, 2024

Full Review

Warren Sonbert

Bay Area Reporter

Because nothing in the movie builds, or is placed, or is set off against any other switch position than "Full Throttle," it's exhausting in a not exhilarating way.

Oct 17, 2023

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Jonathan O

This is the first superhero film before Sam Raimi's Spider-Man and Sam did really outstanding directing to make a R rated vigilante hero with his body badly burn and missing several body parts and using his technology to replace people's body to be a hero or a villain and really unbelievable stunts work and amazing cinematography and good writing to make it a original superhero/vigilante film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/13/24

Full Review

Laurian D

A mad movie, in the best possible way. It's disturbing but also exhilirating, funny but also moving at times, a very stand-out, unconventional dark tale. And the helicopter ride is one of the most spectacular scenes and stunts you'll ever see in a movie. You'll know what I'm talking about when you get there. Definitely worth watching, and you'll surely do that more than once. Skip the sequels though. Just like the sequels to The Crow, they should have never been made.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/26/24

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Jay H

A very entertaining movie.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/19/24

Full Review

Munkhchimeg T

Well performed to show the comedy and scary vibe in one movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/31/24

Full Review

Geke g

Sam Raimi’s way for making film is soo priceless

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/31/24

Full Review

Mooey H

Darkman is a hidden gem! 5 stars! Raimi's offbeat superhero tale is a wild ride with quirky humor and stunning visuals. The special effects hold up surprisingly well, and the action sequences are a blast. (Though, seriously, why didn't he just take the elephant?) Liam Neeson is fantastic as the disfigured scientist, and the supporting cast is equally strong. A must-see for fans of comic book movies with a twist.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/24/24

Full Review

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Sam Raimi

Director

Liam Neeson

Peyton Westlake

Frances McDormand

Julie Hastings

Colin Friels

Louis Strack Jr.

Larry Drake

Robert G. Durant

Nelson Mashita

Yakitito

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Darkman: Official Clip - Chopper Ride

2:56

Darkman: Official Clip - Call Me... Darkman

2:33

Darkman: Official Clip - Darkman Battles Strack

2:59

Darkman: Official Clip - Darkman Impersonates Pauly

2:51

Darkman: Official Clip - Escape From the Burn Ward

2:59

Darkman: Official Clip - Playing in Traffic

1:30

Darkman: Official Clip - The Pink Elephant

2:30

Darkman: Official Clip - Durant Sees Double

1:53

Darkman: Official Clip - You Have Been a Bad Boy!

1:10

Darkman: Official Clip - See the Dancing Freak!

1:45

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Synopsis

When thugs employed by a crime boss lead a vicious assault on Dr. Peyton Wilder (Liam Neeson), leaving him literally and psychologically scarred, an emergency procedure allows him to survive. Upon his recovery, Wilder can find solace only by returning to his scientific work developing synthetic skin, and seeking revenge against the crime boss. He assumes a phantom avenger persona called Darkman, who, with malleable facial qualities, is able to infiltrate and sow terror in the criminal community.

Director: Sam Raimi
Producer: Rob Tapert
Screenwriter: Chuck Pfarrer, Sam Raimi, Ivan Raimi, Joshua Goldin
Distributor: MCA/Universal Home Video, MCA/Universal Pictures [us]
Production Co: Universal Pictures, Renaissance Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Action, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 24, 1990, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 1, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $32.8M
Runtime: 1h 35m
Sound Mix: Dolby, Surround

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