A Scanner Darkly

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A Scanner Darkly

R

Released Jul 7, 2006

1h 40m

Action

Drama

Sci-Fi

Mystery & Thriller

Animation

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Popcornmeter

68%

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185 Reviews

74%

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100,000+ Ratings

In the near future, as America virtually loses the war on drugs, Robert Arctor, a narcotics cop in Orange County, Calif., becomes an addict when he goes under cover. He is wooing Donna, a dealer, to ferret out her supplier. At the same time, he receives orders to spy on his housemates, one of whom is suspected of being Donna's biggest customer.

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Critics Consensus

A faithful adaptation of Philip K. Dick's novel, A Scanner Darkly takes the viewer on a visual and mind-blowing journey into the author's conception of a drug-addled and politically unstable world.

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Brian Tallerico

UGO

Linklater never pretends that he has all the answers, but he asks the questions in such an interesting, elegant fashion that you'll be glad you came along for the ride.

Mar 24, 2007

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Dana Stevens

Slate

As A Scanner Darkly proves, Keanu is the Coolness -- passive blankness, leaden line delivery, and all. Let's hear it for the vague blur.

Sep 23, 2006

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Robert Hanks

Independent (UK)

It is not a great film, but an insidious one, the sort that gets under your skin. It leaves you scrabbling at aphids, hoping they really are in your imagination.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 19, 2006

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

A Scanner Darkly beautifully, and chillingly, considers Dicks persistent theme that our culture has destroyed its own ability to perceive objective reality.

Rated: 4/4

Mar 21, 2022

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Taylor Baker

Drink in the Movies

Episode 34: Relaxer / A Scanner Darkly / The Beach Bum / Holy Motors

Rated: 86/100

Sep 14, 2021

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David Walsh

World Socialist Web Site

The hostility toward the Bush administration and its police-state ambitions is legitimate and no doubt deeply felt, but it is not particularly well developed.

Feb 14, 2021

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Gorptholemew T

🍀 4.9/10 I feel like this movie requires you to smoke marijuana while watching it. Unfortunately I did not understand it and that’s OK. Still stacked cast and some pretty good performances, it’s definitely different but just not really my thing.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

10/06/24

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Nano N

Animation is fascinating enough on its own to make this worthwhile. Funny and serious.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/21/24

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Carlos I

I always trust Linklater to make interesting choices, and go for the high concept ideas, as he chews on weightier material. And this is no different. I love the concept of tackling this story with rotoscoping animation, but it was a little distracting here. Which is unfortunate, as he probably could've had a sci-fi classic if he just made the same thing, but with traditional filmmaking...

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/16/24

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Lucifer M

A true to the source material adaptation that’s engaging and entertaining by making you think while also hooking you with its almost animated cinematography. The film just pops like a moving graphic novel and with a great cast telling the story, Dick fans and sci-fi enthusiasts will certainly be pleased by this gem!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/10/24

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Doro B

A Scanner Darkly holds both a microscope and outstretched hand towards drug addiction. It is also a masterful use of this particular style of rotoscoping --- probably one of the best to this day. It's ability to blend fantasy and reality perfectly fits the film, in both plot and theme. Richard Linklater has proven he is a talent in multiple genres.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/30/24

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John P

I mean... this is what a boring version of trainspotting would be. Rather slow, doesn't really seem to go anywhere, and the ending is entirely predictable. The only saving grace is the 'art' overlay. Just wish that could have been used on a better done movie.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/08/24

Full Review

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Synopsis

In the near future, as America virtually loses the war on drugs, Robert Arctor, a narcotics cop in Orange County, Calif., becomes an addict when he goes under cover. He is wooing Donna, a dealer, to ferret out her supplier. At the same time, he receives orders to spy on his housemates, one of whom is suspected of being Donna's biggest customer.

Director: Richard Linklater
Producer: Tommy Pallotta, Jonah Smith, Anne Walker-McBay, Palmer West
Screenwriter: Richard Linklater
Distributor: Warner Independent
Production Co: Detour Filmproduction, Thousand Words, Warner Independent Pictures, Section Eight Ltd., 3 Arts Entertainment
Rating: R (Drug and Sexual Content|A Brief Violent Image|Language)
Genre: Action, Drama, Sci-Fi, Mystery & Thriller, Animation
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 7, 2006, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2009
Box Office (Gross USA): $5.5M
Runtime: 1h 40m
Sound Mix: Dolby SRD, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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