DARK CITY, Kiefer Sutherland, 1998, (c)New Line Cinema/courtesy Everett Collection (image upgraded to 17.8' x 11.8')
One of the most consistently expanding genres in the film industry remains the sci-fi genre and its diverse, sometimes dark, mind-bending stories, which keep you on the edge of your seat. Modern adaptations of sci-fi stories like Dune and the twisty 3 Body Problem have seen those relatively forgotten, yet beloved stories gain an all-new following.
Iconic franchises like Star Wars and Star Trek continue to expand their reach as well, decades after their launch, with newer stories being told each year. However, some original masterpieces are beginning to slip through the cracks. One such project is the 1990s film Dark City, which was somewhat of an underappreciated project within that decade, and has gone on to gather a cult following since. Set within an initially unidentified metropolitan area, Dark City follows John Murdoch , who wakes up with a bloodied forehead in the bathtub of a hotel room: he has no immediate recollection of his own name. Soon after, he gets a call from Dr. Schreber , who warns him that a group called the Strangers, a group of tall, pale people wearing identical black trench coats, is coming to grab him. Escaping outside, Murdoch finds himself in an utterly bizarre world, where every person in the city but himself falls asleep wherever they are as soon as the clock strikes twelve, allowing the Strangers to engage in"tuning" — making alterations to the surrounding reality. This is an ability Murdoch soon finds out he shares with the Strangers, and soon he begins to work towards uncovering the secrets behind the city’s existence and his unusual abilities. Dark City was released in early 1998, but the movie has been streaming on Tubi for free for some time now. However, the sci-fi mystery won't be available on the free streaming platform for long as it's leaving on April 11. Dark City is praised for blending multiple genres with ease — rolling into one murder mystery, a sci-fi thriller, and a classic noir. The sci-fi has also received some of the highest praise as the celebrated and revered author, George R. R. Martin, named the mystery among his favorite fantasy films, as he produced a list of truly exceptional works that transport viewers to alternate realities. The film was a hit with critics, with a 78% score on Rotten Tomatoes and an audience score of 85%. Related A Lightning Round of Riveting Historical Dramas in the Collider TV Quiz! Television has long been a modern touchstone for events of the past. Let's look at eight shows that look at eight moments in history. Posts By Macklen Makhloghi Who Else Is in 'Dark City'? Dark City was directed by Alex Proyas and released in 1998, blending German Expressionism, film noir, and dystopian sci-fi. The film is one of the boldest genre blends of the 1990s, with its visuals paying homage to the paintings of Edward Hopper. Besides Sutherland and Sewell, the film also features Jennifer Connelly and William Hurt. Despite being overshadowed by later films with similar ideas, Dark City still stands tall as one of the most imaginative and unsettling sci-fi flicks of the 1990s. In 2021, director Proyas announced plans to develop a television series with the project in early stages and the plan to expand the cult classic's sci-fi noir universe. Speaking at the time, Proyas said: “Dark City right now is really an intriguing one to me because we’re developing a series, a Dark City series. I’m having to reanalyze in order to construct a new story. I’m having to go back and kind of jog my memory as to what we actually did and what I think worked and what I think didn’t work and reevaluate my own film, so that’s been a very interesting experience as well which I’ve not done before.” Dark City Like Follow Followed R Mystery Sci-Fi Release Date February 27, 1998 Runtime 100 minutes Director Alex Proyas Writers Alex Proyas, David S. Goyer, Lem Dobbs Producers Andrew Mason, Brian Witten Cast See All
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