IMDb > Dark City (1998)
Dark City
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Dark City (1998) More at IMDbPro »

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Dark City (1998) -- A man struggles with memories of his past, including a wife he cannot remember, in a nightmarish world with no sun and run by beings with telekinetic powers who seek the souls of humans.
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Dark City (1998) -- Sinematurk - Trailer (Flash)
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Overview

User Rating:
7.8/10   56,709 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
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Director:
Alex Proyas
Writers (WGA):
Alex Proyas (story)
Alex Proyas (screenplay) ...
more
Contact:
View company contact information for Dark City on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
27 February 1998 (USA) more
Tagline:
They built the city to see what makes us tick. Last night one of us went off. more
Plot:
A man struggles with memories of his past, including a wife he cannot remember, in a nightmarish world with no sun and run by beings with telekinetic powers who seek the souls of humans. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
6 wins & 7 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(145 articles)
50 Influential Scream Queens: Part 1
 (From Fangoria. 27 October 2009, 5:54 AM, PDT)

Triangle (Film Review)
 (From Fangoria. 26 October 2009, 4:05 AM, PDT)

User Comments:
Confusing at first but ultimately fantastic more (541 total)
US TV Schedule:
Wed. Nov. 118:00 AMFX   

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
Dark Empire (USA) (working title)
Dark World (USA) (working title)
more
MPAA:
Rated R for violent images and some sexuality.
Runtime:
100 min | 111 min (director's cut)
Country:
Australia | USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby Digital | SDDS | DTS
Certification:
Iceland:16 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia) | Canada:18 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:PA (Manitoba) | Spain:18 | South Korea:15 (original rating) | South Korea:18 (DVD rating) | USA:Not Rated (director's cut) | Argentina:16 | Australia:M | Brazil:14 | Chile:18 | Finland:K-16 | France:-12 | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:IIB | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:M | Norway:15 | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:NC-16 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | USA:R (certificate #34966)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The character of Dr. Daniel Schreber (Kiefer Sutherland), was slightly influenced by the White Rabbit from "Alice in Wonderland". more
Goofs:
Continuity: When John Murdoch wakes up in the bathtub, the blood on his forehead changes position several times. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Dr. Schreber: [voiceover] First there was darkness, then came the strangers.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Ryan vs. Dorkman (2003) (V) more
Soundtrack:
Sway more

FAQ

How do I solve the "To Shell Beach..." game on the DVD?
A Note Regarding Spoilers
How does Dr. Schreber remember the coming of the Strangers if he'd erased his own memories?
more
4 out of 5 people found the following comment useful.
Confusing at first but ultimately fantastic, 11 May 2005
8/10
Author: Barry_Delaney from United Kingdom

John Mudoch (Rufus Sewell) awakes in a bathtub completely naked, with blood dripping down his forehead, unaware of what is happening, he remembers nothing. In the next room he finds a dead body and a blood stained knife. What follows is john trying to piece together what is happening to him and what he unravels is one of the greatest science fiction stories ever put to film. There is a group called the strangers who have an ability to physically change surroundings of them and the people living in the city, they call this ability "tuning". They soon discover that john also has this ability, which is impossible as it would take a normal human a few lifetimes to gain the ability to "tune". Thats the most i can tell without giving away major plot points.

The movie is set in a 1940ish looking city where detectives are hunting John, along with the mysterious strangers. The tall buildings and the knowledge that the strangers could be anywhere in the city gives a menacing ambiance, heightening the tension in the movie and giving off a great effect on the viewer. The special effects in Dark City are stunning and realistic, especially when certain characters use "tuning".

Rufus Sewell gives a good performance as John Murdoch, though i could'nt help feeling he was holding back somewhat. I could think of a few other actors who could have gave a much better performance but he was generally good.

Kiefer Sunderland as Dr. Daniel Schreber was very good and seemed to have put all of his effort into his character, its quite an unusual role for Sunderland but he pulls it off pretty well.

Another performance worth mentioning is Richard O'Brien as Mr Hand, he gives a genuinely creepy performance as one of the main strangers, i thought i would see him and think crystal maze through all of his scenes but he does a pretty good job of playing a convincing character.

Overall the movie leaves a few unanswered questions, leaving the viewer to conduct their own theories about the outcome of events. I have a good grasp of the story as a whole but some people will find bits and pieces confusing. A great film anyways, i gave it an 8 because it tends to drag in some spots, but the end makes up for all doubts.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Dark City (1998)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Why was John the only one who questioned anything? Pete101
This is what happens,,, soslow
Protagonist's power ? onlsophisfilm
Kiefer rules so much in this Bill_Buchanan
You can't fake love. marius_em
So where do all the people living in the city come from? rscowboys
more

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