Dark City (1998) – A City of Endless Night

Dark-City-1998-movie

You are living in a city where the sun never rises; you wake up in dark and go to sleep again without seeing light. The only light you see is the electric light either at your home, hotel, or streets. It’s Dark City!

In fact, you actually don’t remember when you had last seen the sun before falling asleep. Is it a day before, a month, or a year ago? You don’t remember and you don’t even question yourself!

Each night at midnight everything just falls asleep and strangers emerge from nowhere who run this nameless city by changing things at their will. And when you get up, it’s all different: you are a different person with different memories and you remember nothing from the past. Yes, you are in Dark City.

However, tonight is a bit different. When the clock struck midnight somebody has stayed awake. His name is John Murdoch (Rufus Sewell) and he finds himself in a bloody bathtub in a dodgy hotel room. He doesn’t remember anything, but when he gains control of his body and senses he finds that he is wanted in a series of murders.

As most of his memories have vanished, he started seeking the answer to many strange questions, about his life and the world he lives in. Meanwhile, he comes across those strangers who are after him for some reason.

The movie Dark City is about Murdoch’s struggle in getting answers to his questions and the motives of those strangers who have superfluous powers to create a world of their own.

Directed by Alex Proyas (who has also co-produced and co-written its screenplay) Dark City is a classic neo-noir film with original concepts and characters that certainly gives you an impression that when imagination goes wild, it has the potential to create a product that is all exemplary for its uniqueness. Its filming and special effects with great visual style may remind you of the likes of the Matrix film series but it is way ahead with its gripping mysteries and artistic vision.

Ever since its release in 1998, the film has become a cult classic for original artistic vision and narrative engagement with excellent screenplay and visually impressive scenes. Moreover, Murdoch’s character in Dark City is surprisingly engaging. If you have not watched it yet, buy or rent a DVD but don’t forget to see it on a widescreen TV.

Dark City (1998) Official Trailer 

Dark City (1998-released neo-noir science fiction film)
Directed by Alex Proyas
Screenplay by Alex Proyas, Lem Dobbs, and David S. Goyer
Story by Alex Proyas
Cast: Rufus Sewell, Kiefer Sutherland, Jennifer Connelly, Richard O’Brien, Ian Richardson, and William Hurt
Cinematography: Dariusz Wolski
Release Date/Year: February 27, 1998

Where to watch Dark City (1998)
This post is written, edited and published by the Cinecelluloid staff.

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