Dark City (1998)

Directed by Alex Proyas. Starring Rufus Sewell, Jennifer Connelly, William Hurt, Kiefer Sutherland, Richard O’Brien, Ian Richardson, Colin Friels, Bruce Spence, Melissa George. [R]

Visionary science fiction film set in a mysterious city where it seems to always be nighttime, and pale, creepy figures adorned in shiny black trenchcoats are able to psychokinetically manipulate their environment. A man named Murdoch (Sewell) with a confused past and almost no memory is being stalked by these “Strangers,” and discovers that he has the same psychic ability, but what are these sinister humanoids doing to the people and landscapes of the city and why? It’s an ominous mind-bender with a dense narrative featuring archetypal elements from 1940s film noir and 1920s German Expressionism—a beautiful but confused young woman (Connelly), a weary but determined detective (Hurt), a handicapped “mad” doctor (Sutherland), etc.—and the viewer is plunged headlong into a looping trail of discoveries at such a frenzied pace, it’s almost orchestrated to be absorbed first, considered later. A staggering visual achievement, teeming with strikingly-designed sets, ultra-stylish and atmospheric art direction, gorgeous photography, and the sort of imaginative special effects and inventions that rival prior mind-blowing genre triumphs like Blade Runner and Metropolis. Marred by some clunky dialogue and a tad too much self-seriousness, but it’s an overwhelming experience that both dazzles the eye and challenges the brain, ending up a true one-of-a-kind despite wearing its influences on its sleeves and, in turn, inspiring so many future projects/filmmakers. Newbies are recommended to start with the Director’s Cut, which removes the opening narration that spoils a few key plot points (initially inserted because of studio insistence that director Proyas “dumb it down” for audiences). Connelly’s singing voice was dubbed by Anita Kelsey.

94/100