Dark City – Saturday 8th February 2025

I remember when this film came out in the late 90’s... I had absolutely no interest in seeing it! It just looked too strange for my taste, and also, there were no actors in it that I really liked (that’s changed; William Hurt and Jennifer Connelly are both great!). It was a period of great movies, so there wasn’t really a need to see every interesting film that came out (unlike now, when good movies are becoming as rare as honest politicians!).

Anyway, I finally got around to watching it, 27-odd years later, and it was definitely worth it!
I saw the Director’s Cut, so I’ve no idea how the theatrical went down, but it was good! At first, I wasn’t really feeling it, but as the story progresses, and the mysteries are revealed, you find yourself enjoying it more.

It definitely has Matrix vibes, not only in the noir aesthetic, but also in terms of the themes of the story (this film came out first). I’m not sure Rufus Sewell had enough charisma to carry a film like this; he’s meant to be a proxy for the audience, and doesn’t quite cut it. That said, William Hurt is solid as ever, and Jennifer Connelly is always a welcome sight.

The star of the show, however, is the cinematography! It’s the epitome of cinema!

The film is rich with subtext, and like The Matrix, there’s a lot to unravel in terms of states of consciousness and the mind’s ability to create the world we inhabit, as well as blind us to the truth of our reality.

Dark City feels less like a dream and more like a nightmare; one where the audience has to work to make it coherent (as was no doubt the intention). I didn’t like the villains, though; they reminded me of the Romulans in Star Trek Nemesis (a film that blatantly ripped off the aesthetics in this film), and I hate that movie!!

Like I said, it’s a good film, and one that probably rewards repeat viewings, as you can’t really watch it in a passive state of mind. This film will probably appeal more to cinephiles than a general audience, so if that’s you, definitely check it out.