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IMDbPro

Dark City

  • 19981998
  • 1515
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
197K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
750
1,326
Rufus Sewell in Dark City (1998)
Trailer for Dark City
Play trailer2:14
2 Videos
99+ Photos
FantasyMysterySci-Fi

A man struggles with memories of his past, which include a wife he cannot remember and a nightmarish world no one else ever seems to wake up from.A man struggles with memories of his past, which include a wife he cannot remember and a nightmarish world no one else ever seems to wake up from.A man struggles with memories of his past, which include a wife he cannot remember and a nightmarish world no one else ever seems to wake up from.

IMDb RATING
7.6/10
197K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
750
1,326
  • Director
    • Alex Proyas
  • Writers
    • Alex Proyas(story)
    • Lem Dobbs(screenplay)
    • David S. Goyer(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Rufus Sewell
    • Kiefer Sutherland
    • Jennifer Connelly
Top credits
  • Director
    • Alex Proyas
  • Writers
    • Alex Proyas(story)
    • Lem Dobbs(screenplay)
    • David S. Goyer(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Rufus Sewell
    • Kiefer Sutherland
    • Jennifer Connelly
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 742User reviews
    • 206Critic reviews
    • 66Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 12 wins & 19 nominations

    Videos2

    Dark City
    Trailer 2:14
    Dark City
    Dark City
    Trailer 0:31
    Dark City

    Photos119

    Jennifer Connelly and Richard O'Brien in Dark City (1998)
    Kiefer Sutherland in Dark City (1998)
    Dark City (1998)
    Kiefer Sutherland in Dark City (1998)
    William Hurt in Dark City (1998)
    Rufus Sewell in Dark City (1998)
    Kiefer Sutherland and Richard O'Brien in Dark City (1998)
    Kiefer Sutherland in Dark City (1998)
    Ian Richardson in Dark City (1998)
    Dark City (1998)
    William Hurt in Dark City (1998)
    Rufus Sewell in Dark City (1998)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Rufus Sewell
    Rufus Sewell
    • John Murdochas John Murdoch
    Kiefer Sutherland
    Kiefer Sutherland
    • Dr Daniel Schreberas Dr Daniel Schreber
    Jennifer Connelly
    Jennifer Connelly
    • Emma Murdochas Emma Murdoch
    William Hurt
    William Hurt
    • Inspector Frank Bumsteadas Inspector Frank Bumstead
    Richard O'Brien
    Richard O'Brien
    • Mr Handas Mr Hand
    Ian Richardson
    Ian Richardson
    • Mr Bookas Mr Book
    Bruce Spence
    Bruce Spence
    • Mr Wallas Mr Wall
    Colin Friels
    Colin Friels
    • Walenskias Walenski
    John Bluthal
    John Bluthal
    • Karl Harrisas Karl Harris
    Mitchell Butel
    Mitchell Butel
    • Husselbeckas Husselbeck
    Melissa George
    Melissa George
    • Mayas May
    Frank Gallacher
    • Strombolias Stromboli
    Ritchie Singer
    Ritchie Singer
    • Hotel Manageras Hotel Manager…
    Justin Monjo
    • Taxi Driveras Taxi Driver
    Nicholas Bell
    Nicholas Bell
    • Mr Rainas Mr Rain
    Satya Gumbert
    • Mr Sleepas Mr Sleep
    Noah Gumbert
    • Mr Sleep Filming Doubleas Mr Sleep Filming Double
    Frederick Miragliotta
    Frederick Miragliotta
    • Mr Quickas Mr Quick
    • Director
      • Alex Proyas
    • Writers
      • Alex Proyas(story) (screenplay)
      • Lem Dobbs(screenplay)
      • David S. Goyer(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit
    John Murdoch awakens alone in a strange hotel to find that he has lost his memory and is wanted for a series of brutal and bizarre murders. While trying to piece together his past, he stumbles upon a fiendish underworld controlled by a group of beings known as The Strangers who possess the ability to put people to sleep and alter the city and its inhabitants. Now Murdoch must find a way to stop them before they take control of his mind and destroy him. —Anonymous
    neo noiralien racememorybeachexperiment344 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • They built the city to see what makes us tick. Last night one of us went off.
    • Genres
      • Fantasy
      • Mystery
      • Sci-Fi
      • Thriller
    • Certificate
      • 15
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      A number of pieces of the set, including those used for the rooftop chase, were sold to the production of The Matrix (1999) at the end of shooting.
    • Goofs
      (at around 1h 5 mins) When the glass partition is broken, a second sheet of glass is used to protect Jennifer Connelly. At slow speeds, John's hand is clearly visible reflected in this safety glass.
    • Quotes

      Dr. Schreber: I call them the Strangers. They abducted us and brought us here. This city, everyone in it... is their experiment. They mix and match our memories as they see fit, trying to divine what makes us unique. One day, a man might be an inspector. The next, someone entirely different. When they want to study a murderer, for instance, they simply imprint one of their citizens with a new personality. Arrange a family for him, friends, an entire history... even a lost wallet. Then they observe the results. Will a man, given the history of a killer, continue in that vein? Or are we, in fact, more than the sum of our memories?

    • Alternate versions
      The director's cut omits the opening monologue.
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: Palmetto/Senseless/Dangerous Beauty/Mrs. Dalloway/Nil by Mouth/Live Flesh (1998)
    • Soundtracks
      Le Chale Bleu
      Written by François Perchat (as Francois Perchat)
      Sung by Anita Kelsey

    User reviews742

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Why Have You Not Watched This Already?
    This film has action, science fiction and mystery elements and does all of them well.

    It is also original and engaging.

    However, what it does best is mood, atmosphere and ambiance. Those are some of the best since the original Blade Runner. Jennifer Connelly is one super hot babe too.
    helpful•16
    2
    • jospeh-T
    • Jun 1, 2021

    FAQ9

    • Is 'Dark City' based on a book?
    • What Roman mythological elements are found in the film?
    • How do I solve the "To Shell Beach..." game on the DVD?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 29, 1998 (United Kingdom)
    • Countries of origin
      • Australia
      • United States
    • Official site
      • WarnerBros.com
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Dark Empire
    • Filming locations
      • Museum Underground Station, Hyde Park, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
    • Production companies
      • Mystery Clock Cinema
      • New Line Cinema
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $27,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $14,378,331
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $5,576,953
      • Mar 1, 1998
    • Gross worldwide
      • $27,200,316
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 40 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

    Related news

    William Hurt dies at 71 by Jennie Kermode - 2022-03-14 00:44:23
    William Hurt dies at 71 by Jennie Kermode - 2022-03-14 00:44:23
    Mar 14eyeforfilm.co.uk
    William Hurt, Star of ‘Body Heat’ and ‘Broadcast News,’ Dead at 71
    William Hurt, Star of ‘Body Heat’ and ‘Broadcast News,’ Dead at 71
    Mar 13Rollingstone.com

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