27 Years Ago, This Gem Walked So 'The Matrix' & 'Inception' Could Run – But It's Still Overlooked
This is not just a forgotten gem – it is a foundational work.
Throughout the history of cinema, there have been "ghost" movies that viewers overlook, condemning them to oblivion. Alex Proyas' Dark City is a prime example of this phenomenon.
A box-office flop in 1998, this philosophical neo-noir detective gem has become deeply ingrained in modern cinema – without it, The Matrix, Memento, and Inception likely would not exist.
What Is 'Dark City' About?
John Murdoch wakes up in a city shrouded in eternal darkness. He has no memory of his past but learns that he is the prime suspect in a series of brutal murders.
As he tries to regain his memory, he learns that every night at midnight, mysterious creatures known as Strangers freeze time and change the city's architecture and its inhabitants' memories.
'Dark City' Has a Unique Visual Language
The city itself can rightly be considered the protagonist of the movie. Filmed entirely on sound stages, the city is an oppressive, claustrophobic labyrinth.
Cinematographer Dariusz Wolski and production designer Patrick Tatopoulos created a world devoid of open spaces where distorted perspectives and artificial light filtering through blinds create a constant sense of anxiety and disorientation.
Innovative digital color grading bathed the streets in cool blue-green tones, establishing the film's signature look, which others, including The Matrix, would emulate.
'Dark City' Wasn't a Success, but It Inspired a Number of Great Directors
Dark City was a resounding box office failure in 1998 – its complex, multilayered plot and grim aesthetic turned off mainstream audiences.
However, it was precisely these qualities that made it a cult classic and a source of inspiration for a generation of directors.
Christopher Nolan drew on its imagery in Memento and Inception, and the Wachowskis borrowed its color palette and sets for The Matrix.
Kurt Wimmer's Equilibrium and Underworld also show the influence of Dark City, and Guillermo del Toro and Zack Snyder have repeatedly professed their love for the film.
'Dark City' Has a Director's Cut
In 2008, Alex Proyas released a director's cut of Dark City that removed the spoiler-filled introduction and restored the original rhythm.
This version allowed viewers to appreciate Proyas's vision, cementing Dark City's status as one of the most important sci-fi works and a movie, whose impact is measured not by box office receipts, but by the number of minds it has touched.
What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Dark City'?
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Dark City has 77% from critics and 85% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.
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On IMDb, the movie has a score of 7.6/10.
Where to Watch 'Dark City'?
You can buy or rent Dark City on Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video.
