This Criminally Forgotten Sci-Fi Dystopia Deserves Your Attention, Fans Say

We're always on the hunt for the kind of movies that make you wonder why they didn't become instant classics. And this sci-fi dystopia we're going to talk about today is no exception.

Speaking of sci-fi, the late 90s were absolutely wild for the genre. We had The Matrix, Gattaca, and a bunch of other mind-blowing films that completely changed the game. But among all those heavy hitters, some equally amazing movies just didn't get the spotlight they deserved.

And in our humble opinion, the 90s had this special sauce when it came to sci-fi. The perfect blend of practical effects and early CGI, combined with these super deep storylines about technology and society? We'll take two (and more), please!

But today, let's focus on just one.

Dark City Is a Masterpiece You've Been Missing Out On

This movie is like The Matrix's cooler cousin. It has a killer noir vibe mixed with sci-fi elements we've never seen before.

The story follows John Murdoch (played by the criminally underrated Rufus Sewell) who wakes up in a bathtub with no memories (classic, right?). But behold, because this is just the beginning. The police are after him for a series of brutal murders he has no recollection of committing.

The story is set in the perpetually dark city where things get super weird at midnight. And when we say weird, we mean the entire city morphs and changes while everyone's asleep. How wild is that?

And the visuals are absolutely insane for 1998. This gorgeous blend of noir aesthetic with dystopian sci-fi that makes Blade Runner look like it's playing it safe. The city itself is basically its own character, and the cinematography does a great job of conveying that.

Dark City Lives Rent-Free in Every Sci-Fi Fan's Mind

The online community 's love for Dark City runs deep, and for good reason.

As Redditor 200balloons put it:

“This is a pretty solid movie, entertaining throughout, & definitely rewards repeat viewings.”

We couldn't agree more, as each watch reveals new layers and things that were never there before. We guarantee you'll catch something new every single time you watch it.

Another fan whoabbolly wrote:

“It's a psychological thriller, so it tickles the brain. It's not an action movie if perhaps you were expecting it to be. So you gotta tune into the style of the movie in order to fully perceive it. It's a very dark and trippy tale, which is rather true --yet not. Careful as it can mess you up.”

Trust us, this is not an exaggeration. And the best way we can describe the feeling is that it’s very similar to a dream that just keeps slipping away.

Where to Stream Dark City?

So cancel your plans, grab some snacks, and prepare to question everything you know about reality (because after this, you absolutely will). You can watch Dark City right now on Amazon Prime and Apple TV+.