Dark City (1998) - Underrated science-fiction cult movie with astonishing visual effects, excellent acting performances and gripping plot - 10/10 (19/06/21)

Dark City is one of the very best dystopian science-fiction movies ever released and deserves more acclaim and attention than it has already gotten. The story revolves around a man who awakes in the bathtub of a dirty hotel room. He doesn't remember who he is and how he got there. To make matters worse, there is the dead body of a female in the hotel room. The man has to find out his identity in order to prove his innocence and reveal the real culprits behind the gruesome crime in a city where the sun never shines.

This film convinces on many levels. First of all, the visual effects are absolutely astonishing. The entire movie takes place in a dark city that gives the film a gloomy atmosphere. The scarce use of light sources in advertisements, buildings and vehicles works very efficiently.

Up next, the acting performances are truly convincing. Rufus Sewell delivers the goods as resilient outsider looking for the truth. William Hurt impresses as curious inspector. Kiefer Sutherland shines as nervous doctor with a hidden agenda. Jennifer Connelly convinces as innocent woman caught up in a web of lies.

The story is also truly intriguing. The movie starts on a mysterious note and gets only more intriguing with each and every scene. The film offers a few intelligent surprises and twists that will keep the audience watching until the very end.

To keep it short, Dark City is a cult movie and among the very best dystopian science-fiction films ever released. It convinces with its memorable visual effects, excellent acting performances and intriguing plot. This movie even outshines similar films that were shot later on such as The Matrix. If you haven't watched Dark City yet, make sure to do so as this film has aged particularly well. If you already know this film, give yourself a present and enjoy it again once in a while.