Dark City (1998) - Mind-Bending Film | Filmiway

Dark City

1998•Alex Proyas•120 min•R

The Experience

A man struggles with memories in a sunless city run by aliens who telekinetically reshape the world and human identities every night.

Cast & Crew

Director: Alex Proyas

Starring: Rufus Sewell, Jennifer Connelly

Production Details

Budget: $27 million

Box Office: $27 million

Age Rating:R
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Content Advisory

Contains: Mature Content

0:02:38 → 0:03:00
🔞
Partial nudity (man)
Mild
0:18:00 → 0:19:00
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Nudity (woman)
High
Viewer Discretion Advised

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INTENSITY GRAPH

Narrative Analysis
Waking Up(45%)
The Tuning(70%)
Shell Beach(80%)
Battle of Minds(90%)
Sunlight(95%)
Sci-Fi: 50%Sci-Fi: 50%Sci-Fi: 50%Sci-Fi: 50%Sci-Fi: 50%Sci-Fi: 50%Sci-Fi: 50%Sci-Fi: 50%Sci-Fi: 50%Sci-Fi: 50%Sci-Fi: 50%Sci-Fi: 50%Sci-Fi: 50%Sci-Fi: 50%Sci-Fi: 50%Sci-Fi: 50%Mystery: 30%Mystery: 30%Mystery: 30%Mystery: 30%Mystery: 30%Mystery: 30%Mystery: 30%Mystery: 30%Mystery: 30%Mystery: 30%Thriller: 20%Thriller: 20%Thriller: 20%Thriller: 20%Thriller: 20%Thriller: 20%

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CINEMATIC DNA

Genre Analysis
Sci-Fi
50%
Mystery
30%
Thriller
20%

Genre DNA Distribution

  • Sci-Fi: 50%
  • Mystery: 30%
  • Thriller: 20%

Movie Intensity Arc

  • Minute 10: Waking Up (45/100 Intensity)
  • Minute 30: The Tuning (70/100 Intensity)
  • Minute 60: Shell Beach (80/100 Intensity)
  • Minute 85: Battle of Minds (90/100 Intensity)
  • Minute 98: Sunlight (95/100 Intensity)

Community Reviews

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FAQ About Dark City

Common questions about Dark City and this extraordinary reality-warping story.

Are they in space?

Yes. The twist reveals that the 'City' is actually a massive space station / habitat constructed by the Strangers, floating through the cosmos, not located on Earth at all.

Why is it always night?

The Strangers are parasitic aliens who are sensitive to light. They keep the city in perpetual darkness to survive, using their telekinetic powers to tune the city while the humans sleep.

What is 'The Tuning'?

Tuning is the Strangers' ability to physically reshape the city's architecture and alter human memories. They swap people's identities daily to study the human soul.

How is this related to The Matrix?

Dark City was released one year before The Matrix and shares identical themes (simulated reality, chosen one) and even used some of the same sets (the rooftops) for filming.

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Curated by Filmiway Editorial Team

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