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It seems like Cyberpunk is closer than ever, and techno noir is back. With their tripped-out viewpoints, dystopian-futuristic settings, and dark emotions, films in this genre combine film noir and science fiction. Flicks like Blade Runner and The Matrix may have popularized the genre, but they’re full of gems that are worth your time.
One of my favorite films that I overlooked is Dark City, a stunning techno noir thriller that explores the idea of identity against the backdrop of a city immersed in darkness. This absolute gem was released in 1998, predating The Matrix by a year, and is streaming free on tubes now.
I’ve been a fan of techno noir since the first time I watched Blade Runner, and the ’90s offered a series of excellent choices that kept me entertained with beautiful sets, stunning stories, and worlds that felt real and gritty in the best ways.
Dark City presents a futuristic city steeped in shadows, with a 1950s vibe like robotic cars or fashion design, a style I can’t get enough of.
A man wakes up in a bathtub with no memory of who he is or how he got there. Almost immediately, things went off the rails. There’s a dead woman in the next room, a mysterious phone call telling the nameless protagonist to get out of there, and a mystery that begins to unfold in the dark city streets. John Murdoch slowly discovers his identity through a series of clues, such as his name on the hotel ledger and his suitcase.
As he tries to figure out what happened, he is surrounded from both sides. Police Inspector Frank Bumstead tries to uncover the case of the dead prostitutes, which leads him to John. Then there are the mysterious “strangers.”
Strangers
These are tall, pale men who seem to have the ability to alter reality through ‘discipline’. John is besieged by these strangers, but in a moment of desperation he manages to change reality and escape their clutches.
Soon, the clock strikes midnight, and John watches everyone in the city sleep, and the strangers use their mystical powers to change the architecture of the city itself.
As John tries to regain his memories, he remembers that he is from a small town outside the city called Shell Beach. However, any attempts to reach it end in failure. At this point, John is arrested by the Inspector, who believes him when he explains that something strange is happening in the city and uses his seizure power to prove it.
Dark City’s atmosphere, set design, and sweeping cinematography make every frame worth noting. The 100-minute long thriller is packed with mystery, drama, and more questions than answers. The Strangers are chasing John and the Inspector, a local doctor with information about the Strangers and where they came from, and the city continues to change, trapping everyone within its alleys.
I won’t spoil it for you in Act Three when you find out what strangers are really searching for, and the methods they use to find the answers. As John begins to uncover the mystery that has awakened within him, things go from strange to real. Murders, amnesia and the entire town are linked to strangers, and once they find out what happened, there is no turning back.
Dark City has reached cult classic status for good reason. Although it wasn’t a huge success at the box office, it’s still an amazing watch 27 years later. It’s one of those sci-fi movies that grabs me every time, and the cast delivers top-notch performances. Stream it for free on Tubi, and discover the mystery for yourself.