Dark City (1998)
The Matrix you didn’t know about.
Presentation:
Prior to the immeasurable The Matrix, was a brilliant but overshadowed cyberpunk thriller called Dark City. It’s quite clearly why this film was lost to time when you compare the two, but that’s a testament to how good of a film the Wachowskis made rather than the quality of this one. There is a more steampunk atmosphere in this film, which reminds me of eXistenZ, Minority Report, and other popcorn sci-fi narratives . This is partly because the direction of the film has less gravitas and feels more like a suspense film than a thriller. The pacing is rhythmically fast and doesn’t allow viewers to bask in the mood of this dark gothic city. The best part of the film is undoubtedly the world building and set design. The actors and performances are either over the top, invisible, or cartoonish. There’s just not a lot of character or chemistry for us to latch onto.
Conclusion:
An inspiration for Bladerunner 2049 and The Batman, unfortunately the quality of the performances don’t match the visuals. I’m not certain of its lasting legacy, but it will nevertheless be a stepping stone for higher quality films. If you want visual inspiration or to get lost in a dark city, this might should be right up your dim alley.
Recommendations
The Matrix you didn’t know about.