When we talk about movies, we usually give credit to direction, acting, screenplay, cinematography, and music, often neglecting the aesthetic details that complete the experience—such as makeup, editing, costumes, and production design. The films we consider masterpieces succeed because they harmonize these creative elements. But what about those that failed at the box office and faded from our memory, only to resurface in a random conversation?
Dark City (1998) belongs to this category of overlooked cinematic gems—though not without its flaws. Excessive exposition drains the mystery, secondary characters are underdeveloped, the effects aged prematurely, and the ending feels more like a rushed release of tension than a meaningful conclusion. Its fate also placed it in theaters a year before The Matrix (1999), a successful film that gained fame by exploring the same themes: identity, memory, and free will.
And yet, despite its weaknesses, Dark City never truly faded into oblivion. This is largely thanks to Patrick Tatopoulos’ set design. The Greek-French creator envisioned a city that feels like an endless labyrinth—a blend of 1940s noir aesthetics and surreal architecture with strong German Expressionist influences. The film's atmosphere is reminiscent of an Edward Hopper painting .
It’s one of those rare cases where critics at the time praised it, but audiences remained indifferent. Personally, I consider it director Alex Proyas’ best work. I’ve always appreciated his ideas and the creative risks he takes, even though he sometimes struggles to fully realize his ambitions. That said, even if his films aren’t flawless, they always have something to offer—except, of course, Gods of Egypt (2016).
Do you guys have any suggestion for a movie to watch on Weekend??