Dark City
While it was overshadowed byThe Matrixa twelvemonth after its sacking , 1998’sDark Citystill endure thanks to its captivating , dystopian conclusion . look at with Rufus Sewell ’s unconnected protagonist , John Murdoch , in an anachronous metropolis , the film delves into the glowering underbody of the urban hobo camp , one that is inhabited by the alien species ( simply known as The Strangers ) . As Murdoch try out piecing together his past and prevent , director and screenwriter , Alex Proyas , takes everyone on a Kafkaesque journey that might contribute to more questions than reply .
Muchlike Neo fromThe Matrixand other sci - fi / fantasy archetypes , Murdoch serves as the “ Chosen One ” digit inDark City . However , his following of the truth and his ability to serve as a bridge circuit between the humans and the Strangers can guide to questions about the true nature of the titular closure . With Proyas intentionally not fix the time period , the phantasmagoric nature of the optic style is accelerated to another level . immingle influences of German classic , like M and Metropolis , with the cyber-terrorist severity ofBlade RunnerandAkira , Dark Citybuilds up to a bizarrely spectacular epilogue with Truman Show - like societal commentary .
Murdoch Realizes The True Extent Of His Powers
Right from the start , it is established that Murdoch is no ordinary human as he possess the world - altering powers of the Strangers ( “ tune ” ) . While these powers are hinted throughout the film , it is only towards the ending that he can realise the on-key extent of his tuning , thanks toKiefer Sutherland ’s iconic fiber Dr. DanielSchreber betray the Strangers . It turns out that the syringe that he throw in him with contain put on memories of the human doctor instructing Murdoch throughout his life on how to loose the full nature of his tuning . When this last happens , Murdoch is capable to defeat the Strangers , even telekinetically gravel their drawing card Mr Book .
The final clash go on to show how Murdoch is clearly a deity - like being , single - handedly hold down the hive - tending society of the Strangers . As it is revealed earlier that despite their powers , the Strangers are a dying exotic species , it is clear that Murdoch ’s actions have wipe out their raceway in the end of one ofthe ' 90s most underestimate sci - fi pic . Murdoch ’s power are on display till the very end as he even floods the surrounding realm and creates mountain and beaches ( one of them being the sinister Shell Beach that he always wished to visit ) . Despite his newfound consciousness , the origins of Murdoch ’s powers still remain uncertain .
Is Murdoch Really Human?
A man with the index of the Strangers ; that is how Murdoch can be best key out , although the exact nature of his origin postulate a backstory ( which perhaps Proyas will touch upon in his plannedDark CityTV series ) . Towards the end , he comes off as a supreme being who is strong enough to make and manipulate world ( much likethe brawny Gods in global religionsand mythology ) . However , his final melody to Mr Hand might be a giveaway . Fully aware of his might after Schreiber ’s shot , Murdoch tells the last surviving Stranger that his airstream look in the haywire property to understand human nature - the mind .
While the Strangers used brainpower control after midnight to manipulate the realism of many world and expend them as vas , it is probable for a few humans to snap out of their Orwellian reality . Murdoch and otherDark Citycharacters like Emma , Frank , and Detective Eddie do start sensing that something is wrong . Their suspicions coupled with remnants of human emotion and memories ( regardless of being genuine or fabricate ) is what prompts them to ultimately go against the Strangers ( just likeGeorge Orwell ’s iconic dystopian novel - turned - movie,1984which find its lead story Winston and Julia rebelling against Big Brother ’s tyrannical regime ) .
compare to human race who possess single thought and legal action , the Strangers are revealed to divvy up a hive mind system , meaning that most of their thoughts and action are in unison . InDark City , the purpose of their corporate thinking is to guarantee the survival of their mintage . But by attempt to get into the idea of one man ( Murdoch ) and with Dr Schreber ’s deliberate last - arcminute effort to save mankind , they end up unleash a powerful being who needs no organised nous mesh to take them down . Such a hive mind can also be detect amongthe zombies inLast of Usand the Borgs inStar Trek .
Who Are The Humans In Dark City?
In one of his fierce encounters with the Strangers , Murdoch is told , “ We fashioned this city on stolen memories . Different eras , different past , all pluck into one . Each night we revise it , refine it , so as to take . ” If this was indeed the agendum of the Strangers , questions are bound to grow on the nature of these humans . Even though they are depicted as Earthlings , there are no direct references to the major planet . The DVD comment onDark Cityseems to extend two different explanation on this matter , a grounds rooted in sci - fi by Proyas and a more spiritual one byiconic co - writer David S Goyer .
Goyer reveals that Proyas believe that the world were inhabitants of an interstellar spaceship which was captured by the Strangers . This theory goes more in tandem with the parallels between theMatrixmovies andDark City . This is also corresponding to Plato’sAllegory of the Cave , which suggests that people in an imprisoned scope can live obliviously without understand they are captive . However , Goyer himself offers a more spiritual explanation with a Dante - inspired touch , intimate that all the humans in the urban center are actually beat withDark Cityserving as a purgatory - like proportion where the Strangers have bunch together stagnant humans from several historic earned run average .
The Ending Is Similar To The Truman Show
The progress of events from breaking down the brick wall that had Shell Beach notice on it to Murdoch in reality creating the beach with his tuning baron is interestingly comparable to the concluding aspect ofJim Carrey ’s iconicThe Truman Show , the psychological sarcasm that was release in the same year asDark City . Much like Murdoch , Jim Carrey ’s Truman examine to get out of the reality show that he ’s trapped in ( which he think was his absolutely happy real life history ) . Towards the end , Truman think he ’s about to sink only to discover the ocean is fake . Heading out to the show ’s exit doorway , Truman prepare himself for the real world .
Similarly , Murdoch too gets ready to start a new life , although the only deviation is Truman is still quick to enter the real world as we know it . Murdoch ’s current world can not be term as entirely substantial unlikeThe Truman Show ’s tragic realness . It is , yet again , a result of his own worshipful powers . While he changes the unknown urban center from a nocturnal Kafkaesque set piece to a more rude - looking globe on which the sun shines , he , yet again , reprise the Hz of manipulating reality . With spirals being a recur theme inDark City , it only wee sentiency for the cycle to continue .
The Strangers Are Tragic Villains In Dark City
The Strangers do off as the antagonist ofDark City . But Proyas himself call back of them more than “ tragical villain ” . The Strangers must ensure their survival of the fittest and commute the realities of humans ( and mentally enslaving them is the only unexpended option for them . The Strangers might look terrifying with pallid skinreminiscent of the Cenobite inHellraiserbut the humans themselves might have enslave them if the purpose were reversed . WithDark Cityserving as a commentary on " selection of the fittest , " it can still not be read that humanity turned out to be the dominant species as Murdoch also displays power of the very backwash that he annihilates .
The Real Meaning Of Dark City’s Ending
The end ofDark Citygoes on to show the immense possibility of world - construction that Proyas can search . For now , peace seems to be upon the urban center with Murdoch controlling it . But just like Murdoch replaced the Strangers , someone else might replace him from power with the inevitable circle of living carrying on . In this sense , the 1998 neo - noir is easy quite realistic in its tale and prompts questions about human beings ’s circumstances . Despite the references to ancient Greek mythology and philosophy , the lit of Kafka and Orwell , and landmark works of sci - fi , the end makesDark Citystand out on its own .
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