This shadowy 90s science fiction flick is a must-see throwback. You can see it in the tubi

Techno-Noir and Cyberpunk have flourished in science fiction for decades, especially in film. A film that combines the dark atmosphere and boring perspective of film noir and a futuristic dystopian environment that leans towards a world where technology blurs the boundaries between humanity and machinery. In the 90s, Matrix was a breakout hit in the genre, but there was also the option to fly under the radar when it was released.

One of my often overlooked favorites is Dark City, a mind-bending techno noir thriller exploring the idea of identity against a city’s background covered in darkness. The underrated gem released in 1998 is a year ago before the Matrix and streams for free pipe Right now.

Look at the tubi

I’ve been a fan of Techno-Noir Vibes since I first saw Blade Runner, and the 90s offered beautiful sets that I felt were real and gritty in the best ways, amazing stories, and great options to turn my eyes to the world.

Dark City offers a futuristic city covered in shadows, with the atmosphere of 1950s automobile and costume designs.

The man wakes up in the bathtub and doesn’t remember who he is or how he got there. Soon, things will fall off the rails. There is a dead woman in the next room. An inexplicable phone call telling our unknown protagonist as he emerges from there, and a mystery that begins to unfold in the dark streets of the city. John Murdoch slowly understands who he is through a series of clues, like his name on the ledger of the motel and his briefcase.
He is both troubled by both sides as he tries to understand what happened. Police inspector Frank Bumstead is trying to unravel the case of a dead prostitute leading him to John. And then there is a mysterious “stranger.”

These are tall, pale men who appear to have the ability to change reality through “tuning.” John is cornered by these strangers, but can change reality in moments of despair and escape their clutches.

Soon, the clock bumps into midnight, John sees everyone in the city falling asleep, and strangers use their mysterious abilities to change the architecture of the city itself.

As John attempts to regain his memory, he remembers coming from a small town outside the town called Shell Beach. However, any attempt to reach it fails. At this point, John is arrested by an inspector. He believes him when he explains that something strange is happening in the city and uses his abilities to prove it.
The Dark City vibe, set design and overall cinematography make every frame worthy of attention. The 100-minute length is infused with questions such as mystery and drama rather than answers. The Strangers steal John and John and the Inspector, a local doctor with information about the strangers and where they came from, and the city continues to change and lock everyone up in alleys.
When you find out what strangers really want and how they adopt to find the answer, I won’t ruin the third act for you. Things really start going from the strange thing to the strange thing when John begins to solve the mystery he woke up. Murder, amnesia, and cities are all linked by strangers and once you know what happened, you won’t be able to return.

Dark City has reached cult classic status for good reason. It may not have been at the box office, but it is still a great watch 27 years from now. It’s one of the sci-fi movies that take me with me every time, and the cast offers first-rate performances. Ring it for free on Tubi and discover your mystery.