Dark City (1998)

Director: Alex Proyas

Cast: Rufus Sewell as John Murdoch, William Hurt as Inspector Frank Bumstead, Kiefer Sutherland as Dr. Daniel P. Schreber, Jennifer Connelly as Emma Murdoch / Anna, Richard O'Brien as Mr. Hand, Ian Richardson as Mr. Book, Bruce Spence as Mr. Wall, Colin Friels as Det. Eddie Walenski, John Bluthal as Karl Harris, Mitchell Butel as Officer Husselbeck, Melissa George as May, Frank Gallacher as Chief Insp. Stromboli, Ritchie Singer as Hotel Manager / Vendor, Justin Monjo as Taxi Driver, Nicholas Bell as Mr. Rain

I'm not saying the acting was perfect, i'm not trying to say the story
was told in the most professional way or all by rules of film-making.
It wasn't at all an up-tempo film Hollywood style with lots of
explosions and rapid smart dialogs.

But, somehow, unlike most films with few exceptions, it had the
capability of putting you in a certain mood. A mood of inconvenience,
because you become one with the character John Murdoch, mostly thanks
to Sewell's acting. Maybe it's because when I've seen this movie, it's
always way past midnight, but I guess it's part of the ultimate
experience from it.

The thing is I've only felt this way about a movie once before, and
unfortunately, I can't remember the title of that movie, only that it
ended with a picture of an ocean, and an alone man on the beach,
leaving us never knowing if he would ever meet his girl again or not. I
love when a picture put that enormous hill of emotions in your heart,
and just as many questions in your head. That feeling, that mood.

Most of the actors has received bad reviews for this movie, not least
on this forum. But in my opinion, Rufus Sewell is doing his part very
well. First so uncertain, then slowly growing into his role. Keither
Sutherland, in a pretty uncomfortable role as a scared, weak doctor
does it surprisingly good. William Hurt is hard and scarred, but soft
on the inside. I guess the actors are telling more about their parts
than the script itself.

Generally, all the actors seem to have captured this feeling, this
sense, that colors all throughout the picture, making the picture. You
are not watching it. You are in it. You are John Murdoch.

I'd like to end with a quote

John Murdoch: "When was the last time you remember doing something
during the day?"

It sort of reveals the touch of it. If you haven't seen it, see it, in
the middle of the night! If you've seen it daytime, see it again at
nighttime. Not because you're tired, but because it's dark.