Darkman

Name: Darkman
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller, Crime
Released: August 24, 1990
Duration: 96 min
Rating: 65
Cast: Frances McDormand, Liam Neeson

1990

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 15 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 256 Ratings

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8.5

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8.5	User Score Universal acclaim based on 256 Ratings

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Darkman

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Movie Details & Credits

Universal Pictures | Release Date: August 24, 1990 | R

Starring: Frances McDormand, Liam Neeson

Summary: A hideously scarred and mentally unstable scientist seeks revenge against the mobster who ruined his life.

Director: Sam Raimi

Genre(s): Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 96 min

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Critic Reviews

Jay Carr

The film works because Raimi's motor-rhythmed pop sensibility was ready to take off in this movie, and does, in a series of wonderfully hyperkinetic comic-strip lurches. [24 Aug. 1990, p.34]

Ted Mahar

Raimi does everything extravagantly and swiftly in Darkman. Instead of deriving from a particular comic book, he seems to be creating one -- or creating a film series. Or a TV series. Or two of the three. [24 Aug. 1990, p.R11]

Noel Murray

Darkman is funny, but it’s no joke; it’s the work of a man who underlines the conventions of adventure stories and horror because he enjoys them, and knows that even when rendered tongue-in-cheek, they’re timeless. Read full review

Michael Wilmington

What many American movies do well these days -- action, violence, hell-for-leather street spectacle -- Darkman does better. That may be praise enough. [24 Aug. 1990, p.F10]

Rita Kempley

Darkman, as unnerving as a gargoyle, is a classic nightmare, elegant and sumptuous, everything "Batman" should have been. But we're numbed after a while, as we are by the grotesquerie of the nightly news. Then again, maybe that's Raimi's intention. His work is beautiful in its scary way, and never only skin deep. Read full review

Jay Boyar

It's a fairly effective melodrama with an inventive visual design, swift pacing and convincing performances by Liam Neeson (as Westlake/Darkman), Frances McDormand (as Westlake's girlfriend) and Larry Drake (as the heavy). [24 Aug. 1990, p.4]

Hal Lipper

Darkman is a spectacularly ill-conceived combination of Batman and The Phantom of the Opera. [24 Aug. 1990, p.6]

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User Reviews

TylerDurden900

Jul 16, 2014

Darkman has amazing action, stylish visuals and great acting from a clever cast. The screenplay was
written by Sam Raimi and the story is engrossing. The movie has an old school style and the movie
looks newer than it is A+.

29 of 31 users found this helpful292

Trey333

Nov 26, 2022

Great revenge film. Liam Nielsan's finest performance. He should have given up acting after this.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Equixz0r

Jan 11, 2016

Great film! I love the concept of the character and the execution! Sam Raimi did an amazing job. But, did Darkman forget about the skin working at night? After he became the "hero" he never once used the liquid skin at night time and was always worried about it melting at 99 minutes. AfterGreat film! I love the concept of the character and the execution! Sam Raimi did an amazing job. But, did Darkman forget about the skin working at night? After he became the "hero" he never once used the liquid skin at night time and was always worried about it melting at 99 minutes. After the accident, he completely forgets that i guess cause you never once get to see him us liquid skin at night or in a dark room. Very confusing and the only reason it doesn't get a 10.… Expand

5 of 6 users found this helpful51

Nickkan

Apr 9, 2023

Solid super hero movie with some great ideas and camera shots. The music is also great, but some moments are stupid, but on a entertaining way.

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

ydnar4

Jul 17, 2015

Darkman is a completely original character created by Sam Rami when he couldn't acquire rights to make a Batman film. Darkman has a fairly simple, revenge driven plot and although there are certainly more than a few similarities between Batman and Darkman I really enjoy Darkman as aDarkman is a completely original character created by Sam Rami when he couldn't acquire rights to make a Batman film. Darkman has a fairly simple, revenge driven plot and although there are certainly more than a few similarities between Batman and Darkman I really enjoy Darkman as a character. A young Liam Neeson was an ideal choice for Darkamn and its a shame that he did not return for a sequel. I'd watch one with him even now 25 years later, and I'm sure it would make lots of money. You can see how Sam Rami was chosen to direct a Spider-man film after watching this one. You can see the similarities between the two films and there are also some influences from Rami's other films like Evil Dead 2. This film also has an excellent score much like Spider-man did afterwards. If you are a real superhero film fan then watch Darkman and you will see a film that influences a lot of the films to come after it.… Expand

1 of 11 users found this helpful110

Spangle

Feb 1, 2016

Darkman is a film that is dripping with 1980s-1990s cheese with awful special effects, but manages to overcome that with a fantastic performance from Liam Neeson and a very good superhero origin story. Directed and conceptualized by Sam Raimi, the film is well-written and well-plotted andDarkman is a film that is dripping with 1980s-1990s cheese with awful special effects, but manages to overcome that with a fantastic performance from Liam Neeson and a very good superhero origin story. Directed and conceptualized by Sam Raimi, the film is well-written and well-plotted and does a great job siding you with Neeson's character, Darkman. As a superhero film, it plays out largely as it would in a comic and shows Raimi's willingness to adapt his original character to the conventions of the genre. While the special effects do hold the film back, the heartfelt and very well designed character and make-up effects do make up for that negative. Plus, the film is so well-directed by Sam Raimi's sure hand that it is nearly impossible to not enjoy this. A very good time, Darkman is a down-to-earth superhero movie that has a human heart and a human exterior, which makes it all the much better.… Expand

0 of 12 users found this helpful012

PANCHO_SANSA

Aug 15, 2019

Liam Neeson gives his worst performance ever in this. The script seems like it was written by a 9 year old. The special effects are garbage, even for 1990.

0 of 13 users found this helpful013

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