A Scanner Darkly

2006 • 100 minutes

4.3

77 reviews

68%

Tomatometer

Rating

Eligible

About this movie

Set in a not-too-distant future where America has lost its "war" on drugs, Fred, an undercover cop, is one of many people hooked on the popular drug, Substance D, which causes its users to develop split personalities. Fred is obsessed with taking down Bob, a notorious drug dealer, but due to his Substance D addiction, he does not know that he is also Bob. Based on a classic novel by Philip K. Dick. Starring Keanu Reeves ("Constantine," "The Matrix" trilogy), Academy Award-nominee and Golden Globe-winner Winona Ryder ("Girl, Interupted," "Mr. Deeds"), Academy Award and Emmy-nominee and Golden Globe-winner Robert Downey Jr. ("Good Night, And Good Luck" "Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang"), and Academy Award and Golden Globe-nominee and Emmy-winner Woody Harrelson ("North Country," "The People vs. Larry Flynt"). Directed by Academy Award-nominee Richard Linklater ("Before Sunset," "Dazed and Confused"). Filmed in live-action, and then animated using the same critically acclaimed process that Linklater used in his previous film, "Waking Life." MPAA Rating: R (c) 2006 Warner Bros. Entertainment. All Rights Reserved.

Rating

Ratings and reviews

4.3

77 reviews

Ian Edmonds (EdShift)

August 20, 2018

Philip K. Dick is a force outside you're normal type of forces. There's a lot of Psychedelic stuff in this movie and that's as it should be but there's a healthy dose of skepticism here and that's also really pertinent. Acid removes the Veil. Largely the subconscious biases you had before you took it. All the people I know that have taken acid gravitate toward a free society without any prejudicial laws. The will is for the people and government has no need to stand in. "The children of acid will prevail" Maybe not. Acid is not the answer but is a valid viewpoint that needs to be considered.. It typified the 60s and large parts of the 70s and keeps a following today. Luv and Peace.

VGNSK8RQU33N

April 13, 2017

As someone who avoids even painkillers until absolute agony and desperation set in, this was somewhat educational. Why would anyone willingly do that to themselves? Watch this with someone you care about who's into drugs and ask them without asking - do they really want to end up brain damaged? Or dead? Liked it better on second viewing. It's funny in places with outstanding performances by all involved; the ending isn't happy but it's ideal. The animation is interesting - had to be this way for that Everyman suit some of the police wear plus it probably has that drug induced psychedelic look at times. I'm so buying it!

2 people found this review helpful

Elwyn Roberts

November 8, 2018

One of the best Philip K. Dick story adaptations that makes sense of his brilliant psychedelic viewpoints. Funny, subversive and paranoid as only Philip K. Dick could imagine it. '..Let them play again, in some other way, and let them be happy.' - Philip K. Dick.