A Scanner Darkly
2006 · Directed by Richard Linklater
Original language: English
- animation
- science fiction
- thriller
The story
An undercover cop in a not-too-distant future becomes involved with a dangerous new drug and begins to lose his own identity as a result.
What it’s like
Rotoscoped animation that shimmers and crawls, every frame traced over live-action footage so the edges wobble like heat haze and the colours sit flat and watercolour-saturated: sun-bleached suburban Californian streets, cramped kitchens lit by lamp glow, and interiors pooled in murky ochre and teal. The camera stays close and conversational, lingering on faces as they talk themselves in circles, while the score is a sparse, slightly dislocated electronic hum that drops out into long stretches of near silence. The vibe is paranoid and drowsy, a hazy unease that feels like coming down after a long night, with flashes of dark humour and sudden bursts of dread. Its pace is loose and talky, with scenes that drift and repeat, and its tone is wry, melancholy and disorienting rather than action-driven. Violence is occasional and sharp, with a brief, stark gunshot or fight, plus frequent drug use and a mood of addiction and mental fraying; the horror is psychological rather than gory. It suits a late, solitary watch or a second viewing for people who enjoy surreal, dreamlike science fiction about surveillance, identity and self-erasure.
More films like A Scanner Darkly
Closest in mood, pacing and theme. Tell us why you loved A Scanner Darklyand we’ll explain which ones fit you.
