25 Cult Movies You Must See Before You Die
17. Dark City
Speaking of unique visual styles and a lot of dead people, Alex Proyas's dystopian sci-fi noir Dark City has plenty of both. Hi-jacking the visuals of classic science fiction like Fritz Lang's Metropolis, Dark City has Rufus Sewell in the middle of an Art Deco film noir where he finds himself framed for murder with no memory of doing it.
He ends up discovering some details about his life, realising he has psychic powers (known as tuning), and uses his new-found abilities to turn the tables against the shadowy “Strangers” who are persuing him. The plot is a little rote, but it has some good twists involving Keifer Sutherland's doctor, and the visuals are absolutely stunning.
As happens with such weird, inventive films, the studio insisted on loads of narration for the theatrical release, thankfully removed by a Director's Cut by Proyas. Truly mind-bending, thrilling, and full of genius set design that you're unlikely to see anywhere else. The twist might be an acquired taste, in a Shyamalan way, however.