A better title?


As a long-time fan of Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (2004), people had been telling me for years, "If you love that movie, you really should see Dark City - it has a similar focus on design elements and atmosphere." I have now finally seen Dark City and loved it. It's certainly darker (obviously) than Sky Captain and there are a few things I would have done differently, but overall it's an outstanding success and should be far better known than it is.

So the question comes up as to why I waited so long to see it. Taking into account that the movie was not a runaway financial success and was competing against Titanic in the theatres, I think the title might have dissuaded me and many others from taking a chance on this one. While it's certainly an appropriate title, it leads one to believe that it's a horror/gore/torture film, which Dark City is most certainly not.

So what would be a better title? The only thing I can think of would be The Strangers, but of course that tells the potential viewer absolutely nothing about the movie. Something like City of the Endless Night would be too cumbersome and hard to remember. Does anybody have any suggestions as to what would have been a better title?

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I've thought of a couple others: Midnight to Midnight...or...Midnight after Midnight.

Again, doesn't tell the viewer what the movie will be about, but still appropriate.

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Eternal Night?

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Yeah! Unending Night would be cool too.

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OK, now I have gone through the entire director's/screenwriter's commentary on the DVD. They say the movie was not only ALWAYS called Dark City, but that they started with the title and created from there. At various times, there were calls to change the title because it sounded too similar to something else. For brief periods, the movie was called Dark World or Dark Empire. Eventually they were able to go back to their original idea.

I respect their decision and still enjoy the movie, but I still think the title leans too far into horror territory, and might have scared off some (not all) potential viewers.

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but I still think the title leans too far into horror territory

still cant see it .

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Not that this movie was ever gonna tear up the box office, but the name certainly didn't help. Needed some obscure Twilight Zone sorta title like "The Mind Masters" or something.

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"The Mind Masters"? Really? I don't mean to offend but that honestly made me laugh.

I really don't see the problem with the title as it is. "Dark City" is pretty spot on--both logistically/plot-wise, and in the sense of mystery and foreboding it evokes. Personally I get more of an ominous film-noir vibe from the title rather than any sort of horror/gore/torture porn suggested by the OP.

Just my 2 cents, but I'd leave well enough alone.

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The Mind Masters lmao

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Should've been called "Billy and the Cloneasaurus"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ik0BPKM9WQg

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The Flying Saucer City from Outer Space

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🤣

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Yes, I think it captures the flavour of an old school title for a Sci-Fi Noir film.

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I love it.

Although, it would spoil the movie a bit. It's been awhile since I've seen it, but isn't that like a mid movie twist?

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Good point. The title would have to have a spoiler warning.

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The Weird Tracers
Rainy City

I actually respect the title Dark City.

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