Strange Days (1995)

Featured Audience Ratings

• John M

  
  One of my all time favorite sci fi flicks. Fiennes is awesome in this role. This movie feels so much like a possible future.

• Conner R

  
  I think this really stands out as the greatest example of 90s mindset action/sci-fi. In look and story structure, it has all the elements of the time period crushed together into one extravaganza of gunfire and chaos. It's still funny how believable Ralph Fiennes is as a good… More
  I think this really stands out as the greatest example of 90s mindset action/sci-fi. In look and story structure, it has all the elements of the time period crushed together into one extravaganza of gunfire and chaos. It's still funny how believable Ralph Fiennes is as a good guy, you'd just never expect it going in. You've also got Juliette Lewis walking around naked for pretty much the entire running time, so even if you don't like the movie there's a treat for you. One of its other standout contributors is the incredibly under-appreciated villain of the 90s, Michael Wincott. This movie really does have a lot to say about the future of society and pop culture, but it does so in a way that doesn't come off as heavy handed. While it has the shortcomings of being almost too 90s for its own good, the majority of this movie is just amazing. After seeing it a few times, even the not-so-lovable elements seem to disappear.

• familiar s

  
  The who-dun-it part is quite predictable, but overall, the movie is fairly watchable.

• Al S

  
  A kinetic, stylish, sexy and mind-blowing action-packed thriller. It's electrifying and pulse-pounding all the way to the end. A dazzlingly original, hard-rocking, hard-boiled and wickedly entertaining thrill-ride. An absolute triumph from Director, Kathryn Bigelow and… More
  A kinetic, stylish, sexy and mind-blowing action-packed thriller. It's electrifying and pulse-pounding all the way to the end. A dazzlingly original, hard-rocking, hard-boiled and wickedly entertaining thrill-ride. An absolute triumph from Director, Kathryn Bigelow and Writer/Producer James Cameron. A stunningly well-crafted and superbly performed film. It's astonishing, remarkable, compelling and exhilarating. A kick ass adrenaline-rush that just flat-out rocks. It's loaded with tremendous suspense, thrilling excitement and explosive action. A spectacular and unforgettable movie. Ralph Fiennes and Angela Bassett give excellent performances.

• Cassandra M

  
  Strange Days is a truly astonishing science fiction offering, part scripted by James Cameron and directed with relentless panache by maverick lady-director Kathryn Bigelow. It presents a depressing and bleak, yet worryingly probable, view of the near future, and hooks its story… More
  Strange Days is a truly astonishing science fiction offering, part scripted by James Cameron and directed with relentless panache by maverick lady-director Kathryn Bigelow. It presents a depressing and bleak, yet worryingly probable, view of the near future, and hooks its story threads upon the impending millennium eve celebrations. Although December 31st, 1999, has been and gone since the making of this movie, it is a credit to the makers that this film still offers a plausible viewpoint about where the world might be at in the next decade or so. Ralph Fiennes seems initially miscast, but soon wins over the audience as Lenny Nero, a sleazy racketeer who sells "memories" captured on some form of disk, similar to virtual reality but recorded from real experiences rather than computerised ones. He is desperately trying to get back with his ex-girlfriend Faith (Juliette Lewis), but she doesn't want him as she has hooked up with a music producer named Philo (Michael Wincott). Lenny acquires two disturbing tapes, one showing the rape and murder of a woman, the other showing a racially motivated slaying, and before he knows it he is on the run from the culprits who want to kill him before he exposes their crimes. The only person he can trust is his best friend, lady bodyguard Mace (Angela Bassett). To complicate matters further, his ex-girlfriend Faith seems to know something about the disks, and may either be involved in the crimes or at great risk from those responsible. Bassett is the real star here, in the role of a lifetime as a morally strong and physically stronger heroine. Lewis plays the same old white trash girl she has played many times, but at least she has the experience to bring total conviction to the role. The production values are incredibly high, especially the party at the end which seems to realistically convey an entire city celebrating in the streets. The plot unfolds slowly, but this is a strength rather than a criticism. Each new development slots into place beautifully, and the audience is given time to get into the characters and the situations (which, in too many movies, we are not allowed to do since the pace is often too frenetic). Strange Days is challenging and aggressive and frequently disturbing. It is also inventive and exciting and ingeniously staged. It is simply a terrific science film which any devotee of the genre absolutely must see.

• Jens S

  
  Set on new year's eve 1999 this action thriller combines sci-fi- and psycho-murderer-elements (machines can record what people see through their eyes), the omni-present fear of the millennium and mega city problems like police violence and race issues into an extremely… More
  Set on new year's eve 1999 this action thriller combines sci-fi- and psycho-murderer-elements (machines can record what people see through their eyes), the omni-present fear of the millennium and mega city problems like police violence and race issues into an extremely entertaining and exciting mix. Ralph Fiennes shines in what was pretty much his only action hero role, as dealer of said first-person-clips who stumbles into a conspiracy and murder case that are taking quite a few twists and turns until the excellent two-part showdown solves it all with a bang. That's smart, fast, gripping and offers characters with a lot more than just a few layers. Angela Bassett portrays one of the strongest action heroines of the last 15 years and makes Fiennes (intentionally by writer James Cameron) look like a wuss. A bit dated, since we all survived the millennium, but still a great thrill ride with many surprised. Deserves more attention that it got.

• Anthony L

  
  I don't know what it is about this film, it?s a strange one but I love it!

• Arash X

  
  Entertaining with an ejoyable atmosphere but has its corny moments & Angela Bassett's superwoman character is annoying, Ralph Fiennes is fun to watch like always & the opening sequence is brilliant

• Derek D

  
  Ralph is excellent in a very different role from what he's used to and Angela Bassett and Juliette Lewis are good, too. The ending is pretty predictable, though.

• _kelly .

  
  An interesting scifi noir set in Los Angeles on New Year's Eve 1999 . Fiennes play a great hustler of full cerebral cortex experience discs. This main technology in the film will remind many of eXistenZ, though Strange Days released first. Interesting dystopic view of Los Angeles… More
  An interesting scifi noir set in Los Angeles on New Year's Eve 1999 . Fiennes play a great hustler of full cerebral cortex experience discs. This main technology in the film will remind many of eXistenZ, though Strange Days released first. Interesting dystopic view of Los Angeles which reflects on the Rodney King riots. The pacing is addictive. The twists are typical, but still fun. Must watch for fans of scifi dystopia or those interested in virtual reality. I'm surprised this movie doesn't have a cult following.

• Ross C

  
  A very cool science fiction movie set in the "near future". It's got a quirky style, emphasised by the rock/rap/world music soundtrack intermixing with the storyline itself, that appeals to me along with the ever excellent Ralph Fiennes.

• Mike S

  
  After hearing this was written by James Cameron himself, my expectations for this film were set pretty high. I knew it wasn't gonna be in league with movies like Terminator and The Abyss, since Cameron only stood for the script and not the directing, but I was hoping it would at… More
  After hearing this was written by James Cameron himself, my expectations for this film were set pretty high. I knew it wasn't gonna be in league with movies like Terminator and The Abyss, since Cameron only stood for the script and not the directing, but I was hoping it would at least turn out to be more than just an average sci-fi flick. Thankfully though, it was a bit better than average, mostly thanks to Cameron's great writing, that compensated for the otherwise mediocre directing and acting. It could probably have been even better though if they had cut down the running time by half an hour or so, but I suppose you can't always get everything you ask for.

• Aaron N

  
  Lenny Nero: See... I can get you what you want, I can. I can get you anything, you just have to talk to me, you have to trust me. You can trust me, 'cause I'm your priest, I'm your shrink... I am you main connection to the switchboard of he soul. I'm the magic… More
  Lenny Nero: See... I can get you what you want, I can. I can get you anything, you just have to talk to me, you have to trust me. You can trust me, 'cause I'm your priest, I'm your shrink... I am you main connection to the switchboard of he soul. I'm the magic man... Santa Claus of the subconscious. You say it, you think it, you can have it. Ralph Fiennes stars as Lenny, an ex-cop turned into what is essentially a drug dealer. He sells black market video technology allowing the viewer to experience, view, and feel various recorded memories. He lives in a dystopian version of 1999 Los Angeles, plagued with riots against cops, gang wars, and restricted access to various parts of the city. Talk radio host: Now, just so the, the rest of us know how much time is left, when is the rapture supposed to hit exactly? Is it midnight New Year's Eve? Lori: That's right. Talk radio host: Aha. Is that midnight L.A. time or, or Eastern Standard Time, or what? I mean, what timezone is God in anyway? Lenny's associates include his best friend and bodyguard, a black women played nicely by Angela Bassett. His other friend, a PI played by Tom Sizemore. And his ex-girlfriend, now rock star played by Juliette Lewis. The film takes place over the course of the final two days of 1999. A popular black rap artist has just been murdered, which could lead to even more rioting in the city. Many people believe in the end of the world approaching. Lenny himself becomes caught up in a possible murder conspiracy. The movie takes a good hour to set up all of its characters before the plot actually starts to get underway. Within this time we learn of more seedy characters including some corrupt cops that includes Vincent D'Onofrio. We also see just how dark things are in this film scripted and produced by James Cameron, who himself was influenced by the Rodney King events in 1992. Combined with female action director Kathryn Bigelow's visceral style of film making, there is a very good quasi-futuristic action story unfolding, complete with some noir overtones as well. The video technology dealt out by Lenny serves as an interesting technique for the film, which uses it to great use. A lot of well done steadycam shots providing these memories are very creative to watch, and lend themselves to some of the dark stuff within this film. Fiennes as Lenny is very good in his role as the protagonist who mainly talks his way out of troubles. His experiences within his own product are also effective. This whole movie works as an effective thriller with a good story and performances, that unfortunately slipped under the radar in 1995, most likely because of how dark the depiction of the future was at the time. Max: The issue isn't whether you're paranoid, but whether you're paranoid enough.

• Lady D

  
  This one certainly lives up to it's title, the concept of 'stolen dreams' sold on the blackmarket is a great idea and several references were used throughout to compare to drug use. All in all a very unusual unique film, worth watching with a great performance from… More
  This one certainly lives up to it's title, the concept of 'stolen dreams' sold on the blackmarket is a great idea and several references were used throughout to compare to drug use. All in all a very unusual unique film, worth watching with a great performance from Ralph Fiennes

• Dean M

  
  The quintessential "millennium movie", this dazzling, high concept techno thriller is a bona-fide undiscovered gem. See it.

• xGary X

  
  Superior cyber punk intelligently written by James Cameron examining the power of the media and corruption in the wake of the LA riots. The casting is a little odd as a star presence is definitely lacking, but as a whole, it works.

• Michael G

  
  Angela Bassett is always hot, but while the movie's concept is interesting the movie itself fell really short.

• Todd S

  
  In a futuristic world, black market virtual reality is all the rage. Ex-Cop Lenny Nero (Ralph Fiennes) is the guy you go to for all your virtual dreams. He can get you anything from the ultimate vacation to porno and everything in between. Nero's world is soon to be turned upside… More
  In a futuristic world, black market virtual reality is all the rage. Ex-Cop Lenny Nero (Ralph Fiennes) is the guy you go to for all your virtual dreams. He can get you anything from the ultimate vacation to porno and everything in between. Nero's world is soon to be turned upside when on the eve of the millennium, he receives a tape which contains the murder of someone he knows. Many people don't know this, but Strange Days was actually written by famed Director, James Cameron, shortly before he did Titanic, a stark contrast from one project to the other. The mystery of Strange Days, as well as the machine, are cool as hell. What's not is how it ended, because once you find out who and why, you can pretty much figure out the rest, making the last half hour of the film unnecessary. Fiennes is the star and does a pretty good job, but the one who really impressed me was Angela Bassett. She plays his bad ass partner, Mace, and she was really something to see. Strange days is something different in many ways, but it's also predictable, repetitive, and anti-climactic in others. It's a cool film and a different story, but most of the acting is weak, and the story repeats itself leading up to its predictable ending.

• Alec B

  
  It's a misunderstood and underrated film. The movie, which was made in 1995 and set on the last two days of 1999 leading into 2000, invokes a lot of the confused and frightened feelings people had about the approaching millennium. From that standpoint its a dated film, but a… More
  It's a misunderstood and underrated film. The movie, which was made in 1995 and set on the last two days of 1999 leading into 2000, invokes a lot of the confused and frightened feelings people had about the approaching millennium. From that standpoint its a dated film, but a rather fascinating look into a whole generations point of view. Strange Days is a reflection about the end of the 20th century, and how it seemed to many people that mankind had reached critical mass and the world was about to end. Our whole belief system is different now, so for a lot of people looking back on it they don't really understand its themes. I also think that Ralph Fiennes is great in this movie, he deserves more lead roles like this.

• Curt C

  
  The world the movie takes place in is interesting, but the story isn't. This loses a full star for the last half hour. I thought Angela Bassett was hot in that dress, though.

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