Dark Star

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Dark Star

G

1974

1h 23m

Sci-Fi

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Popcornmeter

74%

Tomatometer

34 Reviews

64%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

A satiric look at the problems experienced by a crew of bumbling astronauts on a mission to destroy rogue planets.

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Critics Consensus

A loopy 2001 satire, Dark Star may not be the most consistent sci-fi comedy, but its portrayal of human eccentricity is a welcome addition to the genre.

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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

Nov 10, 2025

4/5

It’s fascinating and strangely enthralling. And funny too, in places.

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Joe Pollack

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Oct 12, 2023

[Dark Star] can be praised for imagination and effort, if not for results... The story is mostly turgid, the acting is nothing special, and the waits between the bright spots seem interminable.

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Adam Smith

Empire Magazine

Jun 6, 2007

5/5

Hats off nonetheless to young whippersnapper John Carpenter, whose studenty tale of space tedium, aliens and molasses-black humour remains approximately a thousand times better than the director's last 15 years.

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Phoenix Staff

Boston Phoenix

Sep 23, 2024

3/4

It's great fun, and the ending makes gleeful hash of pretentious, "metaphysical" science fiction.

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Alan Jones

Radio Times

Sep 13, 2024

4/5

Witty, profound and cleverly scored by its producer/director John Carpenter.

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Christopher Lloyd

The Film Yap

Jul 8, 2024

3/5

Careers were launched with this student film-turned-sci-fi cult classic, blasting the genre into hyperspace (almost literally!) without actually being an especially good or interesting flick.

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B P

@Bradster69 Sep 4, 2026

Not Bad, but Not My Favorite

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Harsh .

@H_A_R_S_H Jan 14, 2026

Trust me—get wasted before you watch this

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Joe W

@JoeWasik Jan 7, 2026

Ancient effects. Bad acting. Improbable behaviors. Impossible science. What else? Star Trek is older, but had much better effects.

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Doctor V

@ReviewTime Nov 1, 2025

Time to feed the alien....Get your best buds, kick the lights, and trip into this unforgettable sci-fi experimental masterpiece. This is the beginning of some of the best directed, acted and scored cult classic ever. It might just take you somewhere in your mind you never thought existed, sure took me..hats off JC you da man.

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J H

@RT24634690 Apr 23, 2025

This absurdist sci-fi comedy isn't for everyone. I prefer the shorter Director's Cut.

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Madam D

@Madam1948 Feb 19, 2025

Interesting as the student film of 2 friends who became famous in later life. The copy I got from the library could not play the last 2 chapters...how did it end?

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Synopsis

A satiric look at the problems experienced by a crew of bumbling astronauts on a mission to destroy rogue planets.

Director: John Carpenter
Producer: John Carpenter
Screenwriter: John Carpenter, Dan O'Bannon
Production Co: University of Southern California (USC), Jack H. Harris Enterprises
Rating: G
Genre: Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 7, 2020
Runtime: 1h 23m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: 35mm, 16mm, Flat (1.85:1)

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