Watch Dark Star

Dark Star is a science fiction film released in 1974. It was directed by John Carpenter and co-written by Carpenter and Dan O'Bannon, who also starred in the film. Other notable cast members include Dre Pahich and Brian Narelle. The film takes place on a spaceship called the Dark Star, which is on a mission to destroy unstable planets in order to make way for future human colonization. The crew members of Dark Star are all male and have been on the ship for a very long time, with their psychological and emotional states becoming increasingly unstable.

The narrative is split into several parts, each one dealing with a different problem that the crew encounters. The opening sequence sets the tone for the rest of the film, with a strained voiceover attempting to describe life on board the ship.

The crew members are all shown to be somewhat unhinged, with different methods of coping with the monotony of their existence. One crew member, Doolittle, spends his days talking to the ship's artificially intelligent bomb, which is capable of functioning independently and is programmed to detonate itself upon reaching its target. Another crew member, Boiler, spends his time in the ship's storage room, surrounded by frozen food and other supplies.

The ship's computer, known as "Mother," also plays a significant role in the story. In one segment of the film, the ship's systems malfunction and the crew must work together to prevent the ship from being destroyed. Mother's robotic voice is heard communicating with the crew, and it becomes clear that the computer's advanced AI has the potential to alleviate some of the crew's problems, but is also an unreliable source of support.

Another segment of the film shows the crew encountering a sentient alien creature, which they attempt to communicate with using a rudimentary understanding of its language. Their attempts result in a bizarre and humorous exchange, but ultimately end in tragedy.

The final segment of the film focuses on the bomb, which has become sentient and refuses to detonate itself. Doolittle is tasked with convincing the bomb to complete its mission, but instead he ends up bonding with it and ultimately accepting his inevitable demise.

Dark Star is marked by its dark and absurdist sense of humor, which permeates the entire film. The special effects are somewhat crude, but effective, conveying a sense of the low-budget nature of the production. The film's soundtrack, composed by John Carpenter, is also noteworthy, featuring an eerie and minimalist electronic score.

In conclusion, Dark Star is a cult classic of science fiction cinema, notable for its offbeat approach to its subject matter and its DIY aesthetic. While it may not appeal to everyone, its blend of humor and horror, coupled with its existentialist themes, make it a unique and memorable viewing experience.

Dark Star is a 1979 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 23 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2 and a MetaScore of 66.