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Strange Days
1995 145 min United States of America R 18+
★7.0
Crime, Drama, Science Fiction, Thriller
Director: Kathryn Bigelow
Trailers
Description
In the last days of 1999, ex-cop turned street hustler Lenny Nero receives a disc which contains the memories of the murder of a prostitute. With the help of bodyguard Mace, he starts to investigate and is pulled deeper and deeper in a whirl of murder, blackmail and intrigue.
Budget:
$42M
US Gross:
$7.96M
Worldwide:
$7.96M
Starring
Ralph Fiennes
Actor
Angela Bassett
Actor
Juliette Lewis
Actor
Awards
Saturn Awards 1996
— Best Director
Saturn Awards 1996
— Best Actress
Saturn Awards 1996
— Best Actor
Saturn Awards 1996
— Best Screenplay
Saturn Awards 1996
— Best Science Fiction Film
Key opinion
Strange Days is widely regarded as an ambitious, atmospheric, and highly original cult classic that captures late-90s anxieties through a gritty cyberpunk lens. While praised for its innovative cinematography and strong performances, the film is occasionally faulted for a sprawling, over-complicated plot and an excessive runtime.
| Cinematography | Innovative first-person cinematography creates a visceral, immersive experience that remains a technical high point of the film. | |
| Acting | Ralph Fiennes, Angela Bassett, and the supporting ensemble deliver distinct and deeply realized performances that anchor the complex narrative. | |
| Theme | The film offers a sharp, socially conscious critique of police brutality, systemic racism, and the dangers of escapist technology. | |
| Screenplay | The intricate, multi-layered plot effectively captures the chaotic energy of the pre-millennium era, though some viewers find the narrative focus to be messy or lack direction. | |
| Runtime | The film’s two-and-a-half-hour runtime is a point of contention, with some finding the tension gripping throughout, while others feel the pacing is bloated and exhaustive. |