Dark Star
Seen it?1974 | 83 min | Comedy, Science Fiction
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (73% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it's still drawing plenty of interest, though it had a lukewarm 6.0 out of 10 from audiences. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who wants a laugh and sci-fi fans. If you loved Sleeper or The Creator, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Light and funny.
- The pace
- Breezy, at 1 hr 23 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1974: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
A group of scientists are sent on a mission to destroy unstable planets. Twenty years into their mission, they have to battle their alien mascot as well as a "sensitive" and intelligent bombing device that starts to question the meaning of its existence.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
73% on Rotten Tomatoes, 66 on Metacritic
- AudiencesBelow par
6.0 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Reach & staying powerSolid
Streaming release that reached a modest audience; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 203K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by John Carpenter
- Brian NarelleLt. Doolittle
- Cal KuniholmBoiler
- Dan O'BannonSgt. Pinback alias Bill Fruge
- Dre PahichTalby
- Adam BeckenbaughBomb #20 (voice)
- Nick CastleAlien
- Joe SaundersCommander Powell (voice)
- Cookie KnappMuttercomputer (voice)
- Alan SheretzBomb #19 (voice)
- John CarpenterTalby Voice