Many thanks to Ayako for tweeting the link!
The News Record has included A Scanner Darkly on their list of sci-fi films that portray the possible future of humanity. The films that they chose examine human nature, have complex plots and make predictions about society. They said the following about A Scanner Darkly:
Richard Linklater is a hard man to tie down in to one genre in particular, as his films have showcased his ability to be prolific, multi-talented and extremely versatile.
While he’s delved into mainstream projects such as “School of Rock,” “Bad News Bears” and “Before Midnight,” his talent lies in the great films of “Slacker,” “Dazed & Confused,” “Waking Life” and “A Scanner Darkly.”
“A Scanner Darkly” is especially a difficult film to interpret, as it deals with everything from drug abuse, the sense of self and the sense of identity in a technologically advanced dystopian world.
The main premise is that the U.S. has lost the war on drugs, and a drug known as Substance D has completely taken over the majority of the population.
The U.S. responds by developing a frighteningly invasive surveillance and intelligence system with Keanu Reeves starring as one of the undercover informants.
Along the way, Reeves loses his sense of self due to brain damage and addiction to Substance D. After that, the film deals with how humans make choices in regards to deception and morality in times of dire crisis.
This film is especially good because of the sheer number of times one has to view it to make sense of everything that it holds.
Even if it sacrifices predictability and easy understanding, a greater appreciation for the film will come around when everything clicks into place.