It wasn’t a big hit, but Sam Raimi’s pulpy homage to Universal horror helped usher in a new wave of ’90s comic book cinematic heroics.
In a post-Batman (1989) world—which itself was a post-Frank Miller and Alan Moore world—the tone was set, and dark was in. Darkman was one of the very first out of the gate. For fans of the first two Evil Dead movies, this felt like Raimi’s first real step toward big-tentpole studio legitimacy, boasting a stylish and kinetic throwback to tragic monster-heroes worthy of Stan Lee and James Whale.
Why This Cult Anti-Hero Classic Still Delivers:
- Unhinged Raimi Visuals: Packed with kinetic camera work, wild dutch angles, exaggerated slapstick violence, and expressive montages that feel ripped straight out of a comic book page.
- Peak Liam Neeson & Larry Drake: Long before his Taken era, Liam Neeson brought raw, tragic intensity to Peyton Westlake, while the late Larry Drake chewed up every bit of scenery as the ruthless, pinky-finger-collecting villain Durant.
- Practical Effects & Score: Features brilliant prosthetic work, synthetic skin meltdowns, and an epic, gothic Danny Elfman score that perfectly captures the film’s tragic melodrama.
While the movie did lukewarm business at the box office, rental numbers were solid enough that the remainder of the franchise found itself going straight-to-video with Arnold Vosloo shemping for Liam Neeson in the titular role. Larry Drake would, thankfully, stay on board to chew up any available scenery.
It’s a gonzo mix of horror, heroics, and hammy melodrama. It’s not perfect, but it’s glorious—and maybe more importantly, it’s better than the sum of its parts.
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