When The Matrix arrived in 1999, The Wachowskis landed one hell of a punch in the lexicon of sci-fi/action filmmaking. As a teenager enamored by the ideas told through the valiant fight led by Keanu Reeves, Carrie Anne Moss, and Lawrence Fishburne, I couldn’t get enough. However, my budding education in cinema attracted me to two other movies that arrived before and after Neo’s origin story.
As luck would have it, I’ve now learned that both of those films are currently showing in the free streaming atmosphere. Those looking to jack in through some unique angles that were overshadowed by the contemporary hype need not look further; starting with this first underrated gem.
The Thirteenth Floor Has Reappeared, And It Deserves Much More Love
I have to thank YouTuber Flick Connection for bringing to my attention that 1999’s The Thirteenth Floor has seemingly resurfaced out of nowhere. Focusing on a murder mystery that walks the line between reality and the virtual world, we follow Douglas Hall (Craig Bierko) as he moves between both worlds to uncover the truth.
That approach mixes the classic glamour of ‘30s LA and the tech-friendly modernity of its ‘90s counterpart; both of which shine brilliantly. But you don’t need to take my word for it, as you can watch the vintage trailer for The Thirteenth Floor below:
Co-starring an impressive cast that includes Armin Mueller-Stahl, Vincent D’Onofrio and Gretchen Mol, The Thirteenth Floor had the misfortune of opening roughly two months after The Matrix hit it big. Though 24 fans probably flocked to it sooner than others, as that lineup also includes Dennis Haysbert as the LAPD detective investigating the case.
True, there’s no kung fu to speak of in The Thirteenth Floor. However, what it does have is the atmosphere of a classic detective story, crossed with high tech mind-bending. (Seriously, someone give Mr. Haysbert a period piece detective thriller already!)
Out of print in physical media since its 2009 Blu-ray, you can see what the fuss is all about through YouTube and Tubi, for free with ads. I highly recommend it, as it slickly blurs the lines between cutting edge sci-fi, retro noir, and murderous intrigue. And in my mind, if you’re going to talk about The Thirteenth Floor, another movie naturally enters the conversation right after it.
Dark City Is Also Streaming For Free
Timing woes work both ways, as Alex Proyas’ Dark City actually opened a year before The Matrix even teased its wares. The Crow director landed another dark winner with this project, which sees amnesiac John Murdock (Rufus Sewell) trying to determine whether or not he’s a serial killer.
The more John digs into Dark City’s mysterious metropolis, the stranger things get – especially when a group of telepathic powered people literally named “The Strangers” are stalking him through every turn. Jennifer Connolly, Kiefer Sutherland, and the late William Hurt also occupy this maze, which seems to pose the question “What if The Matrix was inspired by The Maltese Falcon?”
The answer is something so beautifully dark that even late movie critic Roger Ebert came out as an early defender, back when the film initially underperformed. Seeing as I gave you a taste of The Thirteenth Floor above, it’s only fair to include Dark City’s trailer as well. Though I also have to admit that almost 30 years later, this is one of my favorite promo reels:
Perhaps the most mind-blowing trivia connected to Dark City, is the fact that it lent its sets to The Matrix after completion. See if you can spot those common locations when you take this dark into a more retro-themed dystopia, which is now available on Tubi. (Apologies to purists who prefer the Director’s Cut, as the version available is the Theatrical Cut – complete with divisive opening narration.)
With that in mind, and a new Matrix movie still in development, now’s a good time to indulge in both The Thirteenth Floor and Dark City. Who knows? Maybe a surge in viewers might put the former back into physical circulation, while the latter enjoys even more cult success!
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