A Scanner Darkly

Eerie, dystopian, and outright trippy, "A Scanner Darkly" is a science fiction movie based on Philip K. Dick's novel of the same name. It circles around an undercover cop, Bob Arctor, in a not-so-distant futuristic society that is severely impacted by drug use. The movie creatively employs the rotoscope animation tech, and your eyes are in for a treat as reality seamlessly merges and segregates with the altered perceptions of drug hallucinations.

Keanu Reeves (as Bob Arctor), paints a complicated mosaic of a man split between his duty and his own descent into substance misuse, while Robert Downey Jr., Woody Harrelson, and Winona Ryder bring formidable performances enhancing the disorienting tones of the narrative. The hallucinatory banter among the characters gives some of the most memorable moments in the movie.

There were places though where the movie felt more confusing and abstract than necessary. A coherent narrative takes a backseat, but maybe that's the point—submerging the viewers into the fragmented and volatile minds of the characters. Recommended for those who enjoy films that bend reality and explore deep social issues.