In the not too distant future in Orange County California, an undercover narcotics agent is known internally in the force only by his code name, Fred. His identity within can be kept secret as the scanning suit he dons hides his true identity. In reality, he is Bob Arctor. His assignment is to infiltrate a drug ring dealing in a hallucinogen known as Substance D, the ultimate goal to find the source of the drug. Arctor’s own use of Substance D and moving within this drug world is making him lose his true identity, which includes a family life with two young daughters. As Fred, he is also assigned to monitor his own movements since one of Arctor’s drug colleagues, James Barris, has come to the authorities to report Arctor’s drug dealings, although Fred’s superior, code named Hank, knows that Fred in his true identity is one of the people in the drug ring being monitored. But Hank and Hank’s colleagues will do anything, even sacrifice Fred/Arctor, to achieve the ultimate goal of finding the source of Substance D.

A Scanner Darkly (2006)
  • Rating: (53,905 votes)
  • Taglines:What Does A Scanner See? » Everything Is Not Going To Be OK »
  • Runtime:100 minutes
  • Director: Richard Linklater
  • Country:USA
  • Actors:
    Charles Freck
    Rory Cochrane
    James Barris
    Robert Downey Jr.
    Brown Bear Lodge Host
    Mitch Baker
    Bob Arctor
    Keanu Reeves
    Additional Fred Scramble Suit Voice (voice)
    Sean Allen
    Voice from Headquarters (voice)
    Cliff Haby
    Cop
    Steven Chester Prince
    Donna Hawthorne
    Winona Ryder
    Waitress
    Natasha Valdez
    Additional Hank Scramble Suit Voice (voice)
    Mark Turner
  • Genres:Animation, Crime, Drama, Sci-Fi
  • Producers:
    George Clooney
    executive producer  
    Ben Cosgrove
    executive producer  
    Erin Ferguson
    co-producer  
    Jennifer Fox
    executive producer  
    Sara Johnson
    associate producer (as Sara Greene) 
    Tommy Pallotta
    producer  
    John Sloss
    executive producer  
    Jonah Smith
    producer  
    Steven Soderbergh
    executive producer  
    Erwin Stoff
    producer  
    Anne Walker-McBay
    producer  
    Palmer West
    producer  
  • Plots: In a totalitarian society in a near future, the undercover detective Bob Arctor is working with a small time group of drug users trying to reach the big distributors of a brain-damaging drug called Substance D. His assignment is promoted by the recovery center New Path Corporation, and when Bob begins to lose his own identity and have schizophrenic behavior, he is submitted to tests to check his mental conditions. Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
A Scanner Darkly
  • User's comment:Pure Phillip K. paranoia by illusionation

    Saw this film today in a theater with no air conditioning on the hottest day of the year...pretty fitting for a movie about claustrophobic paranoia. I'd been looking forward to seeing this from the first time I saw the trailer. Whatever can be said about this film, there is no denying it's totally unique look. After awhile, you begin to get used to the rotoscoping and then suddenly, there will be something thrown in that will call attention to itself and remind you that you are watching animation. I am a fan of Dick's work, but have not yet read the novel upon which this film is based. Great performances all around and kudos to Linklater for his fantastic vision. The film could be considered a bit talky to the average moviegoer, but is much appreciated by fans of cerebral sci-fi. Fascinating premise is told through interesting blend of suspense and comedy. Not for everyone, but certainly worth a look. Certain to become a cult classic.


  • Quotes: Luckman: What if they come in through the back door or the bathroom window like that infamous Beatles song? Luckman: This proves you got somebody out to get you real bad Bob. I just hope that the house is still there when you get back. Fred: Yeah I didn't think of that.
  • Also known as: A Scanner Darkly (France - imdb display title), A Scanner Darkly (Greece - imdb display title), A Scanner Darkly - Der dunkle Schirm (Germany - imdb display title), A Scanner Darkly - O Homem Duplo (Portugal - imdb display title), A Scanner Darkly: Una mirada a la oscuridad (Spain - imdb display title), A scanner darkly - Un oscuro scrutare (Italy - imdb display title), Hämärän vartija (Finland - imdb display title), Kamera által homályosan (Hungary - imdb display title), Karanligi taramak (Turkey - imdb display title, Turkish title), Läbi hägu (Estonia - imdb display title), Mracni skener (Serbia - imdb display title), O Homem Duplo (Brazil - imdb display title), Przez ciemne zwierciadlo (Poland - imdb display title), Scanner Darkly (Japan - imdb display title, English title), Una mirada a la oscuridad (Argentina - imdb display title),

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