Guillermo del Toro Says This Streaming Camp Classic Paved the Way for “Quirky, inventive, modern comic-book movies”
I have grown so disenchanted with the state of modern superhero cinema. Tim Burton’s Batman is one of my favorite films. The sequel is also exceptional. However, so much has changed in the years since Batman bowed before audiences in 1989. Superhero films have gone from being about the characters within to being about creating a spectacle of jaw-dropping effects. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy some good special effects work, but that is only one piece of the puzzle. As it turns out, Guillermo del Toro also has an appreciation for the earlier days of comic book cinema.
That’s right, back when the director was still active on Twitter (don’t call it X), del Toro shared his appreciation for a superhero film that he credits with shaping the modern comic book movie. I’m talking about Darkman. The Oscar-winning filmmaker also gives some love to Burton’s Batman in the tweet. Heck yes.
The Pan’s Labyrinth director’s post reads: “Film: Darkman by Sam Raimi. Quietly, along with Burton’s Batman, this signals the birth of quirky, inventive, modern comic-book movies.”
I agree that Darkman was a trailblazing effort. I would love to see a return to form where lower-budget movies (by comic book movie standards) like Darkman get made once again and the filmmakers involved are allowed to take risks. When we continue to execute on the same formula, that allows very little room for growth or improvement. Ugh.
Where is Darkman available to stream?
If you are hip to see why del Toro is such a fan of Sam Raimi’s Darkman, you can satisfy your curiosity right now. The film is available to stream on Shudder as of the publication of this post.
The setup for this Guillermo del Toro-approved action-horror picture goes as follows:
When thugs employed by a crime boss lead a vicious assault on Dr. Peyton Wilder (Liam Neeson), leaving him literally and psychologically scarred, an emergency procedure allows him to survive. Upon his recovery, Wilder can find solace only by returning to his scientific work developing synthetic skin, and seeking revenge against the crime boss. He assumes a phantom avenger persona called Darkman, who, with malleable facial qualities, is able to infiltrate and sow terror in the criminal community.
That is absolutely everything that we have for you for now. Make sure to stay tuned to Dread Central for more essential updates and film recommendations from your favorite creators in the genre space as we unearth them. If you’d like to keep up with my comings and goings, you can find me on Threads as @FunWithHorror.
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