Liam Neeson stars in the 1990 superhero horror film Darkman, which airs on Film4 tonight at 11pm. Directed by Sam Raimi, best known for the Spider-Man trilogy and Evil Dead franchise, the film blends horror and superhero elements, paying homage to 1930s horror cinema.
Neeson plays scientist Peyton Westlake, who is developing synthetic skin for burn victims. After being brutally attacked and left for dead by villain Robert Durant (Larry Drake), Westlake becomes disfigured and gains superhuman strength, but also emotional instability. He then seeks revenge while his girlfriend Julie (Frances McDormand) believes he is dead.
Despite a modest budget of £10.5 million, Darkman grossed around £36.5 million worldwide and received positive reviews. It holds an 80% score on Rotten Tomatoes and has been praised by fans as a 'hidden gem' and 'underrated'. One fan called it 'a mad movie, in the best possible way', while another noted Raimi's 'offbeat superhero tale' is a 'must-see for fans of comic book movies with a twist'.
The film also spawned two sequels without Neeson, as well as novels, comics, and video games. Darkman airs on Film4 tonight at 11pm.
