They destroyed everything he had, everything he was.

Now, crime has a new enemy and justice has a new face.

Originally a short Sam Raimi wrote that turned into a longer story, Darkman is "the story of a man who's put into a terrible situation, who tries to do the best he can to get himself out of that situation. It's more a tragedy than anything else," explains Raimi. [Fangoria #96]

Peyton Westlake, a scientist involved in developing synthetic skin, falls victim to a ruthless gang, his lab destroyed, and he himself disfigured horribly by the explosion. After undergoing an experimental medical procedure, he uses his own skin reconstruction techniques to assume the identity of his various assailants, wreaking havoc on the gang -- exacting his revenge. While at the same time struggling to reconstruct both his relationship with his love Julie, and his own identity.

One of the worst-scoring* pictures in Universal's history, Darkman actually went on to be successful film. [Filmmaking on the Fringe] A movie driven more by character development than previous Renaissance projects, it was also the biggest cast and budget director Sam Raimi had ever worked with.

Darkman spawned two sequels. While they were not directed by Sam, he and Rob Tapert produced these straight-to-video movies under the Renaissance Pictures banner. Darkman II: The Return of Durant (1994) has Larry Drake reprising his role as Durant, with Arnold Vosloo as Peyton/Darkman. Also appearing in this first sequel is Xena's Renee O'Connor. In the third and final installment, Darkman III: Die Darkman Die (1996), Arnold Vosloo again plays Darkman.


*refers to ratings given at test screenings
 For more on Darkman see:

The Man Behind Darkman
 
 
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Darkman Sounds

 THE SKIN HOLDS OUT

It's the dark...

PEYTON WANTS AN ELEPHANT

Now, the pink elephant. If you please.

PEYTON FLIPS OUT

What am I? Some kind of circus freak?

PEYTON PONDERS THE MYSTERIES OF THE DARK

 What is it about the dark?...

JUST GIVE HIM THE ELEPHANT ALREADY!

 The elephant... quickly!

PEYTON CONTINUES ON HIS MAD TIRADE

Maybe I should wear a hat...

FAMOUS LAST WORDS

 Call me... Darkman...

JULIE DOESN'T WANT IT

 Take the f'n elephant!

AND STILL...

Only five bucks to see the dancing freak!

DURANT IS UPSET, SKIP EXPLAINS

He is hot, I mean...
SKIP EXPLAINS DURANTS AFFECTION

I know he likes Ricky...

RICKY CHATS WITH DARKMAN

I told you everything!...
WOODEN LEG JOKE

I once knew a girl with a wooden leg...
 JULIE -- COOL CALM AND COLLECTED

If you're not going to kill me, I have things to do