Strange Days (film)

Strange Days
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Kathryn Bigelow
Screenplay by	James Cameron Jay Cocks
Story by	James Cameron
Produced by	James Cameron Steven-Charles Jaffe
Starring	Ralph Fiennes Angela Bassett Juliette Lewis Tom Sizemore Vincent D'Onofrio Michael Wincott
Cinematography	Matthew F. Leonetti
Edited by	Howard Smith James Cameron
Music by	Graeme Revell
Production company	Lightstorm Entertainment
Distributed by	20th Century Fox (North America, France and Italy) Universal Pictures (through United International Pictures, International)
Release date	October 7, 1995 (1995-10-07)
Running time	145 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$42 million
Box office	$17 million[1]

Strange Days is a 1995 American science fiction thriller film directed by Kathryn Bigelow, from a screenplay by James Cameron and Jay Cocks, and based on a story by Cameron. The film stars Ralph Fiennes, Angela Bassett, Juliette Lewis, Tom Sizemore, Michael Wincott, and Vincent D'Onofrio. Set in Los Angeles on the last two days of 1999, the film follows Lenny Nero (Fiennes), a black marketeer of an electronic device that allows a user to experience the recorded memories and physical sensations of other people, and Lornette "Mace" Mason (Bassett), a bodyguard and limousine driver, as they are drawn into a criminal conspiracy involving Nero's ex-girlfriend Faith Justin (Lewis) and the murder of a prostitute.

Blending science fiction with film noir conventions, Strange Days explores themes such as racism, abuse of power, rape and voyeurism. Although the story was conceived by Cameron around 1986, Bigelow found inspiration from high profile incidents such as the Lorena Bobbitt incident and the 1992 Los Angeles riots. Principal photography began in Los Angeles on June 6, 1994, and concluded on October 14. Several of the film's scenes, which offer a point-of-view shot, required multi-faceted cameras and considerable technical preparation.

A major commercial failure, Strange Days nearly derailed Bigelow's career, grossing only $17 million against its $42 million budget. The film polarized critics upon release, while some praised the cinematography, visual style, and performances of the cast, others criticized its portrayal of rape and violence. Its critical standing has improved over the years, gaining a cult following. At the 22nd Saturn Awards, where the film received five nominations, Bassett won Best Actress and Bigelow became the first woman to win Best Director.