Is 'Dark Matter' a remake of a 90s show? Fan speculation piles pressure on Apple series
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The alleged "bland" and "repetitive" sci-fi plot of 'Dark Matter' has kickstarted a debate among fans on social media. The series created by Blake Crouch for Apple TV+ has been receiving mixed responses from viewers ever since it made its debut on May 8, 2024.
After being called out for its similarity with 'Constellation', another Apple TV+ in the sci-fi category, people on Reddit are now drawing comparisons with Fox's 'Sliders' aired in the 90s.
What is 'Sliders' all about?
'Sliders', comprising five seasons, is a sci-fi series based on the concept of parallel universes. It centers on a group of people who travel (slide) between alternate universes via a vortex-like wormhole using a timer device.
A certain event causes the timer to lose track of the coordinates for their home universe, and they are forced to slide between universes while attempting and hoping to finally slide in their original one.
Fans spot similarities between 'Dark Matter' and 'Sliders'
Both 'Sliders' and 'Dark Matter' are based on the concept of parallel realities where the protagonists are trapped in a different reality. The narrative revolves around their struggle to return to their original universe.
In 'Dark Matter', we see Jason Dessen opening doors to different realities, ranging from a post-apocalypse world to a reality where certain events happened differently from the history he knows.
'Sliders' too runs on a similar theme where the group of sliders explore multiple universes that are quite different from theirs.
Both series have created a sense of urgency to keep things intriguing. In 'Dark Matter', Jason has limited magic pills while in 'Sliders', they have to wait for the timer to count down to the next time they can open a vortex to a new universe, failing which would mean they would be stuck in that universe for nearly thirty years until they can open the vortex again.
A Reddit user initiated a thread claiming that 'Dark Matter' is a "remake of the 90's show "sliders" with a new story line." He added, "Just like sliders ,this show will show the unending possibilities of the parallel universe with Jason trying to back to he's world."
Agreeing to this, someone added, "Absolutely. It's all been done before, which isn't a reason not to do it, but I find DM a bit on the camp Sliders side of the equation, compared to other more subtle shows that tackle the same topic. We shall see; so far the dialogue is extremely on the nose."
Another Reddit user said, "We just had counterpart a few years ago with JK simmons. It is almost the same story and with same concept."
Someone defended 'Dark Matter' in a comment that reads, "It’s based on a book. Not another show. The idea isn’t super uncommon so some similarities aren’t surprising."
How to stream 'Dark Matter'?
'Dark Matter' is exclusively available on Apple TV+. The show made its premiere on May 8, 2024, with the first two episodes.
Apple TV+ has been following its weekly release pattern for 'Dark Matter' with each episode releasing every Wednesday. The nine-episodic series will conclude on June 26, 2024.
'Dark Matter' trailer