🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Craig R. Baxley
- Genre: Action, Crime, Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller
- Release year: 1990
- Runtime (length): 1h 31min
- IMDb rating: 6.1/10 (15K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: N/A
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
An alien junkie comes to Earth, gives people massive overdoses, and then sucks out their brains for a super-drug, while Dolph Lundgren kicks butt and spouts one-liners.
🍿 Dark Angel: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Drug Bust Gone Wrong
Jack Caine, a Houston vice cop known for bending the rules, is after Victor Manning, a major drug supplier. During an undercover operation, Caine’s partner, Det. Ray Turner, is killed amidst a robbery and ensuing chaos. This sets Caine on a personal mission for revenge and justice.

An Alien Presence
As Caine investigates, a series of bizarre deaths plague Houston. Victims are found with massive heroin overdoses and strange puncture marks on their foreheads. Caine soon realizes these are not ordinary crimes, but the work of an extraterrestrial being.

Teaming Up with the FBI
Caine is partnered with FBI Agent Arwood ‘Larry’ Smith, a by-the-book agent. Initially clashing, the two must learn to work together as they uncover the alien’s gruesome scheme: extracting endorphins from human brains to create a potent intergalactic drug.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Det. Jack Caine (Dolph Lundgren): A rule-breaking Houston vice cop determined to stop the illegal drug trade and an alien threat.
- Special Agent Arwood ‘Larry’ Smith (Brian Benben): A by-the-book FBI agent partnered with Caine, initially clashing with his methods but ultimately becoming an ally.
- Talec (Matthias Hues): A menacing alien drug dealer who harvests endorphins from human brains to create a valuable drug.
- Diane Pallone (Betsy Brantley): A medical examiner and Caine’s ex-girlfriend who aids in the investigation.
- Victor Manning (Sherman Howard): The primary human antagonist and number one supplier of illegal drugs, initially targeted by Caine.
- Azeck (Jay Bilas): An alien cop who is chasing Talec down to stop his evil plans on earth.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Talec: “I come in peace.” – The alien’s catchphrase, ironically said before committing violent acts.
- Jack Caine: “And you go in pieces, asshole.” – Caine’s iconic response to the alien’s catchphrase right before defeating him.
- Bruce the Scientist: “It’s like setting your radio dial to K-I-L-L!” – Said while describing the lethal properties of the alien’s weaponized disc.
- Inspector Switzer: “You can’t make an omelette without breaking a few eggs.” – Spoken by the corrupt FBI Inspector when justifying the murder of innocent people to secure alien technology.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $7,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $4,348,368
- Worldwide Gross: $4,348,368
💥 Dark Angel Reviews
Personal Review
I have watched Dark Angel countless times! It’s a total blast from the past and still holds up as a fun, over-the-top action flick. The alien villain is ridiculous in the best way, and Dolph Lundgren is the perfect stoic hero. That scene where Dolph kicks the alien through the tube is iconic. It’s a brainless but thoroughly enjoyable movie night pick, I always get a kick of nostalgia out of it. The soundtrack is awesome too.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of 1990s action movies”
- “Dolph Lundgren enthusiasts”
- “Viewers who enjoy sci-fi crime thrillers”
- “Those looking for a buddy cop dynamic with a twist”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Graphic violence”
- “Drug use”
- “Strong language”
- “Brief nudity”
Professional Reviews
- IMDb: “A fun, if somewhat ridiculous, blend of buddy-cop action and sci-fi. Lundgren and Benben have good chemistry, and the action is plentiful, making for an entertaining ride if you don’t take it too seriously. Expect explosions, cheesy one-liners, and an alien drug dealer who really needs a vacation.
- Rotten Tomatoes: “While flawed, Dark Angel benefits from its willingness to embrace its B-movie status. It offers enough explosive action and quirky sci-fi elements to entertain genre fans looking for a fun, undemanding viewing experience. Lundgren is perfectly cast, and Hues makes for a memorable villain.
- AllMovie: “A guilty pleasure that delivers on its promise of action and sci-fi thrills. The plot is outlandish, but the execution is surprisingly competent, with solid direction and memorable special effects. Recommended for those who appreciate a good B-movie with a sense of humor.
Audience Reactions
The film’s unique blend of sci-fi and action genres impressed viewers.: Many viewers praised the unique concept and fun, cheesy action.
Fans love the movie’s awesome one liners.: Most people agree that Dolph Lundgren’s delivery and chemistry with Brian Benben make the movie hilarious.
Overall Consensus: Dark Angel is a beloved, cheesy sci-fi action film with memorable characters and plenty of explosions, perfect for fans of the genre.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film was initially titled ‘Lethal Contact’ and was written in 1984 before going through rewrites.”
- “The title was changed to ‘I Come in Peace’ for the US release due to other movies with similar titles, while internationally it was released as ‘Dark Angel’.”
- “Dolph Lundgren performed a real roundhouse kick that knocked out the stuntman because he missed his mark.”
🖥️ How to Watch Dark Angel?
As of today, “Dark Angel”, also known as “I Come in Peace”, is available for purchase or rental on various digital platforms. You can find it on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Availability may vary depending on your region, so be sure to check your local listings.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Dark Angel, you might like these similar films:
- Predator 2 (1990): Features a tough cop battling an alien hunter in an urban environment.
- Alien Nation (1988): A cop teams up with an alien partner to fight crime.
- The Hidden (1987): An alien parasite inhabits human bodies, causing them to commit crimes.
- Action Jackson (1988): Directed by the same director (Craig R. Baxley), and delivers a similar blend of over-the-top action and buddy cop dynamics.
- Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man (1991): Features a similar blend of action, buddy dynamics, and 90s style.
🛒 Dark Angel Related Products
- Dolph Lundgren – Action Pack [Blu-ray]: This action pack includes some of Dolph Lundgren’s greatest action titles. Perfect for any fan of Dolph Lundgren’s work.
- Dark Angel (I Come in Peace) Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the original movie poster. A classic piece of movie memorabilia.
- Sci-Fi Movie Soundtrack Collection: A collection of iconic soundtracks from 80’s and 90’s sci-fi films. Relive the best moments of these films through their soundtracks.
- Action Figures: Get the Dolph Lundgren action figure. It is the perfect fit to any action figure collection.
🎧 Soundtrack
Dark Angel features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
The alien, Talec, comes to Earth to extract endorphins from human brains. These endorphins are used to create a powerful and valuable drug in his home world.
Dark Angel is available for purchase or rental on digital platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu.
The phrase is a dark joke. The alien always says “I come in peace” before killing someone. Dolph Lundgren’s character replies with “And you go in pieces, asshole” after he defeats the alien.
🔥 Bonus Content
Analyzing Evil: Noah Cross From Chinatown
Ever wonder what makes Noah Cross such a chilling villain? This deep dive into his character really breaks down his motivations and impact on ‘Chinatown,’ it’s kinda disturbing how well they explain him!
✨ Rate
There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.





