Movie Night: The Crow (2024)

“The Crow” remake may have been as doomed as its tortured lovers, but there is beauty and intensity for those willing to give it a chance.

The Crow (2024) is not a mere remake of the 1994 classic; it is a unique, calamitous, and bloodier reimagining. British filmmaker Rupert Sanders. Sanders, known for his work on Snow White and the Huntsman and Ghost in the Shell, brings his singular vision to this reimagining of the classic.

Bill skarsgård’s portrayal of Eric Craven adds a new level of intensity to the character, making this version a treat for audiences willing to approach it from a fresh perspective.

It’s true this film has received ample criticism from fans and critics. It’s also true that die-hard fans of the 1994 The Crow who watch this updated take and try to compare the two films will likely not be able to enjoy this one. Although the characters and plot share similarities, this one takes you in a shadowy and gorier direction.

To appreciate what Sanders is bringing to the table with this moody version of doomed lovers, viewers must try to view it on its own terms, free from the heavy weight of its beloved predecessor’s cultural impact. I realize that can be easier said than done. 

In this version, Eric Craven (Bill Skarsgard) meets soul mate Shelly Webster (FKA Twigs) in rehab, and they fall in love. Shelly, unbeknownst to Eric, is being stalked by Marian (Laura Birn) and Kronos (Sami Bouajila), who want to kill her for a video that was taken exposing the crimes of their boss.

These bad guys work for Vincent Roeg (Danny Huston), who sold his soul to the devil in exchange for immortality. Now, the story has a supernatural direction with Occult themes interwoven throughout.

What begins as a love story gone tragically wrong rapidly transforms into the ancient struggle between good and evil, with Shelly’s soul as part of the outcome.

Sanders’s direction pulls out some of the grimest emotions our star-crossed lovers feel.

The film’s greatest and most horrible strength lies in the time invested in building the relationship between the two lovers. They are both damaged, and we cannot help but feel that this love might splinter them even more.

One of the best scenes is when Eric asks Shelly what she likes most about Eric, and her answer captures the essence of this film: “It was how unbelievably broken you were.”

That’s the film in a nutshell. It is about the love between two broken people who fall so in love that it borders on obsession, but they try to use their passion to find a way back to the light.

Sanders spends only a little time dwelling on the past. He flashes frames of Eric’s youth to show who he is and then spends almost 45 minutes on their relationship. The chemistry between Skarsgard and Twigs was solid and believable, and Sanders displayed their love through brief frames with music.

The soundtrack almost stole the film. Its eerie and gothic musical accompaniment filled the gaps when the characters weren’t interacting. The strains fit the vein of the movie so well that it was as if the music were another character.

As outstanding as the music and acting are, the film lacks the tension-building that is the hallmark of horror tropes.

There is no slow-pressure cooking suspense that makes you jump or tense in anticipation.

However, when the film takes a turn into the occult, Eric goes on a murder and rampage worthy of a John Wick movie. There is plenty of gore and blood for horror fans to appreciate. You may have heard about the film’s visual highlight, a stunningly choreographed and shot opera scene, and it’s every bit as memorable and impactful as has been touted. 

The characters feel believable, but some parts of the film are too contrived to shepherd Eric’s transition and further the plot. It’s not enough to take you out of the experience, however. 

The pacing is steady, with a slow build, but that’s necessary to develop Eric and Shelly’s relationship and create a convincing love story. The budding romance feels as if it is happening in real-time. As a result, the titular character transformation only happens about halfway through the film. 

Dialogue is minimalistic, with the story primarily being told using action frames and music, which makes it feel more immersive. 

If you can’t let go of your emotional connection to the brilliant 1994 version of this film, it may be best to skip this new cinematic offering. However, if you have an open mind and crave a darkly intense story of love, vengeance, and redemption, The Crow (2024) is far more entertaining and stylishly executed than its critical skewering would have you believe.