The Crow

Before we dive in, I need to be completely transparent: this movie had an uphill battle to win my praise from the start. The 1994 “The Crow” is one of my all-time favorite films—a near-perfect piece of cinema. Unfortunately, this 2024 reboot fell short in more ways than I ever expected.

Let’s start with the most critical aspect that simply can’t be replicated: Brandon Lee’s mystique as Eric Draven. Bill Skarsgård is a talented actor, no doubt, but he just doesn’t capture the magic that Lee brought to the role. Skarsgård has an interesting look, sure, but everything about his performance feels forced. You never truly feel his pain, his anger, or especially the deep, undying love between Eric and Shelly—which, let’s be honest, is the heart and soul of the entire story.⠀

For many, “The Crow” is just a cool action movie, but for me, it remains one of the most beautiful love stories ever put on film. “The Crow” was created by James O’Barr as a way to cope with the tragic loss of his fiancée, and that may be why this story captures the essence of a love so powerful that not even death can stop it. In this new version, however, we get a shallow and fleeting relationship that feels more rooted in sexual attraction and drug use than any real emotional connection.

A big part of the problem is the casting of FKA Twigs. She feels out of place throughout the entire movie, and there’s zero chemistry between her and Skarsgård. Another issue that works against the film is its cinematography. The original “The Crow” is steeped in shadows, and for good reason—the character thrives in the darkness. By showing every gory detail in full color, the reboot strips away much of the original’s haunting impact.

Director Rupert Sanders once again shows that he doesn’t fully understand the source material he’s adapting. After the disappointing “Ghost in the Shell,” it’s hard to believe he was a genuine fan of these stories before taking on these projects. The Crow is one of the most intriguing characters because of the mystery surrounding him—much like the Joker. What we don’t know about him is just as compelling as what we do. Alex Proyas nailed this balance in the original, setting up the story with a powerful intro and one of the best transformation montages ever, especially with that unforgettable soundtrack. This new film? Not so much.

There are other glaring issues, too. The lack of an interesting villain and his forgettable sidekicks makes Eric’s quest for revenge feel boring and pointless. The cinematography, as I mentioned, doesn’t fit the mood or tone of the source material at all.

And to top it all off, this movie is bad, but it never fully embraces how bad it is, which could have at least made it fun. Instead, it drags on, trying to be deep and serious, ultimately becoming pointless and entirely forgettable.

So, what did you think of this movie? Are you interested in seeing more films in “The Crow” series, or should this franchise rest in peace?