Plot: Soulmates Eric Draven and Shelly Webster are brutally murdered when the demons of her dark past catch up with them. Given the chance to save his true love by sacrificing himself, Draven returns to seek bloody revenge against the killers, traversing the worlds of the living and the dead to put the wrong things right.

Film: The Crow

Director: Rupert Sanders

Writer: James O'Barr, Zach Baylin and William Josef Schneider

Starring: Bill Skarsgård, FKA twigs, Danny Huston and Josette Simon

I think this may be one of the most controversial film reviews I've posted: I'm in the seemingly minority that enjoyed the reimagining of The Crow. While it does have its issues, it's deliciously dark and deeply romantic. If you've ever wanted a bloody and believable romance movie, the 2024 version of The Crow is for you.

I'll preface this review by saying that if you like the original The Crow (1994), that's great. But please bear in mind that this version has very much been made for a new demographic; to appeal to a new fanbase. While the original is a classic that undoubtedly everyone loves, this adaptation is a reimagined take on the graphic novel by James O'Barr and is very different. 

The Crow follows rehab inpatients Eric and Shelly as they meet for the first time and find their two halves of the same soul. After they're both murdered by members of Shelly's mysterious past, Eric is given a supernatural chance at revenge on their killers, and the chance to bring Shelly back.

This once revenge-fuelled film (1994) is more of a gothic love story this time around, which has visuals that are simply stunning. It's dripping with edge, has a wickedly fun score and is quite literally the definition of gore galore. While the leads (Skarsgård and twigs) have undeniable chemistry, the standout performance comes from Bill Skarsgård. The emotion that exudes from his portrayal of Eric is heartbreakingly beautiful. His shy softness at the beginning makes the contrast of hardened venge-filled Eric feel even more stark. As well as this, his physical transformation of his descent into darkness was satisfying to watch; from the iconic trench coat, to the rubbing of tattoo ink onto his face.

One aspect where the film struggled is the pacing. Eric and Shelly's love story is incredibly important to the story, but I felt as though they wasted too much time building that particular part of the story that the audience didn't receive as much of Skarsgård's final transformation into the Crow as we deserved. As well as this, I thought the trailer showed a little too much; I think the opera scene in particular should have been left as a blood-fuelled surprise.

Speaking of that opera sequence - it has to be one of the most epic gore scenes in cinematic history. As a huge lover of over-the-top gore, it was one of the most outrageous, enjoyable scenes. And I particularly enjoyed the audible groans and gasps it elicited from the woman sat in front of me.

The subtle crows in almost every scene became somewhat tiresome, but it made certain there was no doubt of the film you were watching. The Crow is a visually stunning gothic love story that's soaked in blood, and hauntingly beautiful to watch as it (somewhat slowly) unravels. Go in with an open mind, and try not to make judgements before you've given it a much-deserved chance.

Company: Lionsgate