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INTRODUCTION
I know it’s surprising but Luke Evans almost walked out from The Crow Remake.
It’s 2014, and Luke Evans is deep in th e trenches of Middle-earth, he’s working on ‘The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies’.
He puts on pause to talk to fans during a live Facebook Q&A. Questions are pouring in but there is one in particular that has everyone intrigued: ‘What about The Crow remake?‘
The question feels heavy, almost palpable, even through the screen.
Finally, he reveals—his voice breaking unexpectedly into jagged edges of vulnerability—that he is considering walking away from the project. Why? Because he isn’t sure if he’s worthy enough to fill those sizeable boots, those hallowed shoes once trod in by the late, great Brandon Lee.
Now in 2024, The Crow has returned. With the direction of Rupert Sanders and a screenplay by Zach Baylin and William Schneider, this new version represents a lot more than just a reboot; it is a resurrection.
The Crow (2024) is a media franchise of four published films and a television series, all created in the United States. Based on the limited comic book series in 1989 of the same name by James O’Barr.
This stars Bill Skarsgård as Eric, brooding and relentless, FKA twigs, Danny Huston, Josette Simon, and Laura Birn.
The film had originally been scheduled to be out of movie houses on June 7, 2024, but distribution rights were snatched away from other competitors by Lionsgate for a fairly hefty sum of $10 million.
Lionsgate Films released The Crow into theaters across the nation on August 22, 2024, after first viewed in France on August 21, 2024.
It takes 1 hour and 55 minutes to get through this R-rated movie; it’s full of fiercely bloody violence and raw language, highly sexual scenes, nudity, and drugs.
You can watch The Crow in Cinemas.
WHAT IS ‘THE CROW 2024’ ABOUT?
Eric comes home one day, only to find his beloved horse caught by a barbed wire, clinging to life by a thread. Inside their mobile home, his mother is deep in a drunken stupor, oblivious to the tragedy unfolding just outside.
This moment marks the beginning of Eric’s dark journey, as he’s soon sent away to an institution for troubled youth.
Shelly—a girl on the run, hiding out at the same institution to escape the clutches of Roeg and his men. They’re hunting her down, all because of a mysterious video sent by her friend Zadie, a dire warning of the danger lurking around every corner.
Eric and Shelly quickly form a bond, drawn together by their shared turmoil. But just when they think they might be safe, Roeg’s ruthless right-hand woman, Marian, shows up at the institution.
Their newfound freedom is intoxicating—they fall in love, surrounded by friends, music, and moments of stolen joy. But their happiness is short-lived. Roeg’s men are relentless, and they track the couple down, brutally ending their lives.
But death isn’t the end for Eric. He awakens in a shadowy warehouse, surrounded by crows, where a mysterious spirit reveals a chilling truth: if Eric wants Shelly back, he must avenge her death by hunting down those who took her life.
Driven by love and vengeance, Eric embarks on a blood-soaked quest, one that will lead him back to the warehouse, where each kill brings him closer to reuniting with his lost love.
MY THOUGHTS ON “THE CROW” (2024)
The original “The Crow” movie was something back in the 90s. Not by any stretch of the imagination was it perfect, but it certainly was something that a lot of people connected with. People loved it for its dark, gothic style and the tragic tale behind the scenes, which touched many since it was the last role of Brandon Lee. Now, with a new version of “The Crow,” fans are both excited and nervous. Will it live up to the legacy?
When I heard they were remaking “The Crow,” I had mixed feelings. It was such a unique film in its time, and messing with a classic can often be risky. But I decided to go into it with an open mind, and honestly, I was surprised.
You can feel free to leave the theatre as soon as the movie ends, without needing to wait around for anything, since we’ve now confirmed that there isn’t a post-credit scene in The Crow.
On one hand, the film nailed exactly what made the original so great—dark and creepy. On the other hand, parts of it just didn’t work for me. The story felt a bit rushed, and the characters, well, they could have used a little more development. But it wasn’t all bad.
There were some things that I liked about this rendition. Most notably, Bill Skarsgård as Eric Draven was truly something.
CHARACTER PERFORMANCE
Now, let’s talk about Bill Skarsgård, the one who played Eric Draven in this new version.
I must say, he did a great job! In truth, it is one of Skarsgård’s strengths—channeling dark and hurt emotions in character—and he pulled it off very well here. He is intense, brooding, and completely believable as someone who has returned to life for revenge.
Whereas Skarsgård was brilliant, some of the other characters came off as quite flat. They did not have much depth or personality; it was only through the interaction with Eric that anything about them did not seem to make any dent in the story. It is as if they were thrown in just for plot development and a little more.
VISUAL DESIGN AND CINEMATOGRAPHY
One of the things that “The Crow” (2024) got right was in the visual design: the film looks stunning, with dark, gothic sets that genuinely pull you into the world of the film.
The cinematography is beautiful; there are dramatic lighting and shadows here and there that contribute much to the eerie atmosphere.
The action sequences were pretty impressive; they had a lot of energy and some cool CGI effects. It’s somewhat similar to the first movie! For sure, those dark city streets, rain-soaked alleys, and creepy, deserted buildings all make it a stylish and visually pleasant movie that is fun to watch.
WRITING STYLE AND STORY
Here’s where things get a little shaky. The writing on “The Crow” (2024) is a bit hit or miss. The basic story remains the same: Eric Draven rises from the dead to avenge his and his fiancée’s murders. But the way that this retelling is done in this version isn’t as strong as it could have been.
I mean, not even the fun kind of cheesy dialogue. It feels out of place and does little to develop the characters or the plot. One feels that a lot could have been done with the script to make the characters feel even more real and the whole story come across as truly polished.
Instead, the film at times feels almost mechanical in action, really offering nothing new or truly exciting.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS
im ngl the new crow was assmode. fka was cute tho
— aj (@aj_ackass) August 25, 2024
i just watched the crow and something in me has awakened. i need a tall, tattooed, ripped man covered in blood. for science.
— Daisy (@faerygodmothr) August 25, 2024
Saw the new “The Crow” movie tonight. Different from the original but still a good movie. I enjoyed the twists it had and thought Skaarsgard, less quippy, did a good job taking on the Crow role. Here’s hoping more fans go to see it so we get more Eric Draven going forward.
— Andrew Hoskins (@Freepilicious) August 25, 2024
Ok so the Crow remake
— Ashley•Free Palastine 🇵🇸 (@LivingOffSpite) August 25, 2024
It’s not dogshit-it’s not great, but it’s not dogshit.
Drags its feet in some places and rushes others. For a 2 hour long movie it feels like Eric is the crow for only like the last 30 minutes, he might’ve been it for longer but it takes a long time.
THEMES
“The Crow” has always been about deep themes like love, loss, and revenge. This new version tries to tackle those same ideas, but it doesn’t always hit the mark. The film concentrates much on the deep affection between Eric and his fiancée, but it cannot feel in the place of the original.
That said, the movie does explore this concept of revenge in a way that is still quite compelling.
The quest for justice that Eric goes through is brutal and unrelenting; it’s obviously what drives him step-by-step. Yet, the film never really pauses to explore the implications of his acts or the toll that this very quest has taken on him.
CONCLUSION
All of which brings us to “The Crow” (2024). I feel very mixed about the movie. On the one hand, it’s quite good visually, and Bill Skarsgård as the lead is a solid performer.
But on the other hand, the writing and character development? Weak. As an original fan, you might find this version lacking, but for sure, the visuals and action speak so much.
“The Crow” (2024) turns out to be in the end an imperfect movie, but by no means a total disaster. It’s a very bold attempt at bringing this story to a classic and refreshed generation, and though it doesn’t always pay off, it has enough good moments to give the work real charm.
You may just enjoy the ride if you go in with the right expectations—knowing that it is not that original.
People also watch – Alien: Romulus (2024).
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