Inside of me, there are two crows. One crow grew up with a steady diet of Gothic horror movies like Underworld, Hellboy, Blade, and Queen of the Damned. This crow was all about black eyeliner, plastic jelly bracelets, and fishnet stockings. It wore only black for a decade.
That emo crow would have been obsessed with The Crow. On the other hand, the other crow is older, has watched many more films, and experienced much more of life. This crow is less impressed by the 2024 reboot of The Crow.
When I left the theater after watching the new version of The Crow, I felt genuinely torn about my feelings. On one side, this film seems to align perfectly with the dramatic, violent, and romantic style that resonated with my teenage self.
It features a pair of doomed lovers, a central element of the original film. However, does this alignment mean that the film is actually good? This is a difficult question for me to answer.
What ‘The Crow’ Improves On and What It Lacks Compared to the 1994 Original
The original The Crow, released 30 years ago and starring Brandon Lee, holds a unique place in film history. Watching both the original and the new film, it is challenging to see how the latest version is connected to the old one.
The 1994 film is set in a dark, rainy version of Detroit, embracing a gothic style that was distinctive at the time. In contrast, the 2024 film moves away from this gothic atmosphere. While it aims to be a reboot, it diverges significantly from the original’s aesthetic.
The new film shifts away from the dark gothic look that defined the 1994 version. Instead, it grounds the story of Eric and Shelly in a more realistic setting. This change makes their romance feel more authentic and tangible. In the original film, the romantic element was not emphasized as strongly.
While the 1994 film was visually unique, the 2024 version lacks this distinctiveness. For example, Skarsgård’s Eric is seen wearing fancy underwear, which contrasts sharply with Lee’s portrayal. This may alter some viewers’ perception of Eric Draven, but it serves to humanize him before the tragedy strikes.
In the new film, Eric and Shelly are portrayed as troubled individuals who fall deeply in love. Their relationship is depicted through a wild lifestyle filled with tattoos, drug use, and sexual activity, all shown in bright, vivid colors.
Unlike the original film, which focused mainly on Eric’s quest for revenge, the 2024 film gives more time to showcase their romance.
This shift means that the film’s tone changes significantly after Shelly’s death. Although the 1994 film embraced its gothic style, which sometimes came at the expense of character development, the new film’s approach provides a different experience.
The original film portrayed Shelly as a plot device for Eric’s revenge. Her assault was used mainly to advance Eric’s story rather than to show her character. In contrast, the new film addresses this issue by giving Shelly more depth and removing the elements of sexual violence.
Shelly’s character is now central to the story, which is a significant improvement over her portrayal in the original film. The 2024 film provides a more nuanced depiction of her character, making her role more meaningful and impactful.
‘The Crow’ Doesn’t Know What Type of Movie It Wants To Be
The new The Crow takes a supernatural turn after Shelly’s death. The plot shifts from Eric fighting local thugs to solving a larger mystery involving a powerful antagonist. Huston’s character represents a modern villain, living in luxury and wielding significant power.
Although Huston plays this role effectively, the film struggles with inconsistent world-building and lore. It attempts to combine tragic romance and supernatural action, which leads to narrative gaps and awkward transitions.
Several moments in the film are confusing or leave unanswered questions. For instance, Eric enters a limbo-like space and meets a mysterious figure named Kronos. The film provides extensive explanations in this limbo but fails to integrate these details smoothly into the story.
The film’s attempt to blend tragic romance with supernatural action results in a disjointed narrative. The transition to Eric’s new abilities, explained through a lengthy conversation, feels forced and disrupts the film’s flow.
Despite some exciting action scenes, the film struggles with its identity and doesn’t fully serve its core narrative. The film often relies too heavily on dramatic scenes and spectacle rather than on smooth storytelling. The attempt to address the supernatural elements results in a lack of cohesion in the narrative, making it difficult for the audience to fully engage with the story.
There’s Still Something To Love in ‘The Crow,’ and It’s the Leads
Despite its flaws, the movie is not entirely without merit. Once the story shifts gears, it becomes easier to enjoy the second part of the film.
The first half is driven by the performances of Bill Skarsgård and FKA Twigs. Their chemistry compensates for some weak dialogue and adds depth to their characters. Both actors bring a strong connection and intense emotions to their roles.
Skarsgård effectively portrays Eric’s transformation into a vengeful figure. The film’s bloodiest scenes are both intense and engaging, showcasing Skarsgård’s ability to convey Eric’s evolution from a gentle character to a formidable force.
The final action sequences are entertaining, though the film becomes less complex and more focused on straightforward violence. Skarsgård’s performance is a highlight of the film, bringing a mix of brooding awkwardness and charisma.
FKA Twigs also delivers a compelling performance as Shelly. Despite some melodramatic moments, her portrayal of Shelly is attracting and adds depth to the film. The relationship between Eric and Shelly is depicted with genuine emotion, making their connection feel real and impactful.
The film shows their love story more explicitly than the original, adding weight to Eric’s motivations and enhancing the overall narrative.
‘The Crow’ Is More of a Spiritual Successor
It might seem like I didn’t enjoy the movie, but it actually fits well as a Gen Z update of the original. The film has its share of cheesy moments and clunky dialogue, but it offers a nostalgic throwback for fans of similar movies. Despite its troubled development and various cast changes, Skarsgård and Twigs deliver strong performances that make the film worth watching.
The reboot embraces the emo aesthetic and dramatic style that many fans of the original film will appreciate. If you have fond memories of the emo phase and enjoy films with a dark, romantic edge, this new version of The Crow provides a nostalgic experience. It may not be perfect, but it succeeds in capturing the essence of the original while offering a fresh take on the story.
The 2024 reboot of The Crow is a mixed bag. It provides a fresh perspective on the classic story while maintaining some of the elements that made the original film memorable.
The film’s strengths lie in its performances and its attempt to address the issues of the original, while its weaknesses are evident in its disjointed narrative and inconsistent tone. For fans of the original and those who appreciate a dramatic, supernatural romance, this reboot offers a worthwhile viewing experience.
