There have been a lot of emotions swirling around the new adaptation of The Crow. While it is tempting to compare this adaptation of the classic graphic novel to the 1994 version starring Brandon Lee, I believe that individual adaptations should be judged on their own merits. So if you are able to leave your mid-nineties nostalgia at the door or if this is your first foray into the angsty world of Eric Draven, this review is for you.

A brief warning before we get into the review. it’s important to know that there are a number of graphic scenes depicting suicide in this film. Unfortunately, the film did not include any warnings, so if you are sensitive to that kind of imagery, please be aware of what you are getting into.

The Plot

The Crow follows Eric Draven (Bill Skarsgård) on a desperate journey to save the soul of the woman he loves, Shelly Webster (FKA Twigs). The two are killed as a result of Shelly’s mysterious past, but Eric is pulled back from the land of the dead to fulfill a murderous mission. He must claw his way through the ranks of a criminal organization, leaving bloodied bodies in his wake, to eliminate the source of the evil that took their lives.

The Cast

Bill Skarsgård does a reasonable job as Eric Draven, though his accent is inconsistent at times. FKA Twigs probably gives my favorite performance, balancing a playful sweetness with the weight of her past. The final actor of note is Danny Huston, a veteran villain in the comic book movie genre, having faced off against both Wolverine and Wonder Woman.

Doomed Lovers?

The entire first act of The Crow is devoted to the love story between Eric and Shelly. Though, in reality, it is less like true love and more a severe codependency. I found that they are believable as two extremely broken people who, rather than engaging in much-needed therapy, choose to find comfort and safety with each other.

The Look

I enjoyed the overall vibe of this movie. The cinematography is stylized and moody, the set design isn’t afraid to feel grungy and lived in when needed, and the costume design is something I’m going to call “Machine Gun Kelly tweaker chic”.

The Brutality

One place that this version of The Crow is not lacking is brutality. It never shies away from showing a bit of exposed intestine or arterial spray to make a point. More than a few have compared the action to Lionsgate’s John Wick franchise, but the level of violence in The Crow exceeds that, and most other action thrillers, and strays into the horror genre.

In fact, one of my favorite things about The Crow is that Eric Draven is not a particularly skilled fighter, but thanks to his undead healing factor, he is quite good at soaking up damage until he can get in a good hit. Skarsgård really sells this aspect of his powers, putting the pain of every cut, gunshot, and compound fracture on full display.

The Problems

The dialogue can be clunky. The acting from many of the secondary characters, and occasionally Skarsgård himself, can feel rushed. Many characters are underdeveloped, and almost all the motivations are either paper-thin or non-existent.

Putting aside any of these issues, by far, the biggest problem with The Crow is that it left me wanting so much more. I wanted to dive deep into the mythology. I wanted to know more about Huston’s villainous Vincent Roeg’s motivation and spend more time with the mysterious spirit guide Kronos (Sammy Boujila). I craved a more satisfying final battle between the two immortal enemies. Something tells me there exists a director’s cut somewhere that would ease these curiosities, and I can only hope that Lionsgate will one day release it.

Ultimately, while the 2024 remake of The Crow does wind up leaving something to be desired, it is an acceptable entry in the action revenge genre. Unfortunately, I fear any actual discussion of its value is already being overshadowed by nostalgia-fueled comparisons to a cult classic. While everyone is free to have their own opinion on this film, I urge you to keep an open mind and leave yourself room to be surprised.