A Soulless Rebirth: “The Crow” (2024) Dumpster Fire.

In a misguided attempt to revive the iconic tale of “The Crow,” director Rupert Sanders has delivered a lackluster, style-over-substance film that fails to capture the essence of James O’Barr’s beloved graphic novel. Bill Skarsgård, typically a compelling actor, is reduced to a mere prop in a sea of leather and eyeliner, his chemistry with FKA Twigs’ Shelly suffocated by a meandering narrative that prioritizes mood over substance.

The film’s first half is a slog, bogged down in a faux-erotic haze that fails to ignite any real emotional investment. The script’s attempt to flesh out Eric’s backstory falls flat, with a half-baked trauma subplot that adds nothing to the story. When the supernatural elements finally kick in, the film descends into a gore-soaked free-for-all, with Eric’s vengeance-fueled rampage feeling more like a shallow attempt to appease fans of the original rather than a genuine exploration of the character’s trauma.

Danny Huston’s villain, Roeg, is a cartoonish figure with motivations as murky as the film’s cinematography. His character’s ability to corrupt mortals and wield dark powers is woefully underdeveloped, making him a less compelling foe than expected. The supporting cast is equally underutilized, with talented actors like Sami Bouajila and Will Kemp relegated to thankless roles. The dialogue is clunky and often cringe-worthy, with characters speaking in a stilted, overly dramatic tone that feels like a parody of the original.

Sanders’ direction is a perfect example of style over substance, with the film’s dark, gothic aesthetic feeling like a shallow attempt to recapture the magic of the 1994 original. The action scenes are few and far between, and when they do arrive, they’re overly reliant on CGI and lack the visceral punch of Brandon Lee’s iconic performances. The film’s score, a mishmash of industrial and gothic rock, fails to elevate the mood, instead feeling like a lazy attempt to tap into the nostalgia of fans.

The original “Crow” film, released in 1994, was a masterpiece of dark fantasy, exploring themes of love, loss, and redemption in a haunting and beautiful way. Brandon Lee’s iconic performance as Eric Draven brought depth and nuance to the character, making his tragic demise all the more heartbreaking. The film’s cinematography, handled by Dariusz Wolski, was a work of art, capturing the gritty, gothic atmosphere of Detroit in a way that felt both haunting and beautiful. The score, composed by Graeme Revell, perfectly complemented the on-screen action, elevating the mood and adding depth to the story.

In contrast, the 2024 iteration feels like a shallow imitation, lacking the depth and emotion that made the original so compelling. The film’s attempt to expand on the source material falls flat, with new characters and plotlines feeling like unnecessary additions to the story. The film’s pacing is plodding, with long stretches of boring exposition that fail to advance the plot.

The film’s failure is all the more disappointing given the potential of the source material. James O’Barr’s graphic novel is a masterpiece of dark fantasy, exploring themes of love, loss, and redemption in a haunting and beautiful way. The 1994 film adaptation, despite its flaws, captured the essence of the novel and became a cult classic.

This new iteration, however, feels like a lazy, unoriginal attempt to cash in on a beloved franchise without putting in the effort to understand what made it tick. Even the most ardent fans of the original will find themselves checking their watches as the film limps towards its predictable conclusion. This Crow’s wings are clipped, and it’s a shame. With a bit more attention to storytelling and character development, this could have been a worthy successor to the original. Instead, it’s a forgettable, messy attempt to revive a classic.