Who thought it was a good idea to hand the reins of a visually striking franchise like The Crow to Rupert Sanders, the director behind the visually unremarkable Ghost in the Shell and Snow White and the Huntsman? After languishing in development hell since 2008 and cycling through countless actors and directors, Lionsgate has finally delivered a film that showcases some striking imagery and solid performances but ultimately leaves us unengaged. It is another reboot that fails to justify its own existence.
The plot follows Eric, a troubled addict in a rehab center who forms a bond with Shelly, a fellow musician. After she receives incriminating evidence against crime lord Vincent Roeg, their lives take a tragic turn that leads to their murders and Eric’s resurrection by a mystical crow. This sets him on a vengeance-fueled quest to reunite with Shelly’s spirit.
Where the original film thrived on its boldness, this 2024 version plays it far too safe. While the 1994 film may not be perfect, it never felt restrained. The result here is a bland visual experience devoid of the dark energy that defined the original. Although Skarsgård and Twigs share chemistry, their polished appearances clash with the gritty atmosphere that the story demands. Skarsgård’s performance is competent but lacks the nuance necessary to portray Eric’s transformation; a quirkier start could have lent him a more compelling arc. Instead, he often feels like a hollow shell. Even Danny Houston, typically a commanding presence, falls flat as Roeg, rendering the villain a mere shadow of a threat.
One moment of brilliance shines through in a vibrant opera scene, infusing the film with a much-needed burst of creativity. Yet, this brief respite does little to elevate the visually monotonous experience. The pacing drags in the first act, with the purgatory sequences feeling too repetitive, which stalls the film’s momentum.
Overall, this reboot squanders its chances to stand out, from uninspired cinematography to an unbearable score that undermines any emotional weight. The Crow (2024) feels less like a worthy revival and more like a missed opportunity, leaving fans yearning for the original’s bold style. While it’s not an outright disaster, it certainly fails to honor the legacy it seeks to reclaim.
- Where to watch
Prime Video
telecine
Play trailer
- Original title
- The Crow
- Director
- Rupert Sanders
- Cast
- Bill Skarsgård, FKA twigs, Danny Huston, Josette Simon, Laura Birn, Sami Bouajila, Karel Dobrý, Jordan Bolger
- Rated
- 18A
- Screenwriter
- William Josef Schneider, Zach Baylin, Ian McCaffrey
- Composer
- Volker Bertelmann
- Cinematography
- Steve Annis, John Trapman
- Editor
- Michael Maroussas, Rob Killick, James Boyle, Mark Adams, Noami Bourgeois, Richard Armstrong, Jason Ballantine, Traci Duran, George Adams, Chloë Kilby, Sam Day, George Riley, Béatrice Antis, Barbara Dobrovitz, Nick Feldman, Nevin Seus
- Country
- Language
- English
- Budget
- $50 million
- Box office
- $24.109 million
- Distributor (CA)
- Lionsgate
- Streaming (CA)
- Amazon Prime Video
- Buy / rent (CA)
- Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Amazon Video