This new rendition of “The Crow” is a frustrating misstep that stumbles through its plot and characters, leaving viewers with a sense of bewilderment and disappointment. While some bad movies manage to achieve cult status through their sheer awfulness, this one fails even to reach that low bar.
The Crow (2024)
This new rendition of “The Crow” is a misguided attempt at rekindling the magic of the 1994 cult classic. Instead, it delivers a convoluted plot, underdeveloped characters, and a baffling sense of disorientation that leaves viewers scratching their heads in disbelief. Even the so-bad-it’s-good category seems out of reach for this cinematic misfire.
The film tries to put a new spin on the story of Eric Draven, a man tragically murdered alongside his fiancée and then resurrected to deliver vengeance upon their killers. However, the screenplay stumbles from the outset, struggling to establish any emotional connection between the audience and its characters. Bill Skarsgård’s performance as Eric lacks the haunting intensity and tortured soul that Brandon Lee brought to the role, while FKA twigs as Shelly is woefully underutilized, leaving her character feeling like a mere plot device.
The narrative itself is a convoluted mess, jumping between flashbacks and present-day scenes without providing any clear sense of direction or purpose. The world-building is equally incoherent, presenting a murky, gothic landscape that feels both generic and confusing. The film’s action sequences are unimaginative and rely heavily on tired clichés, failing to generate any real thrills or excitement.
Director Rupert Sanders seems to have lost his way in this production, resulting in a film that feels both rushed and disjointed. Scenes feel awkwardly stitched together, and the pacing is uneven, leaving the audience feeling lost and unengaged. The overall impression is one of a project hastily cobbled together without a clear vision or understanding of its source material.
In the end, this “Crow” remake is a disappointing addition to the long list of failed reboots. It misses the mark on every level, failing to capture the heart and soul of the original film. Fans of the 1994 classic would be better served revisiting that version, while newcomers to the franchise should steer clear of this misguided attempt altogether. This “Crow” can’t fly, and it certainly can’t sing.
