The Crow Reimagined: A Modern Take on a Gothic Classic
Alex Proyas’s gothic thriller “The Crow” stands as a rare example of a successful Hollywood film, one that seemed almost untouchable for a reboot. The tragic death of Brandon Lee, the film’s lead, inadvertently became both a curse and a blessing, with its dark symbolism exploited by studios. While audience fascination with the tragedy fueled the franchise for a decade, each subsequent installment somehow managed to be worse than the last. By the time “The Crow: Wicked Prayer” was released in 2005, the original’s inspiring tale of love and revenge had crumbled into dust, and the comic’s cult status was overshadowed by real-world events.
Bill Skarsgård as Eric in “The Crow”
However, just four years later, James O’Barr’s graphic novel once again caught the eye of film studios. This time, the plan was a full-fledged reboot of “The Crow,” emphasizing realism in the vein of Christopher Nolan. Over the years, actors like Mark Wahlberg, Channing Tatum, Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, and even Jason Momoa were considered for the role of Eric Draven. Momoa came closest to landing the part, with production starting in 2016, only to be abruptly halted without clear explanation. Nevertheless, test shots of Momoa as the character still circulate online. Six years later, it became clear that a new “Crow” was indeed happening, with Rupert Sanders (“Snow White and the Huntsman”) directing and Bill Skarsgård (“It”) as the protagonist.
Bill Skarsgård as Eric in “The Crow”
A New Story for a New Generation
This sixth film adaptation of “The Crow” only loosely follows the original story. The main characters, millennials Eric (Skarsgård) and Shelly (Fka Twigs), meet in rehab, where they confront childhood traumas and atone for youthful sins. The quiet Eric is quickly drawn to the vibrant Shelly, and the two connect and run away together. Their romantic escape is cut short by a sinister reality: a powerful figure from Shelly’s past (Danny Huston) decides to eliminate the couple, hiring thugs to do the job. The lovers are killed, but Eric is resurrected. Guided by a raven, a conduit between the worlds of the living and the dead, Eric embarks on a quest to find their killers, believing that their deaths will save Shelly’s soul from eternal torment.
Challenging Expectations
Even before its release, “The Crow” faced a wave of unwarranted criticism, fueled in part by Alex Proyas himself, who seemed determined to quash any remakes. Many devoted fans of the original film also viewed the new version as sacrilege and a desecration of the memory of the tragically deceased actor. However, these prejudices seem unfair, as Rupert Sanders’s “The Crow” is not just another attempt to profit from Brandon Lee’s legacy. Instead, it offers a fresh perspective on a familiar story, skillfully adapted for modern audiences. James O’Barr’s original comic followed the popular “women in refrigerators” trope, where the female character is sacrificed to advance the main plot. Proyas’s film largely inherited these traits, turning Eric Draven into a perpetual martyr, with revenge as the film’s central theme. Without changing the core elements, Sanders has created a film with a completely different tone. His “Crow” is a dark, slightly sentimental fairy tale about the immortal bonds of love and restless souls seeking peace.
Bill Skarsgård as Eric in “The Crow”
Skarsgård and Fka Twigs: A Powerful Duo
Bill Skarsgård and Fka Twigs, both with striking appearances, become the driving force of the plot and, perhaps, its only reliable weapon against the wave of negative reviews. Their shared eccentricity, spontaneity, and remarkable on-screen chemistry help “The Crow” spread its wings and fly far away from any comparisons to its heavy predecessor. As for the theme of revenge, Sanders’s style is closer to the origins of the comic than Proyas’s. In its rare moments of brutality, the new “Crow” pointedly avoids firearms. Armed with a katana, Eric graphically crushes skulls, breaks bones, and amputates limbs, in the best traditions of Hong Kong action films and “John Wick.” Recognizing his limitations in the face of Chad Stahelski’s clever fight choreography, Sanders unleashes a wild, bloody spectacle and, surprisingly, succeeds.
A Flawed but Worthy Reimagining
Despite its appeal, the new “Crow” will likely struggle to escape Alex Proyas’s curse. Sanders’s film feels disjointed and contradictory, echoing the long behind-the-scenes disputes and the film’s vulnerable creative policy, which Bill Skarsgård himself has repeatedly discussed in interviews. Nevertheless, “The Crow” has managed to dust off a semi-forgotten franchise without resorting to mimicry or nostalgic references, which in itself is an achievement.