The Crow is a great film, though I know my opinion is in the minority. I think I understand why: many believe this story should remain untouched, tied forever to Brandon Lee’s iconic performance and the tragedy surrounding his untimely death. While I deeply respect and acknowledge that loss, I believe stories like this are timeless and deserve to be retold. Movies, like all forms of storytelling, are most powerful when they resonate with their era—and that warrants not just one remake, but potentially many.
To put it in perspective, consider the classic Christmas song “O Holy Night.” While a solo piano version might be beautiful, think about the renditions by Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Josh Groban, or Tinashe. Each offers something unique and moving, and the same can be true of movies. What’s better than one homerun? Two. Or three. Or more. Just as we don’t have “too many” Batman or Spider-Man films (says I), I don’t believe we can have too many interpretations of The Crow. Each remake has the opportunity to bring something new and relevant to the table.
Now, onto the film itself. The love story at the heart of The Crow was brief but incredibly powerful. Bill Skarsgård’s portrayal of Eric perfectly captured a love so passionate that not even death could sever it, leaving him stuck in limbo. And FKA twigs as Shelly was absolutely standout. Their chemistry made the emotional core of the film resonate deeply.
Danny Huston’s Vincent Roeg was another highlight. Reminiscent of Peter Stormare’s Lucifer in Constantine, Roeg exuded a dark, magnetic energy that kept the audience in suspense. What made his character so compelling was that his power wasn’t a curse, like that of a vampire, but rather an extension of his inherent darkness. It was as if he was born to assume this sinister mantle, and Huston was a perfect casting choice.
If you can let go of the idea that this story should be retired out of respect for Brandon Lee and instead embrace the potential for reinvention, this film is absolutely worth watching. It honors the spirit of the original while carving out its own space in the legacy of The Crow.
