The following contains spoilers for The Crow, now playing in theaters
Summary
The Crowtakes a fresh approach to the decades-old franchise. A grim riff on the superhero archetype that fuses it with stylistic gothic tragedy,The Crowfocuses on the quest for revengethat brings Eric Draven (aka the Crow) back to life after the brutal murders of him and his true love. Inspiring a cult classic film starring the late Brandon Lee, 2024 brings the concept back to the big screen with a new version starring Bill Skarsgård, FKA Twigs, and Danny Huston.The Crowupdates the setting and tweaks the lore in interesting ways that feel true to the original.
Some of these changes come across in the backstory, with a new approach to the way Eric Draven is brought back to life and how his powers work. He lacks some of the unique abilities that other versions of the character had, and has a unique supporting character in his version of the story. However, that shifted focus makes room for a greater emphasis on the romantic relationship that defines the character’s trauma. This even ends up hinting at a much larger supernatural world at play. Here’s howThe Crowof 2024deviates from the previous versions of the character.
2024’s The Crow Could Be Great, But I Wish This Earlier Reboot Attempt Happened
Before the days of the 2024 The Crow film, a titled reboot was in development, with it starring one of the biggest actors of the modern day.
Eric Draven’s Origin Story In The Crow 2024
The CrowActually Focuses On Eric & Shelly’s Love Story
The latest cinematic adaptation ofThe Crowtakes some liberties with the source material, tweaking important elements of the original story. The Eric Draven introduced to audiences in the 2024 version ofThe Crowis quickly established as a quiet and troubled young man. After a traumatic childhood, Eric is introduced in the present day in a prison-like rehab center. Expressing himself through drawings and writing, Eric’s life changes when he meets the facility’s latest patient, Shelly. The two escape the rehab center and spend a period of time together forging a close romance before being murdered by Vincent’s men.
The reason behind their death is less randomthan in the comic or the Brandon Lee film. In the new film, it’s henchmen for the supernaturally empowered crime-lord Vincent Roeg kill Shelly and Eric after hunting her down. The sheer tragedy of this loss is enough for the mysterious ravens and Kronos to offer Eric a chance at vengeance, setting up his resurrection and transformation into a killing machine. While the details of the 2024 version of Eric Draven’s origins might be different from the others, they still adhere to the central themes and intention of the Crow’s classic origin.
Eric Draven’s The Crow Powers & Abilities In The 2024 Movie
The CrowLeans Into Eric Draven Being Unkillable
The 2024 version of Eric possesses many of the same abilities as other versions of the character. The biggest is his immortality. Although he can feel pain, otherwise mortal blows quickly heal. As the film progresses, Eric seems to become more accustomed to this, even using this endurance to his advantage inThe Crow’s action-packed finale, wherehe brushes off gunshots to slice through multiple men. He primarily relies on brute force and a gun early on, but takes up a sword for his final assault, using his ability to cover distances through a hail of gunfire to his advantage.
Eric does have a major weakness, however, and one that he accidentally unleashes on himself. His powers are fueled by the sheer gravity of his lost love. However,Kronos reveals that that same deep love can be undercut with doubtand cost him those powers. Losing faith in Shelly after watching a video of her killing someone leaves Eric depowered at a crucial moment, resulting in his death at the hands of Vincent’s men. This may have ended his mission right then and there, but Eric’s decision to trade his life for Shelly’s return allows him another shot at revenge.
Every Actor Who Has Played The Crow
The Crow franchise has had different actors playing the title character in movies and TV shows, and not all of them have played Eric Draven.
How Bill Skarsgård’s The Crow Origin Compares To The Comic & Past Movies
Each Version Of Sherry Is Killed For A Different Reason
Similar to 1994’s film adaptation starring Brandon Lee,The Crowis largely based on the original James O’Barr comics. All three versions of the story follow the same basic trajectory, with Eric supernaturally revived and sent on a bloody path of vengeance after Shelly’s death. The attack that destroyed Eric’s life in the comic was a random act of horrible violence. The gang attack still occurs in the original film but is eventually revealed to be partially motivated by the couple’s efforts in protesting Top Dollar’s attempts to clear the neighborhood ahead of a plan to burn the city down.
Bill Skarsgård
The Crow(2024)
In the 2024 version ofThe Crow, the video tying Shelly to Vincent gives him reason to send his men after her, eventually resulting in her death. Eric’s own demise is a side-result of this attack, a terrible example of “wrong place, wrong time.“This reflects the new film’s heightened focus on Shellybefore her death. While the 1994 version of Eric was established as a musician, Shelly’s musical inklings and recognition of the musicality in Eric’s writings help establush their romance. Shelly is a more important part of the new film, and less of a pure motivation for Eric.
How Bill Skarsgård’s The Crow Powers Compare To The Comic & Past Movies
All three versions of the Crow share the same basic power set.Each of them is immortal. The cinematic versions effectively have healing factors, while the comic version is functionally a walking corpse. While pain is always a factor, each version of Eric can soldier through almost any injury. All of them also quickly develop strong fighting skills. However, each of the three exhibits unique power sets as well. The 1994 version could absorb and redistribute the pain of others. The 2024 version seemingly has a greater connection to the after-life, dragging Vincent into the realm during the final struggle.
In all three versions,Eric is empowered by mystical crows. In the comic, the Crow is a presence that haunts Eric, acting as a guide and tormentor. The 1994 version ofThe Crowhad the birds serve as gatekeepers to the afterlife. A crow follows Eric and serves as a conduit for his powers, making it a target late in the film. The new version retains supernatural crows but keeps them removed from the story, with Kronos serving as a personification of them. That amiguity speaks to some of the big changes made to the newest version ofThe Crow.
The Crow
Cast
The Crow (2024) is a dark and gritty reimagining of the original graphic novel. It follows Eric, who is resurrected from the dead to avenge his and his soulmate’s brutal murders. Armed with supernatural abilities, Eric seeks justice against the killers responsible, navigating through a corrupt city that is as much a character as he is. This adaptation introduces new elements to captivate the modern audience!
