It’s rare to find a piece of art that perfectly embodies its time period, let alone one that resists the pull of its cultural trends. The Crow is a film that broke down more barriers for goth kids than a flash sale at Hot Topic, and its legacy is one that not only stood the test of time, but continues to influence all who adopt its somber and intense style. From the art direction to the soundtrack, this movie delivers darkness in all the right places. While many remember it for the tragedy surrounding its production and the loss of Brandon Lee, there are others, like myself, who remember it as a stepping stone toward a future filled with creative inspiration.
The film opens with a sweeping shot over a burning city, punctuated by drums that intensify what we’re about to witness—a tragic story of two lovers caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, giving birth to one of the greatest revenge stories ever told on screen. Throughout the movie, we are bathed in darkness, but it’s done with striking highlights that contrast the shapes of each set. There had been several movies up until that point that tried to capture a similar atmosphere but often did so in a way that washed out the life of whatever we were meant to focus on, making everything seem dull and uninteresting. In The Crow, the sets are vividly realistic yet feel otherworldly, almost like something from a comic book—a fitting choice, as this movie was originally based on one.
Any movie is only as strong as its cast, and The Crow benefits from a phenomenal ensemble. From the subtle stars, like Tony Todd, who uses his iconic Candyman voice to narrate the shadows of a criminal underworld, to the immense charisma of Brandon Lee, captivating us at every moment he’s on screen, The Crow delivers on every level of production. This makes it easier for us, as the audience, to feel everything that unfolds on screen. We take that journey with its main character Eric Draven, feeling just as passionate in his quest for vengeance. Sadly, this could also be due to the fact that the movie was shrouded in sadness after Brandon Lee’s tragic death due to a terrible accident on set. This loss lent a certain mythic quality to the film, with such a bright star taken under such horrible circumstances.
Tragedy aside, it’s the genuine emotion in this movie that drives its quest for justice. Typically, a movie so dark and brooding might shy away from embracing themes of love and light, but that was the essence of Eric Draven’s journey. As a moody goth teenager, this film was the perfect vessel for me to channel my own selfish brooding. Yet it also opened up a side I had repressed—a side of love and light that the movie embraced, which allowed me to explore those emotions in my own life. Obviously, the coolest part of watching The Crow as a goth fan was the badass makeup and fight scenes, but the love story was an aspect that truly changed how I saw life. It taught me to cherish the moment, something Brandon Lee himself spoke about in behind-the-scenes footage.
So, how could a film like this get any better for someone like me at the time? A goth teen who also happened to love heavy music and play whatever instrument I could get my hands on? Well, The Crow soundtrack just so happened to be one of the best things to happen to heavy music at that time. It remains one of the best heavy-hitting soundtracks, with bands like Nine Inch Nails, The Cure, Pantera, and Stone Temple Pilots. It was impossible to skip a track once this album hit your ears. Even the somber yet seemingly out-of-place track “It Can’t Rain All the Time” held its own as it capped off the album. With such an intense soundscape, you couldn’t help but get sucked further into the world this film created.
In the end, The Crow has become a cult classic, with hordes of fans still singing its praises decades later. The movie still holds up to today’s standards, thanks to its brilliant art direction, practical effects, amazing soundtrack, and immensely talented cast. While it would have been nice to see Brandon Lee grow into a long career doing what he loved, I think it’s safe to say his legacy has transcended that of a typical action star. He has become a beacon of inspiration for those who love the darker side of creativity, like myself. He led a movie that lives in our hearts forever, and his courage, individuality, and intensity have allowed us to find strength in the shadows—a place that had seemingly been forbidden as a source of beauty or inspiration. With The Crow, we learned that darkness cannot exist without light, and that not all love stories need to be sappy Hollywood fantasies we can’t relate to. Sometimes, just sometimes, a movie like this can bring a story back, to make the wrong things right.
