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A life long cinephile from the Bay Area in Northern California. Aside from having written for various outlets since 2019, I've been podcasting since 2020.
(Currently Co-Hosting the Geekly Goods Roundup)
When I'm not indulged in a ridiculous amount of media consumption or losing track of days on my Nintendo Switch, I can be found at concerts or playing basketball.
Much like his previous work (Antlers, Crazy Heart), director Scott Cooper brings a lot of flair to The Pale Blue Eye. With its limited theatrical release near its end, audiences will be able to enjoy the film through Netflix starting January 6th. Based on the novel of the same name by Louis Bayard, The Pale Blue Eye is visually engaging from the very first fog-drenched silhouette. Francine Maisler’s (Annihilation, Marriage Story, An American Pickle, The Trial of the Chicago 7, Dune, Bones and All, Babylon) talented cast and Masanobu Takayanagi’s beautiful cinematography definitely stand out. However, this 19th-century murder mystery ties itself in knots the more it unravels.
Trading in A Cape for A Top Hat
Although a full decade has passed since Christian Bale appeared as The Caped Crusader, it is still hard not to see him as Batman. Especially in The Pale Blue Eye when he is in full-on detective mode trying to solve a murder. Thankfully though, the character of Augustus Landor is far more Sherlock Holmes than Bruce Wayne. Nearly mirroring the film itself, both Bale and the narrative take their time to settle in. As most seasoned lead actors do, Bale eventually fully immerses himself as an 1830 constable navigating through an investigation at West Point. The esteemed U.S. Marine Academy makes for an intriguing enough backdrop but things really get going once we are introduced to a real-life legendary poet and author: Edgar Allan Poe.
Harry Melling performs admirably as Edgar Allan Poe. I honestly kept wondering where I have seen him before, but I later learned it was as Dudley Dursley from the Harry Potter film franchise. As Bale’s Landor is to Sherlock Holmes, Melling’s Poe serves as his Watson. He portrays Poe with an eccentric, genius energy that gives a much-needed boost to the second act of the film. Their duo dynamic is actually the best thing The Pale Blue Eye has going for it. Unfortunately, the film goes off the rails once we begin to transition into the final act.
A Head-Spinning Conclusion
Clearly, director Scott Cooper has a knack for atmosphere and singularly exciting sequences. His previous effort Antlers was an intense, moody horror film that ultimately didn’t quite come together. In a similar fashion, there is a lot of visual eye candy and good moments in The Pale Blue Eye, but they just don’t quite pay off. Although the “big twist” is actually interesting on paper, the execution of said twist leaves a lot to be desired. I was actually visibly confused during the anti-climatic finale. I later found myself thinking about it on the way home, but in a frustrated manner versus an endearing one.
On top of all that, most of the film feels like things I have seen before. Classic gothic horror films like From Hell or Sleepy Hollow come to mind and suffice it to say, those are far better films.
I have absolutely nothing against Christian Bale, but as far as murder sleuths go, Netflix already has an ace in Benoit Blanc. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery was much more fun and far more interesting than The Pale Blue Eye.
A life long cinephile from the Bay Area in Northern California. Aside from having written for various outlets since 2019, I've been podcasting since 2020.
(Currently Co-Hosting the Geekly Goods Roundup)
When I'm not indulged in a ridiculous amount of media consumption or losing track of days on my Nintendo Switch, I can be found at concerts or playing basketball.
This article was edited by John Tangalin.