By Cameryn Bentler
It’s officially fall, and students are noticing the changes all over the Western New England University campus. Fruits on the trees are making their way to the ground, the leaves are changing colors, and the temperatures are dropping.
With autumn time comes my, and many others, favorite holiday: Halloween. Who doesn’t love spooky season? (If you say you don’t, you’re lying.) If you have cycled through all the classic Halloween movies by now, I’ve got a cult classic you’d enjoy: Alex Proyas’ 1994 film “The Crow.”
It’s a rainy night in Detroit, Michigan. Even more importantly, it is the infamous Devil’s Night, an annual plague of crime and arson for the city. The night before Eric Draven (Brandon Lee) and Shelly Webster (Sofia Shinas) are meant to be wed. Things go horribly wrong on this night when a gang of criminals break into their home, murder Eric, brutally assault and eventually kill Shelly.
A year passes by, and Eric Draven- guided by a vengeful crow- rises from the dead as a vigilante to finally grant his fiancée justice.
I won’t spoil everything here; that will ruin your viewing experience! But one thing you should know about this film is the gothic atmosphere and symbolism. There’s an omnipotent crow with the ability to harness Eric’s revenge beyond the dead, eerie cathedrals and crumbling rooftops, dramatic but dark costuming, and looming darkness that clouds the film’s narrative.
Another major feature of this movie is the phenomenal soundtrack, featuring 90’s alt-rock bands from The Cure to Nine Inch Nails, and even Stone Temple Pilots. If you don’t tune in to this film, give the soundtrack a spin: it holds up its own cinematic experience.
Director Proyas leans into Frankenstein imagery in depicting Draven, as the undead vigilante seems to be like Frankenstein’s monster after crawling out of his grave and stumbling throughout Detroit with tragedy and anguish. Its dark romanticism and gothic symbolism curate a profound cinematic experience.
To be fair, this movie is not an Oscar winner by any means. The dialogue can be a bit corny at times, and sometimes the fights seem unrealistic, but the aesthetics, soundtrack, symbolism, and fast paced action will absolutely keep you entertained and in the Halloween spirit.
So, when you get a break from your mid-term study sessions, turn on The Crow. Its moody atmosphere is perfect for this time of year. And happy Halloween- ‘tis the season, after all!
