Reminds me of Tim Burton's The legend of Sleepy Hallow. Its not as dark and scary as Burton's movie , but it is somehow more mature and realistic science wise. Great cinematic appeal , what makes it beautiful is this chilly, gothic lonely and at times frozen in time scenery which is breathtaking in this movie. No fake Green studious or design sets and obvious film stages, its all real nature with rich scenes. Its a A dark mystery that cuts deep, and leaves you empty once you understand the painful ending. Bale did good , getting old with his skills but he delivers. All in all this movie is worth two hours of your time.
412 Reviews
Eery and suspenseful. Solid acting performance by Christian Bale.
imseeg4 January 2023
Not an extraordinary detective, but a really solid one.
The good; director Scott Cooper is a craftsman at building up suspense. In many scenes where seemingly nothing much happens, there is still that AIR OF EERY SUSPENSE. That feeling under my skin that something is about to happen.
A mysterious, eery feeling permeates throughout this entire, mesmirizing story. And it gets more intense and mysterious towards the final...
More good: Christian Bale, Christian Bale, Christian Bale. One of my favorite actors and he has got the gift of method acting. He becomes the part. He is the part. And it is such a joy to watch him perform this role in such a way that it mesmirized me from start till finish...
Any bad? This movie starts out quite slow, but the tension and suspense, slowly but steadily, build up until the very fascinating end. So have some patience and you will be rewarded by a solidly made detective.
The good; director Scott Cooper is a craftsman at building up suspense. In many scenes where seemingly nothing much happens, there is still that AIR OF EERY SUSPENSE. That feeling under my skin that something is about to happen.
A mysterious, eery feeling permeates throughout this entire, mesmirizing story. And it gets more intense and mysterious towards the final...
More good: Christian Bale, Christian Bale, Christian Bale. One of my favorite actors and he has got the gift of method acting. He becomes the part. He is the part. And it is such a joy to watch him perform this role in such a way that it mesmirized me from start till finish...
Any bad? This movie starts out quite slow, but the tension and suspense, slowly but steadily, build up until the very fascinating end. So have some patience and you will be rewarded by a solidly made detective.
The Pale Blue Eye
henry8-36 January 2023
1830 and Detective Landor (Christian Bale) is summoned to the West Point academy to investigate the apparent suicide by hanging of a cadet, whose body was then subsequently mutilated. Unable to get much information from the closed shop academy, he enlists the help of a solitary cadet, one Edgar Allan Poe. Together they start to realise that this did not start with a suicide.
Enjoyable who and why dunnit mystery thriller set against the beautiful scenery and equally beautifully filmed backdrop of snow covered New York. Bale is convincing as the tough, canny detective haunted by the death of his wife and the disappearance of his daughter. Harry Melling as a truly eccentric Poe is also on good form delivering a performance just this side of over the top. Carrying this through with equal weight is the glorious supporting cast including Timothy Small as the camp commander, Simon McBurney cast against type as the tough Captain who isn't that keen on Landor being there, the great Toby Jones as the camp doctor, Robert Duvall as an eccentric expert that Bale consults and Gillian Anderson who can do no wrong in anything she does. A good, atmospheric and linear thriller then which should keep you guessing, although the coincidences in play as the story comes to a nonetheless satisfying conclusion are a bit of a stretch. Definitely worth catching.
Enjoyable who and why dunnit mystery thriller set against the beautiful scenery and equally beautifully filmed backdrop of snow covered New York. Bale is convincing as the tough, canny detective haunted by the death of his wife and the disappearance of his daughter. Harry Melling as a truly eccentric Poe is also on good form delivering a performance just this side of over the top. Carrying this through with equal weight is the glorious supporting cast including Timothy Small as the camp commander, Simon McBurney cast against type as the tough Captain who isn't that keen on Landor being there, the great Toby Jones as the camp doctor, Robert Duvall as an eccentric expert that Bale consults and Gillian Anderson who can do no wrong in anything she does. A good, atmospheric and linear thriller then which should keep you guessing, although the coincidences in play as the story comes to a nonetheless satisfying conclusion are a bit of a stretch. Definitely worth catching.
Extraordinary Cast
eire-830957 January 2023
Movie is an okay gothic mystery... but Christian Bale is the god of acting. And Harry Melling does a fantastic job too! Not to mention Gillian Anderson... so 10/10 for the casting and actors. It's worth watching this movie just because of them.
Script wise not a remarkable story in any ways, but it's solidly executed and the very belivable performance of the actors is what makes or breaks it in this case... and they all quite delightfully deliver! So yes, if you like spooky mysteries but mostly want to get blown away by some serious acting performances -this is the movie for you. Honestly the plot is kinda mediocre, but the acting so unproportionally stellar that i cannot in good conscience not recommend to watch this!
Script wise not a remarkable story in any ways, but it's solidly executed and the very belivable performance of the actors is what makes or breaks it in this case... and they all quite delightfully deliver! So yes, if you like spooky mysteries but mostly want to get blown away by some serious acting performances -this is the movie for you. Honestly the plot is kinda mediocre, but the acting so unproportionally stellar that i cannot in good conscience not recommend to watch this!
A different kind of Sherlock Holmes w/a twist
Hammer-Rocks12 January 2023
This movie at the heart of it, is a 19th century detective thriller with a twist. Set in the 1800s in a non-fictional location (West Point), with a non-fictional character (Edgar Allan Poe), in a fictional situation, makes for one engrossing & original story.
A very solid performance by both Christian Bale & Harry Melling. They brought their characters into the screen so convincingly. Both their performances where a stand-out.
Who would have thought that the boy who played Dudley Dursley (Harry Melling) in the "Harry Potter" movies would turn out to be such a great actor. His performance matches that of Christian Bale throughout the movie. IMO, Melling even outshining Bale. Such is the quality of Melling's portrayal.
The narrative is well paced, and beautifully shot. The set, costumes, and the old English dialogue, suits the period perfectly, and adds to the authenticity of the movie. This movie is not only a joy to watch but also to listen to. A directorial masterpiece by Scott Cooper.
VERDICT: If you like detective thrillers with a twist, then you'll love this movie. Highly recommended.
A very solid performance by both Christian Bale & Harry Melling. They brought their characters into the screen so convincingly. Both their performances where a stand-out.
Who would have thought that the boy who played Dudley Dursley (Harry Melling) in the "Harry Potter" movies would turn out to be such a great actor. His performance matches that of Christian Bale throughout the movie. IMO, Melling even outshining Bale. Such is the quality of Melling's portrayal.
The narrative is well paced, and beautifully shot. The set, costumes, and the old English dialogue, suits the period perfectly, and adds to the authenticity of the movie. This movie is not only a joy to watch but also to listen to. A directorial masterpiece by Scott Cooper.
VERDICT: If you like detective thrillers with a twist, then you'll love this movie. Highly recommended.
An intriguing mystery thriller
steveinadelaide29 December 2022
Warning: Spoilers
THE PALE BLUE EYE is an intriguing mystery thriller set in 1830 adapted from the novel of the same name written by Louis Bayard. Directed by Scott Cooper, the film follows Detective Augustus Landor (Christian Bale) as he investigates a series of murders at the U. S. Military Academy in West Point. He is assisted by a fictionalised Edgar Allan Poe (Harry Melling), an intelligent and eager young cadet who is destined to become one of America's most influential authors and the originator of the detective genre. The film is visually stunning with a great cast and some excellent performances, especially from Bale and Melling.
The story revolves around Landor's investigation into the murders, which are all linked by the victims' hearts being removed. Through his research, he discovers a dark secret involving the academy's headmaster and some of its most prominent students. As he delves deeper into the mystery, Landor finds himself in danger as he gets closer to the truth.
The film is slowly paced and builds tension throughout as we get closer to uncovering the killer's identity. The cinematography is also stunning, and the production design is very well done. The film does an excellent job of creating an atmosphere of suspense and mystery.
The slow pacing of the story may put some viewers off, but it is worth sticking with. The performances of both Bale and Melling are outstanding, and their chemistry helps to make the movie feel real.
And a caution: Don't rush out of the cinema when you think the movie has ended. There are two "endings" and both are a surprise and the second is an excellent twist! When you see the titles scrolling, you will know the movie has ended!
The story revolves around Landor's investigation into the murders, which are all linked by the victims' hearts being removed. Through his research, he discovers a dark secret involving the academy's headmaster and some of its most prominent students. As he delves deeper into the mystery, Landor finds himself in danger as he gets closer to the truth.
The film is slowly paced and builds tension throughout as we get closer to uncovering the killer's identity. The cinematography is also stunning, and the production design is very well done. The film does an excellent job of creating an atmosphere of suspense and mystery.
The slow pacing of the story may put some viewers off, but it is worth sticking with. The performances of both Bale and Melling are outstanding, and their chemistry helps to make the movie feel real.
And a caution: Don't rush out of the cinema when you think the movie has ended. There are two "endings" and both are a surprise and the second is an excellent twist! When you see the titles scrolling, you will know the movie has ended!
Atmospheric and Well-acted, but Plot Holes?
djswvincent16 January 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I do have a soft spot for these atmospheric 19th Century pieces. The long expository conversations are appropriate to the entire genre. It harks back to the literary style of the day, which I enjoy.
That said, did I miss something? Please educate me if I did!
We find out at the end who the killer is, but a couple of things about the resolution left me scratching my head.
1. Poe's devotion to Lea. I mean, the girl was about to cut his heart out of his living body. Well, hell, that's true love, isn't it? I don't care her motivations for doing it, we should have had more compelling reason to explain why she would go through with it.
(Also, those big oak beams in those old southern houses don't burn to crumbling cinders quite that fast, particularly in a fire that small.)
2. We learn that Landor is the killer, and that Lea and Artemis couldn't POSSIBLY kill anyone, and yet, there at they end, they're about to do just that. Why now? Why weren't they desperate enough sooner? It's all just too coincidental that their time of extreme need coincides with Landor's acts. If, somehow, their need and the events behind Landor's revenge could have been more closely, even inextricably linked, maybe I'd buy it. And of all people to kill, they pick (even GROOM) Poe, who Lea loves, when they could have chosen, literally anyone? It seems love is a prime component in the ritual they're performing, and there are hints that they were grooming at least Frye for it as well. But then, wouldn't they have eventually killed Frye, too? So we're going round and round in this loop of liability and motivation that isn't satisfactorily tied up.
For me, it was a hugely disappointing ending to a film that, stylistically and character-centered, I'd really been enjoying up to that point.
That said, did I miss something? Please educate me if I did!
We find out at the end who the killer is, but a couple of things about the resolution left me scratching my head.
1. Poe's devotion to Lea. I mean, the girl was about to cut his heart out of his living body. Well, hell, that's true love, isn't it? I don't care her motivations for doing it, we should have had more compelling reason to explain why she would go through with it.
(Also, those big oak beams in those old southern houses don't burn to crumbling cinders quite that fast, particularly in a fire that small.)
2. We learn that Landor is the killer, and that Lea and Artemis couldn't POSSIBLY kill anyone, and yet, there at they end, they're about to do just that. Why now? Why weren't they desperate enough sooner? It's all just too coincidental that their time of extreme need coincides with Landor's acts. If, somehow, their need and the events behind Landor's revenge could have been more closely, even inextricably linked, maybe I'd buy it. And of all people to kill, they pick (even GROOM) Poe, who Lea loves, when they could have chosen, literally anyone? It seems love is a prime component in the ritual they're performing, and there are hints that they were grooming at least Frye for it as well. But then, wouldn't they have eventually killed Frye, too? So we're going round and round in this loop of liability and motivation that isn't satisfactorily tied up.
For me, it was a hugely disappointing ending to a film that, stylistically and character-centered, I'd really been enjoying up to that point.
Fascinating story with some of the best actings in recent years
Movie_Enthusiast_17 January 2023
This movie kept me hooked from the very beginning to the last scene. The atmosphere is mind-blowing, especially when watched during a winter night. The costumes felt very authentic and the cast did amazing job, especially Christian Bale as a detective and Harry Melling (who has become one of my favorite actors) as Edgar Allan Poe.
Another thing I must mention is the screenplay. The writers do not exaggerate the info-dumping and let the on-screen actions tell the story instead, which felt very natural. Some may complain about the runtime or the movie being boring. But although the opening is slow, it was necessary to build up the characters and establish a brilliantly twisted climax.
To me, "The Pale Blue Eye" seemed better than most other films of this genre that are being made by Hollywood these days.
Overall, I spent an enjoyable 2 hours and would recommend to anyone who is looking for a decent murder-mystery movie.
Another thing I must mention is the screenplay. The writers do not exaggerate the info-dumping and let the on-screen actions tell the story instead, which felt very natural. Some may complain about the runtime or the movie being boring. But although the opening is slow, it was necessary to build up the characters and establish a brilliantly twisted climax.
To me, "The Pale Blue Eye" seemed better than most other films of this genre that are being made by Hollywood these days.
Overall, I spent an enjoyable 2 hours and would recommend to anyone who is looking for a decent murder-mystery movie.
Slow, stagey, and utterly uninvolving
210west26 December 2022
I really wanted to like this. I've had a lifelong interest in Poe, ditto West Point, ditto mysteries in general. But wow, this film just isn't very good. It's a slow, overlong, sadly uninvolving costume drama with a bunch of good actors -- including, weirdly, a handful of familiar British stars cast as West Point brass -- looking exceedingly stiff (and not in a good military sense). Except for Poe, I found it hard to tell the various cadets apart; they all looked stern and talked in haughty, stagey-sounding accents.
To its credit, this two-hour film definitely gets livelier in its final half hour; but overall, any random episode of "Inspector Morse" is likely to be better plotted, better written, and more gripping. While I haven't read the novel the film is based on, I strongly suspect that despite its nifty premise -- "Hey, let's set a murder mystery at West Point when Poe was a cadet there!" -- it is probably, in execution, as plodding as this film.
Disappointingly, you actually get to see very little of the military academy; instead, most of the action takes place in taverns and cabins and fancy dining rooms, or in the snowy woods. Despite the lengthy run time, we never get a good sense of the geography. West Point itself looks ridiculously understaffed, as if the entire institution is run by the same three British actors! All of them strut around looking sinister and secretive and bad-tempered for no apparent reason, except, I guess, a need to make the proceedings seem more interesting.
The good news is that Christian Bale makes an appealing 19th-century detective -- he wears an air of authority and seems genuinely sympathetic and intelligent -- and Harry Melling makes a dramatic, vividly romantic young Poe. Granted, it's unlikely the real-life Poe was as mannered and eccentric as the character in the movie, who also seems a bit too old and wise beyond his years. Still, as Melling plays him, he's never less than watchable.
To its credit, this two-hour film definitely gets livelier in its final half hour; but overall, any random episode of "Inspector Morse" is likely to be better plotted, better written, and more gripping. While I haven't read the novel the film is based on, I strongly suspect that despite its nifty premise -- "Hey, let's set a murder mystery at West Point when Poe was a cadet there!" -- it is probably, in execution, as plodding as this film.
Disappointingly, you actually get to see very little of the military academy; instead, most of the action takes place in taverns and cabins and fancy dining rooms, or in the snowy woods. Despite the lengthy run time, we never get a good sense of the geography. West Point itself looks ridiculously understaffed, as if the entire institution is run by the same three British actors! All of them strut around looking sinister and secretive and bad-tempered for no apparent reason, except, I guess, a need to make the proceedings seem more interesting.
The good news is that Christian Bale makes an appealing 19th-century detective -- he wears an air of authority and seems genuinely sympathetic and intelligent -- and Harry Melling makes a dramatic, vividly romantic young Poe. Granted, it's unlikely the real-life Poe was as mannered and eccentric as the character in the movie, who also seems a bit too old and wise beyond his years. Still, as Melling plays him, he's never less than watchable.
Everything was amazing... besides the entire story
CrookedNose947 January 2023
From incredible acting to brilliant cinematography, The Pale Blue Eye has all the ingredients of a great movie... besides the story. I could spend all day praising Bale and Melling. These two were captivating enough to keep my attention for the 2hr+ run time. Unfortunately the plot twisted and twisted and twisted until all hope of a great movie were wrung dry.
Around the second act of the movie it becomes quite the snooze fest. This would have been much better as just a straight up revenge movie, rather than a long winded attempt at a mystery/thriller. There was absolutely no shock to the final reveals or twists. It was pretty disappointing to say the least, since it was marketed as a thriller.
Also, there is one CGI sequence in the movie that was so bad it made my wife and I burst out with laughter! Besides that, the rest of the movie looked aesthetically awesome and believable.
5/10 stars for the exceptional acting and cinematography.
Around the second act of the movie it becomes quite the snooze fest. This would have been much better as just a straight up revenge movie, rather than a long winded attempt at a mystery/thriller. There was absolutely no shock to the final reveals or twists. It was pretty disappointing to say the least, since it was marketed as a thriller.
Also, there is one CGI sequence in the movie that was so bad it made my wife and I burst out with laughter! Besides that, the rest of the movie looked aesthetically awesome and believable.
5/10 stars for the exceptional acting and cinematography.
An uncanny period piece that both thrills and keeps full enthralled attention.
tresm8729 December 2022
While many period pieces drag on and seem to be rather uneventful imo this product from Scott Cooper certainly delivers on holding my full attention throughout with ominous settings and suspenseful scenery. Bale is obviously a huge part of that as well with his dedicated ambition as usual for his roles. The story doesn't drag and violence is on display, something that I've seen held back on in most thriller period pieces maybe aside from Sleepy Hollow (1998). Dare I say the execution of the set pieces and costumes were much more convincing as well and gave the film more authenticity. Overall I was surprised with this film and its effectiveness.
Surprisingly brutal whodunit
masonsaul10 September 2023
The Pale Blue Eye is a whodunit of uncommon brutality with a very strong atmosphere and a slow burning mystery that definitely burns a little too slowly for the most part but is ultimately worth it for the eventual reveal that recontextualizes everything for the better.
Augustus Landor isn't in the upper echelon of Christian Bale characters but Bale remains such a magnetic actor that his performance remains ridiculously engaging. There are long stretches that don't focus on Bale and it's impressive how good Harry Melling is as an extremely theatrical version of Poe that that isn't a problem.
Scott Cooper's direction is excellent, confirming him to be one of the most underrated directors currently working. The film feels so cold and there's some very striking iconography crafted with a well chosen final shot as usual. The music by Howard Shore works so well, suitably old fashioned with a bleak and grandiose nature to it.
Augustus Landor isn't in the upper echelon of Christian Bale characters but Bale remains such a magnetic actor that his performance remains ridiculously engaging. There are long stretches that don't focus on Bale and it's impressive how good Harry Melling is as an extremely theatrical version of Poe that that isn't a problem.
Scott Cooper's direction is excellent, confirming him to be one of the most underrated directors currently working. The film feels so cold and there's some very striking iconography crafted with a well chosen final shot as usual. The music by Howard Shore works so well, suitably old fashioned with a bleak and grandiose nature to it.
Boring and messy
Phantasma_the_Black6 January 2023
The best quality about this movie is Christian Bale's standard good performance. And kudos for talented Harry Melling who portrayed Edgar Allan Poe and nailed his looks. Poor guy also obviously did the best he could do with the horrible lines he was given, but that was not enough to make his character likeable.
Yes, you read it right. They somehow managed to turn Poe, one of the most intriguing and mesmerizing figures in the history of literature, into this annoying and wimpy sidekick.
The rest of the characters are simply forgettable, with the exception of Gillian Anderson's who's even more cringe-inducing than this version of Poe. Yet another talent wasted with this mess of a script.
Story-wise, it is bad to a point that even the characters seem disinterested in the supposed big conundrum revolving around them. No one seems particularly impacted by the murder mystery, nor their personal relationships. We know that the characters (dis)like each other because we are told so, but we are shown absolutely nothing. Those little pieces of interaction between them convey zero emotion and character development.
The whole atmosphere is as dull as it gets. Not gloomy, not depressing, but monotonous like weather report. I think they were going for period piece, gothic novella and film noir at once, but it's none of it. Not even a glimpse of either of those genres. Just something that drags on for what seems like forever, and somehow still manages to omit the important pieces of information.
Still amazed how they persuaded this cast to participate in this project and honestly it is the only reason I gave it 4 stars.
Yes, you read it right. They somehow managed to turn Poe, one of the most intriguing and mesmerizing figures in the history of literature, into this annoying and wimpy sidekick.
The rest of the characters are simply forgettable, with the exception of Gillian Anderson's who's even more cringe-inducing than this version of Poe. Yet another talent wasted with this mess of a script.
Story-wise, it is bad to a point that even the characters seem disinterested in the supposed big conundrum revolving around them. No one seems particularly impacted by the murder mystery, nor their personal relationships. We know that the characters (dis)like each other because we are told so, but we are shown absolutely nothing. Those little pieces of interaction between them convey zero emotion and character development.
The whole atmosphere is as dull as it gets. Not gloomy, not depressing, but monotonous like weather report. I think they were going for period piece, gothic novella and film noir at once, but it's none of it. Not even a glimpse of either of those genres. Just something that drags on for what seems like forever, and somehow still manages to omit the important pieces of information.
Still amazed how they persuaded this cast to participate in this project and honestly it is the only reason I gave it 4 stars.
A good Netflix original with an amazing performance by Christian Bale and a decent plot twist.
fciocca10 June 2023
"The Pale Blue Eye" came out of nowhere for me. I am always extremely skeptical about Netflix, considering the disaster that they made in terms of productions in the last few years, but I just cannot say no to a Christian Bale movie. I mean, the guy stole the scene as always, but also the rest of the cast was competent and could keep the beat. Landor is a retired detective that had a wonderful career, bringing to justice many dangerous criminals and he is called by the American Military Academy to investigate a young cadet murder. The plot is intriguing and it kept me glued to the screen. The director slowly reveals all the details of this crime, by maintaining the typical giallo narrative structure. There is even a decent plot twist at the very end, that could be predicted halfway through, and I never read the original novel, so I did not know anything about the story.
I really liked the photography, I think that matched perfectly with the dark mood of the plot. There are some beautifully conceived shots: I liked the locations, being able to see the vast nature of the New York countryside region, during wintertime. The old wooden buildings, the small and familiar interiors of a cottage or of a bar, lit just by just candles is something that I enjoyed very much. I liked this slow-paced detective story: the editing is old-style and it is particularly well made. The camera focuses on certain details, providing the point of view of the detective. The dialogues are intense and well played. Though, the movie drags a bit at the end and I would have cut a few scenes in the last 30 minutes. Aside from that, it is a solid production that deserves a 7 out of 10 stars.
I really liked the photography, I think that matched perfectly with the dark mood of the plot. There are some beautifully conceived shots: I liked the locations, being able to see the vast nature of the New York countryside region, during wintertime. The old wooden buildings, the small and familiar interiors of a cottage or of a bar, lit just by just candles is something that I enjoyed very much. I liked this slow-paced detective story: the editing is old-style and it is particularly well made. The camera focuses on certain details, providing the point of view of the detective. The dialogues are intense and well played. Though, the movie drags a bit at the end and I would have cut a few scenes in the last 30 minutes. Aside from that, it is a solid production that deserves a 7 out of 10 stars.
Slowly paced with good imagery
horancoffey6 January 2023
Without reading the book that it was adapted from, I can tell this was probably better to read than watch. I say this, mainly, because the gothic atmosphere was just enough. But I wanted more. I wanted to feel the dread that the setting and narrative eludes to. That feeling would come and go. Perhaps that had to do with the pacing, which matched the icy, winter setting. Though slow, it gave me the time to take in visual aspects of this film. I believe that's one of the strengths that it has. Harry Melling's abnormally sunken features played a role in the uneasiness I felt as viewer. I really wanted more of Poe's works, especially from the Tell-Tale Heart, to play a role alongside Bale and Melling. I was excited to hear that heart beating under the floorboard. But it never came.
Bale is Great as usual
Blumanowar7 January 2023
The real critics were a bit hard on this one. It's great acting and while horror may not be this directors accomplished art yet, it's so much better than most horror movies I watch. So I liked it alit. Great entertainment for even the most discerning viewer. But I don't read the reviews on here anymore, only the real critics. Why would I want to hear some uneducated schmuck or film school tell me what to watch when I've watched 1000s and 1000s of movies. You should skip them too, mine too if your reading this. The real critics were a bit hard on this one. It's great acting and while horror may not be this directors accomplished art yet, it's so much better than most horror movies I watch. So I liked it alit. Great entertainment for even the most discerning viewer. But I don't read the reviews on here anymore, only the real critics. Why would I want to hear some uneducated schmuck or film school tell me what to watch when I've watched 1000s and 1000s of movies. You should skip them too, mine too if your reading this.
Thou can not handleth the truth
zeki-46 January 2023
Eat your heart out, Hercule Poirot and Benoit Blanc. Here comes Edgar.
This moodpiece was a positive surprise. It shouldn't have been. Because I have become very fond of Scott Coopers work. 'Crazy Heart' (2009), 'Out of the Furnace' (2013) and 'Hostiles' (2017) were all very, very well-written dramas, with plenty of emotional beats. Hence it would have been more of a surprise if 'The Pale Blue Eye' wasn't, too: a well-written drama. If you are expecting a on-the-edge-of-your-seat thriller, this ain't it!
It does have a high production value, a great script and phenomenal acting by the cast, though. Harry Melling gives an Oscar-worthy performance portraying famous poet, Edgar Allan Poe, who assists the protagonist played by Christian Bale, solving a murder mystery in a military academy 200 years ago.
This moodpiece was a positive surprise. It shouldn't have been. Because I have become very fond of Scott Coopers work. 'Crazy Heart' (2009), 'Out of the Furnace' (2013) and 'Hostiles' (2017) were all very, very well-written dramas, with plenty of emotional beats. Hence it would have been more of a surprise if 'The Pale Blue Eye' wasn't, too: a well-written drama. If you are expecting a on-the-edge-of-your-seat thriller, this ain't it!
It does have a high production value, a great script and phenomenal acting by the cast, though. Harry Melling gives an Oscar-worthy performance portraying famous poet, Edgar Allan Poe, who assists the protagonist played by Christian Bale, solving a murder mystery in a military academy 200 years ago.
Stop complaining about the length of the movies and enjoy the story!
Movie_Rating_n_Ranking7 January 2023
The story of a movie is definitely the most important thing in all its factors and elements. If a story is well used, everything will depend on the director to obtain a final product worthy of being remembered outside the year of release. This movie has a wonderful story. It is a period mystery that gives us the participation of a popular real writer as one of the key pieces within the pavilion of fictional characters. Mystery, drama, thriller carried out impeccably by a luxury cast. Christian Bale and Harry Melling are extraordinary. The photography is very well done, taking advantage of the elements of the time portrayed. Excellent setting and visual and special effects.
A great movie that gives 2023 a very good start.
A great movie that gives 2023 a very good start.
Cooper's love of his own script sabotages his direction.
msghall7 January 2023
This is becoming all too common in the Netflix era. Directors who write their own script too often become enamored of their own words to the point where the words overwhelm the plot, inhibiting the viewers' ability to follow along. Too often during this otherwise solid endeavor, director Cooper's copious verbiage all but obliterates the pacing. I spent far too much time rewinding because my mind wandered during the dull, oftentimes unrelated dialog.
Saying that, Bale is magnificent, as is Melling as Poe. The rest of the cast is fine, too, with the surprising exception of the usually reliable Gillian Anderson, whose overacting almost reaches mockery.
This overlong movie could be edited down, cutting out at least 20 minutes of dialog, making this a taut, original thriller. But Cooper's ego trips him up.
Saying that, Bale is magnificent, as is Melling as Poe. The rest of the cast is fine, too, with the surprising exception of the usually reliable Gillian Anderson, whose overacting almost reaches mockery.
This overlong movie could be edited down, cutting out at least 20 minutes of dialog, making this a taut, original thriller. But Cooper's ego trips him up.
Surprised by wasted potential
Howling_at_the_Moon_Reviews10 January 2023
While this movie landed at a solid "fine" in the grand scheme of things... for me, I was quite disappointed with a good bit of it when really examined.
As the story opened and the mysterious happenings are introduced it is quite interesting and engaging, but after that it slows wayyy down and looses a lot of its intrigue. The plot standing alone was really not all that exciting or original but the movie managed to keep your attention for the most part and was nicely atmospheric. It felt like it was coming to a close with 30 minutes left and then you are presented with a turn of events that is presented in the form of a drawn out monologue, that while delivered well by the actor of Poe, was quite disappointing as far as a viewer goes... felt a tad lazy.
The actor that played Poe did an excellent job. It felt real and down to earth while keeping that eerie quirkyness. Christian Bale also did a good job but I don't think he had much to work with. There were no real complaints all around as far as acting went.
I think this ended up being moderately successful while also squandering a good amount of potential. The story felt a tad convoluted while also at its core really not having all that much to it. I would recommend, but know that you're not sitting down to a masterpiece.
As the story opened and the mysterious happenings are introduced it is quite interesting and engaging, but after that it slows wayyy down and looses a lot of its intrigue. The plot standing alone was really not all that exciting or original but the movie managed to keep your attention for the most part and was nicely atmospheric. It felt like it was coming to a close with 30 minutes left and then you are presented with a turn of events that is presented in the form of a drawn out monologue, that while delivered well by the actor of Poe, was quite disappointing as far as a viewer goes... felt a tad lazy.
The actor that played Poe did an excellent job. It felt real and down to earth while keeping that eerie quirkyness. Christian Bale also did a good job but I don't think he had much to work with. There were no real complaints all around as far as acting went.
I think this ended up being moderately successful while also squandering a good amount of potential. The story felt a tad convoluted while also at its core really not having all that much to it. I would recommend, but know that you're not sitting down to a masterpiece.
A thrilling thriller that brings a classic back to life.
GusherPop7 January 2023
Warning: Spoilers
One thing a movie watcher might not be looking for during the actual bleak midwinter is more bleak midwinter on the screen. Full disclosure: "The Pale Blue Eye," written and directed by Scott Cooper and starring his frequent collaborator Christian Bale, set in New York's more-rugged-than-today Hudson Valley in 1830, is thoroughly suffused with bleak mid-winterness. Masanobu Takayanagi's cinematography sometimes reproduces a gorgeous kind of grayscale, broken up by flashes of blue water and the blue uniforms of the cadets of the West Point Military Academy, the then-fledgling institution at which much of the story's action is set. The chilliness fits the story of course. At the Academy, a cadet, named Fry, is discovered not just dead-by hanging, it is first presumed-but with his heart cut out. The extremely spooked overseers of the school, fearful of scandal that might strike a death blow to the place, enlist a retired lawman to investigate. This cadet is one Edgar Allan Poe, a sensitive outcast among militaristic braggarts and of course a future poet himself. This also sets up a challenge for the movie: how to deliver a solution that not only makes sense but also honors the captivating cruelty of the crimes committed. And amazingly, the film's finale is a genuine hoot - totally unexpected yet expertly sold through the clever deployment of information. Unlike a lot of mysteries that are designed to be unsolvable by an audience (which is a valid approach; remember, Arthur Conan Doyle never gave us all the necessary clues, either), The Pale Blue Eye shows us everything we need to figure it all out and still manages to pull the rug out from under us. Even so, what ultimately resonates are the picture's surprisingly moving central relationship and its vivid setting. Ultimately, it's all pretty gripping, not just because of Bale and Melling and the heady atmosphere but because the crimes being investigated are savage on a downright existential level. The murders are monstrous enough to capture the imagination, and Cooper makes sure to prod us along by dwelling on the pasty, swollen corpses; the grotesque, coagulated wounds; the fingers stiff with rigor mortis being cracked on autopsy tables.
It's a very fine plan
olcayozfirat2 February 2023
2022 thriller movie. In 1830, one of the students was found hanged in a military school. The area's top detective is called in to investigate whether it was a suicide or murder. As the research continues, another mysterious death occurs. The detective will be assisted by the young poet Edgar Allen Poe, who is also a student at this school and has a very unusual personality. The film has an intriguing subject, great acting and an impressive conclusion. Musics is great. Christian Bale is outstanding as always.
One of the best movies I've seen on Netflix.
There is no sex or nudity in the movie.
One of the best movies I've seen on Netflix.
There is no sex or nudity in the movie.
I wanted to love this but
egishno-597537 January 2023
Nowhere near the potential in the concept. Christian Bale was good but the story line fell flat. Very drawn out and boring in my opinion. I waited months for this one and was very disappointed. I won't be recommending this one even though it filmed in my locality. Very predictable except for the ending that was also anticlimactic. Just didn't live up to my expectations maybe? I don't know. Judge for yourself. I'm no expert but was expecting so much from the previews and advertising. I also knew of the local hype for filming so this one was close to home. On a bright side there was some great scenery and cinematography!
Good Cast...Slow Burn...Slowly Falling Snow...Frozen Film Thaws Occasionally
LeonLouisRicci27 June 2023
Relentlessly Cold Atmosphere Void of Color.
Sepia-Tones its Way Through a Slog of Story-Telling Narrated by Whispering Thespians Playing Famous with E. A. Poe, West Point, and a Gothic Gore-Less Grind.
About Half the World of Modern Cinephiles will "Bail" in the First-30-Minutes Citing "Bored"...
Do these 21 Century Knee-Jerks know any other pejoratives. Oh Yea They Do!... SLOW
The Other Half that Still Have the Virtue of Patience and May Find this Somewhat Different and Captivating.
One of the 10 Best Actors Working Today...Christian Bale...Brings His "B-Game" to this B-Movie (its Netflix after all), and Most Netflix Movies, No Matter How Well Funded, Tend to View and Feel Like Fancy B-Movies.
How This Happens is a Mystery that Other Streaming Services Fall Prey as Well.
The Most Interesting Factor, that is the Draw Herein, is the "Real-Life" Troubled Poet and Short-Story Icon...Edgar Allan Poe...
Fleshed Out of "Real-Death", and is Resurrected to Perform Fictionally (although he did briefly attend West Point), to the Delight of His Many Devotees, as a Detective Helping Bale as "Landor", Famous in the Story as a "Solver" of Mysteries.
Poe Does, with Landor's Help, Solve the Murderous-Mutilations, and Then-Some, that is the Basis for the 2nd Ending and a "Twist".
For the Aforementioned "Patient" Movie-Goers, it's a Tale that's...
Worth a Watch.
Sepia-Tones its Way Through a Slog of Story-Telling Narrated by Whispering Thespians Playing Famous with E. A. Poe, West Point, and a Gothic Gore-Less Grind.
About Half the World of Modern Cinephiles will "Bail" in the First-30-Minutes Citing "Bored"...
Do these 21 Century Knee-Jerks know any other pejoratives. Oh Yea They Do!... SLOW
The Other Half that Still Have the Virtue of Patience and May Find this Somewhat Different and Captivating.
One of the 10 Best Actors Working Today...Christian Bale...Brings His "B-Game" to this B-Movie (its Netflix after all), and Most Netflix Movies, No Matter How Well Funded, Tend to View and Feel Like Fancy B-Movies.
How This Happens is a Mystery that Other Streaming Services Fall Prey as Well.
The Most Interesting Factor, that is the Draw Herein, is the "Real-Life" Troubled Poet and Short-Story Icon...Edgar Allan Poe...
Fleshed Out of "Real-Death", and is Resurrected to Perform Fictionally (although he did briefly attend West Point), to the Delight of His Many Devotees, as a Detective Helping Bale as "Landor", Famous in the Story as a "Solver" of Mysteries.
Poe Does, with Landor's Help, Solve the Murderous-Mutilations, and Then-Some, that is the Basis for the 2nd Ending and a "Twist".
For the Aforementioned "Patient" Movie-Goers, it's a Tale that's...
Worth a Watch.
Heavy atmosphere with perfect tech credits
norbert-plan-618-71581318 March 2023
Everything is perfect in this product: the cast, the technical elements (photography, sets, costumes, etc.) but also the dramatic framework of this investigation that turns out to be more complex than the beginning of the film suggests.
With a heavy climate of winter and autumn (big work on the photography) that gives an atmosphere to the film, an identity, almost unreal, that goes with the conclusion of the film.
The addition of Harry Melling in the role of Edgar Allan Poe allows to add elements to the plot, not necessarily irrational, but convolutions that give the flavor of this story.
However, we remain hungry, because the rational and primary side of our investigator Christian Bale will finally reveal things related to the irrational mixed with real concreteness (everything related to his wife). This discovery of the culprits of the murders is not a surprise, but leaves us wanting more.
Nevertheless Scott Cooper is gifted to paint atmospheres, coherent and dense universes.
With a heavy climate of winter and autumn (big work on the photography) that gives an atmosphere to the film, an identity, almost unreal, that goes with the conclusion of the film.
The addition of Harry Melling in the role of Edgar Allan Poe allows to add elements to the plot, not necessarily irrational, but convolutions that give the flavor of this story.
However, we remain hungry, because the rational and primary side of our investigator Christian Bale will finally reveal things related to the irrational mixed with real concreteness (everything related to his wife). This discovery of the culprits of the murders is not a surprise, but leaves us wanting more.
Nevertheless Scott Cooper is gifted to paint atmospheres, coherent and dense universes.
See also
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