Bill Skarsgård’s ‘The Crow,’ a reinterpretation of the 1989 comic book series, has premiered and sparked conversations. This dark and brooding film, with its early 2000s emo aesthetic, takes us on Eric Draven’s quest for vengeance after the murder of his beloved Shelly. For those who find themselves wanting more after ‘The Crow,’ here are three films that offer similar thrills and chills.
Underworld (2003)
: This urban fantasy, starring Kate Beckinsale, immediately comes to mind while watching ‘The Crow.’ Beckinsale plays Selene, a vampire hunter who finds herself entangled with a human, Michael, after he’s bitten by a lycan. The film prioritizes style over substance, creating a gothic, leather-clad, and gloomy atmosphere that influenced future urban fantasy films. While not a blockbuster, ‘Underworld’ spawned a series, showcasing the captivating lore between vampires and lycans. Beckinsale delivers a powerful performance, making this a must-watch. You can rent or purchase ‘Underworld’ on Amazon and other digital vendors.
Hellboy (2004)
: Directed by horror maestro Guillermo del Toro, this live-action adaptation of the Dark Horse Comics character features cult icon Ron Perlman as Hellboy, a demon turned investigator. His mission? To fight a resurrected sorcerer seeking to unleash the apocalypse. Visually stunning and narratively engaging, ‘Hellboy’ is a testament to del Toro’s passion for the source material. He expertly crafts a devilish world, showcasing his love for horror and monsters, and delivers one of the best comic book adaptations of the 2000s. ‘Hellboy’ is available to stream on PlutoTV.
Villains (2019)
: If you enjoyed Skarsgård’s portrayal of Eric in ‘The Crow,’ then you’ll love ‘Villains,’ a dark comedy horror film. Skarsgård stars alongside horror queen Maika Monroe in a story about two inept lovers who break into a manor after a botched convenience store robbery. They soon discover disturbing secrets hidden within the home. ‘Villains’ thrives on the chemistry between Skarsgård and Monroe, who portray a silly yet endearing couple with a sweet and funny dynamic. Skarsgård shines as Mickey, a lovable but incompetent buffoon who would do anything for his girl. Essentially a rom-com disguised as a horror comedy, ‘Villains’ is a lighter option after the intensity of ‘The Crow.’ It’s available to stream on Tubi.
