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Birds of a Feather: Six Other Revenge Movies for Fans of ‘The Crow’

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Today marks the 25th Anniversary of one of the greatest comic book films ever made – Alex Proyas’ 1994 horror-tinged action/revenge fantasy The Crow.

Based upon James O’Barr’s gorgeous, moody graphic novel, The Crow tells the story of Eric Draven, a rock musician murdered by a vicious band of thugs along with his fiancée Shelly on the night before their wedding. One year later, a supernatural crow resurrects Eric to “put the wrong things right,” turning him into a nigh-unstoppable force while guiding him on a mission of revenge as he tracks and executes anyone who had a hand in his and Shelly’s deaths.

With its stunning visuals, triple-platinum alternative soundtrack, and the urban gothic romance at the core of its story, The Crow has resonated with fans for nearly three decades. To help celebrate its anniversary, Bloody Disgusting has compiled a list of Crow-friendly cinema to watch alongside this modern classic. That’s right – if you can’t bring yourself to check out the sequels even once more, and you’ve given up all hope that you’ll be watching the long-mooted remake anytime soon, try giving these similar slices of cinema a shot alongside the original.


Avenged

A young deaf woman named Zoe is raped and murdered by a pack of evil rednecks, only to be brought back to life by an elderly Native American and possessed by the vengeful spirit of an Apache chief hellbent on killing the descendant of the man responsible for his death – a man who also happens to be one of Zoe’s attackers. With no small amount of brutality on display, Avenged will satisfy fans who have always wanted to see a female Crow lead onscreen.


Dead Man

Johnny Depp stars as William Blake, a man sought by bounty hunters for the murder of the man who killed his lover and sent a bullet into his chest – a bullet lodged right next to his heart, making him the walking “dead man” of the film’s title. Accompanied by his newly acquired Native American pal Nobody, Blake paints his face in a fallen fawn’s blood and traverses the film’s Western landscape, becoming an adept killer as he makes his way to the ocean to enter the Spirit World which awaits him. A haunting, elegiac Western filmed in gorgeous black and white, Jim Jarmusch’s Dead Man is essential viewing for Crow fans who appreciate the hallucinatory, monochromatic visions of James O’Barr’s original graphic novel. (Bonus points: The Crow’s Top Dollar Michael Wincott appears as one of the deranged bounty hunters on Blake’s trail).


Dracula Untold

In this 2014 film, witness a handsome, raven-haired, brooding undead antihero imbued with supernatural powers seeking revenge after tragically losing the love of his life. With its gorgeous photography, beautiful score and gothic atmosphere, this prequel/retelling of the Dracula legend seemed geared directly toward the sorts of viewers who adore The Crow. It’s worth noting that this film’s Dracula, Welsh actor Luke Evans, was at one time cast to play Eric Draven in the still-unrealized Crow remake.


El Muerto: The Dead One

This 2007 comic book adaptation featured “That ‘70s” Show” star Wilmer Valderrama as Diego, a young man murdered and returned to life by the Aztec god of death. Boasting black and white face paint, Diego sets about on his mission to carry out sacrificial murders for his god, until his work puts at risk the life of the woman he loves. With its painted-up undead hero, supernatural plot, doomed romance and comic book origins, El Muerto should provide an enjoyable enough diversion for Crow fans.


Spawn

In this much maligned 1997 film adaptation of Todd McFarlane’s long-running comic book, black ops agent Al Simmons is murdered by his superiors, only to be resurrected by Malebolgia (think Satan) to act as Hell’s emissary on Earth. Instead, Simmons attempts to reconnect with his wife, then elects to use his hellish powers for good as a dark superhero of sorts. Awash in a blend of gothic imagery and comic book sensibilities that Crow fans should appreciate, this ultimately campy film has its charms, even if it’s rarely successful throughout its runtime. A fun enough flick, but here’s hoping the upcoming Blumhouse reboot nails the original comic’s dark, gritty tone better than this misfire did.


The Wraith

This 1986 actioner stars Charlie Sheen as the titular, back-from-the-dead badass who drives an otherworldly Dodge Turbo Interceptor to hunt down the gang of sleazy criminals who murdered him in his previous life. 80s music, Sherilyn Fenn, and lots of cool car chases collide in a film that is more than a little reminiscent of The Crow in story, if not at all in style.

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’28 Years Later’ – Ralph Fiennes, Jodie Comer, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson Join Long Awaited Sequel

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28 Days Later, Ralph Fiennes in the Menu
Pictured: Ralph Fiennes in 'The Menu'

Danny Boyle and Alex Garland (AnnihilationMen), the director and writer behind 2002’s hit horror film 28 Days Later, are reteaming for the long-awaited sequel, 28 Years Later. THR reports that the sequel has cast Jodie Comer (Alone in the Dark, “Killing Eve”), Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Kraven the Hunter), and Ralph Fiennes (The Menu).

The plan is for Garland to write 28 Years Later and Boyle to direct, with Garland also planning on writing at least one more sequel to the franchise – director Nia DaCosta is currently in talks to helm the second installment.

No word on plot details as of this time, or who Comer, Taylor-Johnson, and Fiennes may play.

28 Days Later received a follow up in 2007 with 28 Weeks Later, which was executive produced by Boyle and Garland but directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo. Now, the pair hope to launch a new trilogy with 28 Years Later. The plan is for Garland to write all three entries, with Boyle helming the first installment.

Boyle and Garland will also produce alongside original producer Andrew Macdonald and Peter Rice, the former head of Fox Searchlight Pictures, the division of one-time studio Twentieth Century Fox that originally backed the British-made movie and its sequel.

The original film starred Cillian Murphy “as a man who wakes up from a coma after a bicycle accident to find England now a desolate, post-apocalyptic collapse, thanks to a virus that turned its victims into raging killers. The man then navigates the landscape, meeting a survivor played by Naomie Harris and a maniacal army major, played by Christopher Eccleston.”

Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer) is on board as executive producer, though the actor isn’t set to appear in the film…yet.

Talks of a third installment in the franchise have been coming and going for the last several years now – at one point, it was going to be titled 28 Months Later – but it looks like this one is finally getting off the ground here in 2024 thanks to this casting news. Stay tuned for more updates soon!

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