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.