Cast
View All
Christian Bale
as Augustus Landor
Harry Melling
as Edgar Allan Poe
Lucy Boynton
as Lea Marquis
Toby Jones
as Dr. Daniel Marquis
Simon McBurney
as Captain Hitchcock
Timothy Spall
as Superintendent Thayer
Robert Duvall
as Jean-Pepe
Harry Lawtey
as Artemus Marquis
Gillian Anderson
as Julia Marquis
Charlotte Gainsbourg
as Patsy
Hadley Robinson
as Mattie
Fred Hechinger
as Cadet Randolph Ballinger
Joseph Brooks
as Cadet Stoddard
Steven Maier
as Cadet Fry
Brennan Keel Cook
as Cadet Huntoon
Crew
Director
- Scott Cooper
Writer
- Scott Cooper
Producer
- Christian Bale
- Scott Cooper
- John Lesher
- Tyler Thompson
Reviews
Nathan
The Pale Blue Eye had great performances, fantastic cinematography, and a decent story but fails in terms of pacing and a bloated runtime that did not feel warranted.
Christian Bale is fantastic in this role. He is incredibly intense, being able to capture the seriousness of his detective work balanced with the emotions of his unfortunate tragedies in life. A performance of this caliber is expected of Bale, but what was a surprise is the standout performance of Harry Melling. Melling was whimsical and tad odd with his portrayal of the famous Edgar Allen Poe. He legitimately stole every scene he was, including the ones with Bale.
The film was quite long and drawn out. The beginning act did fine as the audience is still learning the world and the crimes committed. But after that wears off it begins to drag going into a climatic third act. A lot of this bloat could have been cut down to create a better viewing experience. That being said, I did enjoy the story of this film. It was engaging and had some twists that I think worked pretty well, although the ending did leave me with a few questions.
Score: 61%
Verdict: Decent
Feb 1, 2023
Thematic Analysis
This Thriller/Crime/Horror/Mystery film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. The Pale Blue Eye presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological terror rather than relying on typical jump scares.
Director Scott Cooper brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2022, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of The Pale Blue Eye took approximately 19 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $72.0 million, the film represented a significant investment in bringing this story to the screen.
- The final cut of the film runs for 128 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 154 minutes long.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 6 weeks before filming began.
- The costume department created over 203 unique costume pieces for the production.
- The film contains approximately 1305 individual shots.
Historical Context
- In 2022, when this film is released:
- The COVID-19 pandemic transformed global health, economics, and social interaction.
- Artificial intelligence was becoming increasingly integrated into daily life and creative industries.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While The Pale Blue Eye shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Out of the Past, which focuses more on action than character development, The Pale Blue Eye offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like Contact and The Shining explore similar territory, The Pale Blue Eye stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: December 22, 2022
- Runtime: 2h 8m
- Budget: $72,000,000
Where to Watch
