10 Gritty, Brooding Revenge Movies If You Love The Crow

Both versions of The Crow Focus on the origin story of Eric Draven. He is a man who rises from the dead to take his revenge, similar to the many other revenge movies that follow this formula. The 2024 The Crow Is not a remake of the original but expands on the story laid out by the comic book series. Source material vi The comic book serves as inspiration for the budding revenge films in this niche. While stories of revenge have been popular since the beginning of the film, The Crow Exemplifies what the genre does best.

It stands apart because of how dark and gritty the action and aesthetic of the project are. However, nothing about each version of The Crow Is flat or bland, as even in the fickle palate, it remains dynamic. The biggest differences between The Crow 2024 and the original movie are part of the reason that the latest adaptation of the beloved comic book is not so popular. Although there are many ways that revenge narratives can play out on screen, Most begin with the protagonist experiencing a loss as Eric does and then rising from the ashes.

10

Darkman (1990)

Directed by Sam Raimi

Although the director of DarkmanSam Raimi, made his name making the campy cult classic Evil Dead Kino, he branched out with the revenge thriller Darkman in 1990. Starring a young Liam Neeson as Dr. Peyton Westlake, AKA Darkman, The movie follows the doctor’s journey for revenge after a corrupt real estate developer destroys his life because he found sensitive information. Frances McDormand plays Julie, Westlake’s love interest, who he tries to get back to so they can rebuild their lives together.

There are similarities between the latter Deadpool Movies and DarkmanHow both protagonists have their skin and appearance changed through torture and explosions, making it difficult for them to reunite with the women they love. however, The project is closer in tone to The Crow, As Westlake is practically brought back from the dead after his attack, he succumbs to despair as Eric does. Although Darkman Is not based on a comic like The CrowIt’s still in conversation with the same pulp aesthetic and gritty superhero genre.

9

death wish (2018)

Directed by Eli Roth

Bruce Willis directs the 2018 remake Death wishA 1974 film of the same name that sparked controversy at the time of its release for the vigilante narrative it perpetuated. In the 2018 version, Willis stars as Paul Kersey, a man who steps outside the law after his family is attacked in their home. Feeling frustrated and unprepared, Paul trains himself to use firearms and begins to intervene in every crime he spots on the streets of Chicago.

Although Death wish was not a hit with critics or at the box office, It can be described as a modernized and more political version of The Crow. The 2018 iteration of Death wish is not as tragic and overtly violent as the original, opting for a more clean and polished take on the action genre. While Paul is not as compelling a protagonist as Eric and Death wish Is not as visually innovative as The CrowIt’s an interesting exercise for Willis. It explores the moral and cultural implications of vigilantism.

8

I Saw The Devil (2010)

Directed by Kim Jee-won

I saw the devil is so gory and intense for an action thriller that the movie comes close to the territory of the horror genre during its action-packed runtime. Lee Byung-hun stars as Kim Soo-hyeon, An NIS agent who tracked down the ruthless serial killer who murdered his fiancee. The killer, Jang Kyung-chul, played by Choi Min-sik in a truly chilling performance, is slowly tortured and followed by Soo-hyeon, who vows to make Kyung-chul pay and suffer as much as his victims.

Although The Crow is violent and graphic from start to finish, I saw the devil Is not for the faint-hearted, as the depictions of attacks and assaults are unrelenting Throughout the film. It’s hard not to be overwhelmed by the intensity of the movie and shocked at the level of cruelty shown on screen. however, I saw the devil Lean into the tone and force the audience to come to terms with their own position as the viewer during the story.

7

John Wick (2014)

Directed by Chad Stahelski

John Wick is one of the movies that defined Keanu Reeves’ career, because the actor is almost better known for his performance as the titular character than he is for his other great works. While The matrix is Reeves’ first foray into a major action franchise, John Wick remains one of the greatest and most well-crafted works of action in film history. Each successive film ups the ante and increases both the tension and the abilities of its characters. however, The first movie in the universe will always be a classic and the most nostalgic of the films.

In the wake of his wife’s death, the titular character, John Wick, is accosted by a group of Russian mobsters who then kill his puppy. Already sad, this fight inspires John, who is revealed to be a former hitman and one of the most formidable killers known to the organized crime underworld. John Wick Has been compared to video games due to the way action sequences are shot and its highly dynamic cinematography and lighting. This is comparable to this path The Crow Draws inspiration from his comic book source material and the superhero genre.

6

The Count of Monte Cristo (2002)

Directed by Kevin Reynolds

A modern period piece may not seem like it The Count of Monte Cristo Can’t immediately draw comparisons to a dark comic book adaptation like The CrowBut they have more in common than viewers might imagine. Starring Jim Caviezel alongside Guy Pearce and a young Henry Cavill, there is much to recommend this sweeping epic of revenge, The Count of Monte Cristo. Based on the 19th-century novel of the same name by Alexandre Dumas, the film spans generations and watches Edmond Dantes (Caviezel) recover his lover and his fortune.

After being betrayed by Fernand (Pearce), a man he considered a friend, Dantès is isolated in an island prison for years until he escapes and assumes a new identity to take his revenge on Fernand. Although there is not quite as much violence and action in it The Count of Monte Cristo as in The CrowThere are still fantastic action scenes and a thrilling showdown between Dantès and Fernand. However, Dantès takes his time plotting his revenge, slowly rebuilding his life and destroying Fernand in the most satisfying fashion.

5

The Equalizer (2014)

Directed by Antoine Fuqua

Denzel Washington reinvigorated his action career with The equalizer in 2014, And the two sequels have cemented the franchise as one of the most thrilling and compelling action universes of the last few years. Although The equalizer Receiving mediocre reviews from critics, it was a smash at the box office and was praised for its visual style and action choreography. Although Washington’s character, Robert, is not romantically involved with the woman for whom he seeks revenge, he is just as motivated to help her as Eric is to take revenge on Shelly, his fiancee.

Although not as visually innovative and cohesive as The Crow, The equalizer Still falls in line with the gritty and dark cinematography that defined the action genre in the 2010s. Due to its potential for sequels, The equalizer Ends happier for Robert Wie The Crow do for eric, How he finds a new lease on life to start helping more people. However, his altruistic intentions don’t stop him from being just as deadly as Eric and finding creative ways to subdue his opponents.

4

Old Boy (2003)

Directed by Park Chan-wook

Often described as one of the best revenge movies of all time, Oldboy Defines filmmaker Park Chan-wook’s style and ability and seamlessly combines the revenge and action genres. Oldboy is a relentless and brutal investigation of what happens to a person’s psyche after imprisonment. Following parallel trajectories of pain, lost love, and the vindictive actions of a ruthless villain, Oldboy And The Crow have much in common. Both protagonists turn their bodies into weapons and hunt down the people who turned their lives upside down.

With Choi Min-Sik as Oh Dae-Su, Oldboy Hinges on Choi’s performance, and he delivers every step of the way As Dae-soo falls deeper into a twisting conspiracy. Dae-soo, held against his will for years, must work to uncover the identity of his captors and the reason he was isolated in just five days, or he will be killed. The stages of both Oldboy And The Crow Zoom in on the films, and it’s impossible not to feel the tragedy of Eric and Dae-su as their happiness is destroyed.

3

Taken (2008)

Directed by Pierre Morel

Taken And its subsequent sequels can be credited with bringing Liam Neeson into the action genre and establishing a new type of revenge thriller in the 21st century. Although other films inspired the work, Taken Was influential in the niche of government agents went rogue and took the law into their own hands to save their loved ones. Taken Follows Neeson’s character, Brian, on a quest across Europe that leads him to the darkest corners of the black market after his daughter is kidnapped.

Like Eric, Brian is driven by his need to save his daughter and exact his revenge on her kidnappers. However, since his daughter, Kim, is still alive, this raises the stakes and puts a ticking clock on the movie, leaving viewers anxious to find out if Brian will save Kim and make it out alive. Although Eric has nothing to lose and acts accordingly through his violent nature, Brian is just as ruthless in his pursuit of Kim, And the action sequences in Taken are part of the reason the film was such a box office success.

2

Unforgiven (1992)

Directed by Clint Eastwood

Of all Clint Eastwood’s projects, Unforgiven is widely considered his magnum opus, as the classic Western star both directed and starred in the film. Unforgiven is Eastwood’s love letter and withering critique of the Western genre Together in one brilliantly crafted project that sees a gunslinger well past his prime take on one last challenge against a man even worse than he was. The villain of the piece, Little Bill Daggett, played by the great Gene Hackman, goes down in history as one of the best antagonists in a Western movie.

Many westerns fall into the revenge genre, and while Unforgiven Can’t have much in common with The Crow On paper, the morally ambiguous yet heroic archetype of Eric Draven is cut from the same cloth as Will Manny. Both Manny and Draven have lost the love of their lives and are looking for something to keep them going, Return to the violence of their past to do something good for the future. like The CrowThere are few characters that are worth redeeming in UnforgivenBut that makes them all the more compelling to watch.

1

Gone Girl (2014)

Directed by David Fincher

There are few monologues in film history as memorable as the “cool girl monologue” delivered by Rosamund Pike as Amy Dunne in Gone girl. Pike and Ben Affleck are at their best as two sides of the same coin in the twisting revenge thriller Based on Gillian Flynn’s novel of the same name. After Amy discovers that Nick (Affleck) is cheating on her, she faces her death and frames him for it, hitting the road and never looking back. However, Amy hits quite a few snags in her new life, and Nick isn’t ready to go down without a fight.

Similarly to The Crow, Gone girl Sees a marriage damaged irreparably, but in Gone girlThere are no external forces that prevent them from being together. Although Amy seems like the more vindictive member of the pair, it soon becomes clear that Nick is just as damaged as she is, and They are both willing to do terrible things to each other. Watching Gone girl Unfolding and realizing how complex their relationship really is makes this movie a delightful puzzle that leaves the audience on the edge of their seats.