Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Tell-tale Poe thriller has heavy gore, drinking.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 18+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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The Raven
What's the Story?
In 1849 Baltimore, Edgar Allan Poe (John Cusack) has run out of stories and is now writing bitter criticisms for the newspaper, mainly to pay for his drinking. Fortunately, he has met Emily (Alice Eve) and is finally on the verge of happiness. Unfortunately, a serial killer has emerged, leaving a trail of bodies that echo the creative murders in Poe's dark stories. Police Detective Fields (Luke Evans) enlists Poe to help catch the fiend -- whose next crime is "The Premature Burial," with Emily as the victim. Can Poe and Fields rescue her before time runs out? What price will Poe pay?
Is It Any Good?
James McTeigue -- of V for Vendetta fame -- directs THE RAVEN with an eye mostly on art direction: wet cobblestone streets and foggy woods, as well as the occasional raven dotting the landscape. He adds tremendous amounts of gore, despite the fact that gore isn't really what drove Poe's original tales. And even if the story itself isn't particularly Poe-like, Poe is a great character, and even if the mystery isn't exactly brilliant, it's perfectly serviceable.
The Raven's biggest problem is that the ranting, tormented Poe in the movie's first half is more fun than the heroic Poe of the second half. Cusack is fine in the role, but even he can't seem to tie the two sides together. Additionally, Eve seems wrong for period fare, and Evans is a bit wooden. They're all aided, however, by sparking dialogue; Cusack especially savors each delicious word as he delivers them into the ether. Overall, the enjoyable elements outweigh the disappointing ones, and The Raven works.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about The Raven's violence. How does the blood and gore in this movie compare with the violence in Poe's stories? Which has more impact?
Does Poe seem like an addict in this movie? What makes him drink and smoke? Why do you think drinking is shown, but not drugs?
How accurate do you think this movie is? Why do filmmakers sometimes alter historical events? How could you find out more about Poe's real life?
Does this movie make it look fun to be a writer? Is it possible to be a writer without drinking and suffering?
Movie Details
- In theaters : April 27, 2012
- On DVD or streaming : October 9, 2012
- Cast : Alice Eve , Brendan Gleeson , John Cusack , Luke Evans
- Director : James McTeigue
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Gay Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Relativity Media
- Genre : Thriller
- Topics : Book Characters
- Run time : 110 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : bloody violence and grisly images
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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