A 2022 mystery film has captivated audiences on Netflix with its blend of historical fiction. The film, starring Christian Bale has left fans 'utterly mesmerised'.
Directed by Scott Cooper and based on Louis Bayard's novel, the film stars Christian Bale as Augustus Landor, a detective who has been summoned to West Point in 1830 to investigate a cadet's gruesome murder. He partners with an eccentric young cadet, none other than Edgar Allan Poe, played by Harry Melling.
When the cadet's lifeless body is discovered, the investigation spirals into a web of secrets, with a twist that redefines the entire story. Viewers have dubbed the film captivating due to its twists and turns.
One person wrote on Rotten Tomatoes: "I have to start by saying this movie exceeded my expectations. The suspense was maintained throughout the two-hour journey, with plenty of "whodunit" moments to keep me intrigued and invested.
"The film struck the perfect balance of twists and turns, making it an exciting and worthwhile watch without ever feeling predictable. The main cast delivered strong performances, with nothing to disrupt my immersion or distract me from feeling as if I were right alongside Augustus Landor and Edgar Allan Poe, eager to solve the mystery at hand."
Another said: "Good mystery Christian Bale has a Great performance And The twist is great I didn't see it coming it's also good to see you harry potters cousin in something not Harry Potter Just a little toooooo long 7/10."
One person said: "Definitely a Must See movie! The best portrayal of Edgar Allan Poe I have EVER seen!!! I have no idea how he didn't get Best Supporting Actor for this role."
Another added: "The Pale Blue eye is a decent murder mystery film with a few twists and turns in the plot to keep it interesting. It starts off a bit slow, but the good acting and great setting kept me in it until I was invested in the story. Worth a watch if you like the 19th century setting with dark undertones."
Not only does the film star Bale, the film boasts a stellar cast that includes Gillian Anderson, Lucy Boynton, Robert Duvall, and Toby Jones. It has also been praised for its atmospheric cinematography by Masanobu Takayanagi and haunting score by Howard Shore which has enhanced the film's eerie ambiance.
Upon its release, the film received mixed reviews. Although critics lauded the performances, particularly Melling's portrayal of Poe, some found the plot's conclusion underwhelming.
You can watch The Pale Blue Eye on Netflix, it offers viewers a cleverly crafted period drama that intertwines historical figures with a chilling murder mystery. It received a 63% score on Rotten Tomatoes and 6.6/10 on IMDb.
