[New] Edgar Allan Poe and Christian Bale Walk Into a Bar

Literature and Historical Fiction in The Pale Blue Eye

BY CASSIDY HOWARD Staff Writer

IMDB: 6.7/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 63%

Metacritic: 56%

Cassidy: 7.4/10

“One of his eyes resembled that of a vulture -- a pale blue eye, with a film over it. Whenever it fell upon me, my blood ran cold; and so by degrees -- very gradually -- I made up my mind to take the life of the old man, and thus rid myself of the eye for ever.” – Edgar Allan Poe, “The Tell-Tale Heart” (1843)

The success of films in 2022 is no secret. With a return to theatre releases and a considerable increase in feature-length movies, patrons and critics alike found this to be a restorative year for the industry. Although the eagerness of a post-pandemic world to seek and even force “normalcy” may have at first seemed a substantial contributing factor to upward-trending movie ratings, the increasingly advanced screenplay of streaming-service cinema silences such suspicions. One film released at the end of 2022, The Pale Blue Eye, was an especially noteworthy contribution to the cinematic portfolio of Netflix originals. While the film derives its title from one of Edgar Allan Poe’s most infamous works, its plot and characters reflect nothing of its namesake short

Graphic by Lacie DeGough

story. As a matter of fact, the movie is a historical fiction revolving loosely around Edgar Allan Poe himself. In the film, Poe finds himself pleasurably entangled in investigating a purported homicide headed by the protagonist and detective Augustus Landor, embodied by Christian Bale. The pair work stealthily together, with Landor employing Poe’s knowledge of language and the macabre to turn every stone.

The film itself beautifully maintains a consistent eerie and foreboding atmosphere through its visual effects, haunting characters, and masterful dialogue. Moreover, the weaving of Augustus Landor’s own story into the active plot of the movie is done tastefully and without blemish. Each character’s depth of emotion and complexity makes this film a delightful and engaging watch. If you find no personal draw from these attributes, consider the outstanding performance of Christian Bale to pique your interest. As the film progresses, Bale’s performance swells almost impossibly with impressiveness, even into the closing scene.

The Pale Blue Eye is the perfect film for literature and film junkies alike, paying homage to the person and mind of Edgar Allan Poe while dually presenting a mirage of brilliant cinematic creativity. It is most definitely worth the watch.