The Pale Blue Eye (2022)

The Pale Blue Eye (2022)

 

5/10

 

Starring

Christian Bale

Harry Melling

Gillian Anderson

Lucy Boynton

 

Directed by Scott Cooper

 

One thing this movie does well is its surprising ending. It will catch you off guard how the case in question was already a done deal from the start. The movie feels like a charade, molded to fit what the lead, Landor (Christian Bale), wants it to be. This makes the involvement of Poe (Harry Melling) as an assistant detective in the matter seem silly, irrelevant, and ultimately misleading. His discovery comes off as too late for someone of his supposed intellect and character.

Acting-wise, you wouldn’t expect anything less from the talented cast, but the pacing of the movie has too many dragged-out moments that verge on boring to the point of sleepiness. The other arc in the story is filled with presumptions that are more off-putting than intriguing, making the whole experience a forgettable time on Netflix.

The story follows Landor, a former veteran detective, called back to duty to investigate the death of a cadet. The cadet was found hanged, but strangely, his body was in a sitting position on the ground.

Landor disagrees with the autopsy’s conclusion that the death was a suicide. He discovers that the cadet was struck on the back of the head before an attempt to hang him failed when another cadet approached. What’s even more bizarre about the case is that the body was mutilated, with the heart missing.

Landor takes on the case, and halfway through the movie—after being dragged through one poorly lit scene after another—another cadet is killed. This death mirrors the first, except the carving of the heart this time appears clumsier.

Landor’s investigation uncovers that the town’s doctor, who performed the autopsy, is involved in occult practices, casting suspicion on him and his family. Additionally, Poe’s altercations with the two dead cadets come to light, leading some to believe he may be connected to the murders.

The movie is an okay watch but not strong enough to recommend. It could have been better if it avoided the dull moments of Poe aimlessly trying to solve the case while Landor passively listens. More focus on the investigation itself, rather than unnecessary dialogue, would have improved the experience. Or if the writers had worked on giving us engaging dialogues that would be memorable.

The movie is still streaming on Netflix if you want to check it out as a Christian Bale fan, my advice, watch something else.