The Pale Blue Eye

The 2022 American mystery thriller, directed and written by Scott Cooper, is an adaptation of Louis Bayard's 2006 novel of the same name. Set in 1830 at West Point, New York, the film follows veteran detective Augustus Landor (Christian Bale), who is summoned to investigate a series of mysterious murders at the United States Military Academy. The first victim, Cadet Leroy Fry, is found hanged with his heart removed. Landor discovers a fragment of a note in Fry's hand, leading him to suspect foul play rather than suicide. To aid in the investigation, he enlists the help of a young cadet, the future renowned writer Edgar Allan Poe (Harry Melling). Poe's sharp intellect and poetic nature assist Landor in analyzing clues and understanding the psychological profile of the perpetrator. As the investigation progresses, they encounter several obstacles, including resistance from the academy's administration and the unveiling of dark secrets among its inhabitants. The situation intensifies when a second cadet, Randolph Ballinger, is found murdered with similar mutilations. Landor and Poe begin to suspect that the murders may be linked to occult rituals, especially after discovering slaughtered animals with their hearts removed near the academy. Suspicion falls upon the family of Dr. Daniel Marquis (Toby Jones), particularly his daughter Lea (Lucy Boynton) and son Artemus (Harry Lawtey), who are revealed to have an interest in the occult. Lea suffers from epilepsy, and the family resorts to mystical rituals in an attempt to find a cure. In the film's climax, Lea and Artemus attempt another ritual, with Poe as the intended victim, but Landor intervenes, resulting in a fire that kills both siblings. However, Poe later realizes that the handwriting on the discovered note matches Landor's, leading him to deduce that the detective himself was involved in the murders. It is revealed that Landor was seeking revenge against the cadets for the rape and subsequent suicide of his daughter Mattie (Hadley Robinson). Poe, feeling sympathy for Landor, destroys the evidence, allowing him to escape punishment. The film delves into themes of revenge, morality, and consequence, blending elements of detective fiction and gothic thriller, immersing the audience in the dark atmosphere of the 19th century.