Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- macabre
- oppressive
- theatrical
- classic horror marathon
- gothic movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly regarded the film as a poorly written and misjudged Poe-inspired horror vehicle whose Lugosi-centered performance and macabre premise were undermined by weak direction and an ill-fitting Karloff role.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Dr. Vollin models his identity and revenge scheme around Edgar Allan Poe and the figure of Lenore.
Vollin restores Jean's damaged body, then uses neurological expertise and plastic surgery to deform Edmond Bateman into submission.
The climactic scheme unfolds in Vollin's Poe-inspired torture chamber, where gothic décor and devices externalize his theatrical cruelty.
Vollin is recruited to save Jean after her accident but secretly reimagines her as his Lenore and targets her family and fiancé.
Films like The Raven, and why
The Black Cat
shared pre-Code gothic horror, mad-doctor villainy, theatrical cruelty, and Universal-era atmosphere
Dracula
shared Bela Lugosi performance style, supernatural-tinged menace, and expressionistic gothic horror
The Invisible Ray
shared Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi pairing, sadistic experimentation, and classic studio horror
The Masque of the Red Death
shared Poe-inspired gothic horror, psychological torment, and macabre revenge plotting
Movie Details
- Director
- Lew Landers
- Release Date
- 1935-07-08
- Runtime
- 61 min
- Rating
- 6.6 / 10 (157)
Cast
- Boris Karloff
- Bela Lugosi
- Lester Matthews
- Irene Ware
- Samuel S. Hinds
- Spencer Charters
- Inez Courtney
- Ian Wolfe
- Maidel Turner
- Raine Bennett
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Raven about?
- A Poe-obsessed neurological surgeon turns a life-saving miracle into a gothic campaign of surgical control and revenge.
- What is The Raven like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Raven as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Raven violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Raven as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Raven?
- Critics broadly regarded the film as a poorly written and misjudged Poe-inspired horror vehicle whose Lugosi-centered performance and macabre premise were undermined by weak direction and an ill-fitting Karloff role.
- Which films are like The Raven?
- Films with a similar feel include The Black Cat, Dracula, The Invisible Ray, and The Masque of the Red Death.
- How long is The Raven?
- The Raven runs 61 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Raven?
- In United States, The Raven is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
