The Pale Blue Eye falls flat in the conventionality of its final, fiery conclusion.

I found the mystery itself a bit dull, but I liked the setting of this and the character Christian Bale is playing.

It’s made by a good director, has a fine cast, a compelling plot and an intriguing historical link to Poe’s fascination with death. Such elements make it worth watching, even if it does become predictable and silly by the end.

It tells a tale that would fit right into a lineup of stories from Poe himself.