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Plot Summary

Discover the intricate plot of The Raven (2012). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.


The movie begins in 19th century Maryland, where a group of Baltimore police rushes towards the desperate screams of a woman from an apartment. Upon entering, they find a woman, Jasmina Ilic, lifeless on the floor with her throat cut, while her daughter’s corpse (Teodora Uveric) is gruesomely hidden in the chimney. Detective Emmett Fields (Luke Evans) is summoned to aid in the case and soon realizes the murder bears a striking resemblance to a tale from Edgar Allan Poe (John Cusack). It seems that the writer’s dark and twisted fiction is reflecting a horrific reality.

Poe, now down on his luck and viewed as a social outcast, struggles with his writings that have failed to reach the public. He has a profound affection for the enchanting Emily Hamilton (Alice Eve](/actor/alice-eve)), but her father, Captain Charles Hamilton (Brendan Gleeson), openly despises Poe and threatens him violently if he pursues her. During a police inquiry, Poe is horrified to learn that his stories are being turned into a series of actual murders. Detective Fields proposes that Poe assist in the investigation, and he reluctantly agrees, hoping to identify the killer and save themselves from the escalating atrocities.

The investigation leads them to the murder of Rufus Griswold (John Warnaby), a literary critic who has been embroiled in conflict with Poe. Elements of this crime echo Poe’s tale “The Pit and the Pendulum,” intensifying the notion that the killer bases actions on Poe’s narratives. Determined, they anticipate the next crime will occur at Captain Hamilton’s upcoming masquerade ball, reminiscent of “The Masque of the Red Death.”

While undercover, excitement turns to dread when a skeleton-clad horseman shocks the attendees, only for Fields to misfire, discovering the performer was simply part of the entertainment. Soon after, it becomes clear that this was all a facade, as Emily has been abducted, and clues to her whereabouts are left in the killer’s messages. The detective and Poe realize that if they are to rescue her, Poe must comply with the relentless demands of the murderous figure.

As they delve deeper into the case, a gruesome discovery at the local Medical School reveals a raven and the body of an actress (Ana Sofrenovic) dressed as Lady Macbeth. This discovery sharpens their understanding that the killer’s methods reflect the plots of Poe’s stories. Ambushing the theater where the actress performed, they discover all crew members accounted for except for Maurice Rabichaux (Dejan Cubrilov), a sailor who had recently come into town. Their search of the underground tunnels hints at Emily’s potential location, but a gruesome twist reveals that the sailer was murdered, disguised as her.

Two perplexing clues are left with Maurice: a pocket watch frozen at 12:27 and a tattoo displaying coded information. The relentless pursuit leads them to a church where Emily is thought to be held captive but arrives too late; she is nowhere to be found, having been buried under the watchful eyes of her captor. In a desperate final attempt, Poe publishes a column offering his life in exchange for hers, leading to further chaos in Baltimore as public frenzy mounts against him.

With the criminal’s identity obscure, Fields undergoes surgery, where he learns the ink from the killer’s notes contains a property that mates its source to the local paper. Eventually, Poe’s inquiries lead him back to the newspaper, uncovering a chilling scene: the editor has been killed and posed grotesquely. It becomes all too apparent that the killer is one who longed for Poe’s writings, ultimately manifesting tragedy from literature into a deadly reality.

In a heart-stopping finale, Poe confronts his would-be killer, Ivan (Sam Hazeldine), who has used Poe’s work as morbid inspiration. As the two engage in a tense standoff, and with dire consequences unfolding, Poe bravely confronts the twisted fanatics that blur the lines between reality and fiction. As Poe slips into the grips of poison and darkness, his legacy is sealed, leaving him to question if he will ever find solace or love beyond the grave. The haunting end leaves Fields pursuing an escapee across distant shores, hinting that the veils of truth may still linger amidst the specters of characters past.

Timeline

Track the key events of The Raven (2012) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.


Murder in Baltimore

The film opens in 19th century Maryland, where a group of Baltimore police rushes to the alarming screams of a woman. They discover the lifeless body of Jasmina Ilic, brutally murdered, alongside her daughter's corpse hidden in the chimney, setting the stage for a chilling investigation.

19th century Baltimore, Maryland

Detective Emmett Fields Takes Charge

Detective Emmett Fields is called to aid the police in unraveling the mysterious murders. As he inspects the gruesome scene, he realizes that the circumstances bear a striking resemblance to a disturbing tale penned by the renowned writer Edgar Allan Poe.

Baltimore, Maryland

Edgar Allan Poe's Struggles

Edgar Allan Poe, portrayed as a socially ostracized figure in the community, grapples with his unsuccessful writings. His affections for Emily Hamilton deepen, but her father, Captain Charles Hamilton, threatens Poe, foreshadowing the conflict that lies ahead.

Poe Joins the Investigation

Amidst rising tensions, Detective Fields proposes that Poe assist in the investigation for his insight into the killer's mind. Reluctantly, Poe agrees, seeing it as an opportunity to clear his name and perhaps save Emily from the unfolding horrors.

Baltimore, Maryland

Murder of Rufus Griswold

The investigation takes a dark turn when they discover the murder of Rufus Griswold, a literary critic and a known adversary of Poe. The scene echoes elements of Poe's own story, 'The Pit and the Pendulum', further indicating that the killer is mimicking Poe's fiction.

Masquerade Ball Preparations

Poe and Fields deduce that the next murder will take place during Captain Hamilton's masquerade ball. They prepare for the event, understanding that it mirrors Poe's tale, 'The Masque of the Red Death', catalyzing their anticipation for the killer's next move.

Captain Hamilton's estate

The Masquerade Turned Nightmare

While attending the masquerade, a skeleton-clad horseman sends the guests into a panic. Detective Fields misfires his weapon in confusion, only to find out that the figure was part of the entertainment, adding to the harrowing atmosphere of the evening.

Captain Hamilton's estate

Emily's Abduction

The night takes a treacherous turn when it is revealed that Emily has been abducted during the chaos. The killer leaves behind cryptic messages, pushing Poe and Fields to confront the malicious mind behind the horrors that mirror Poe’s stories.

Gruesome Discovery at the Medical School

In a shocking twist, the duo discovers a raven and the body of an actress dressed as Lady Macbeth at the Medical School. This grim find reveals the killer’s tactics are interwoven with the plots of Poe's narratives, sharpening their investigation.

Medical School

The Sailor's Fate

While searching the theater associated with the murdered actress, they uncover evidence that hints at Emily's potential location. Tragically, they find that Maurice Rabichaux, a sailor with connections to the case, has also been murdered.

Theater

Coded Clues Lead to Conflict

Two clues left with the deceased sailor point towards a pocket watch frozen at 12:27 and a tattoo with coded messages. This fuels Fields and Poe's determination to follow the trail, despite realizing the danger that lies ahead.

Chasing Shadows

The investigation leads Fields and Poe to a church where they hope to rescue Emily, only to discover they are too late. The revelation leaves them reeling as they grasp the depths of the killer's twisted plots.

Church

Poe's Desperate Bargain

In a final, desperate act, Poe publishes a column offering his life in exchange for Emily's. This controversial decision results in a public frenzy, demonstrating the killer's grip on both Poe's psyche and the city of Baltimore.

Baltimore, Maryland

Unmasking the Killer

Fields undergoes surgery and deduces that the killer's ink is linked to the local newspaper. This revelation sets Poe on a grim path back to the editor's office, where another horrifying discovery awaits.

Newspaper office

Final Confrontation

In a heart-stopping climax, Poe confronts Ivan, the man obsessed with his work, resulting in a life-or-death struggle. As shadows of his fiction loom large, Poe's legacy is sealed in a tragic ending that blurs the line between reality and fiction.

Characters

Meet the characters that bring The Raven (2012) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.


Emmett Fields

Detective Emmett Fields is a determined lawman who becomes embroiled in a series of grisly murders that mirror the works of Edgar Allan Poe. He exhibits a strong sense of justice and bravery, but is also a deeply flawed character, grappling with the weight of the investigation and the chaotic circumstances surrounding him.

🔍 Detective 🦸‍♂️ Hero

Edgar Allan Poe

Poe is portrayed as a tormented artist, struggling to gain recognition for his literary talent while coping with personal demons and societal rejection. His character embodies the duality of genius and madness, as he reluctantly immerses himself in the investigation to confront the very horrors he writes about.

📚 Writer 😔 One of a Kind

Emily Hamilton

Emily Hamilton is the object of Poe’s affections, representing beauty and innocence amid the dark themes of the story. Despite her father's disapproval of Poe, she adds depth to the narrative, as her abduction propels Poe into a harrowing journey to save her, underlining the theme of love intertwined with danger.

❤️ Love Interest 🎭 Complex

Setting

Uncover the settings of The Raven (2012), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.


Time period

19th century

The 19th century was a period marked by significant social, cultural, and literary shifts. This era saw the rise of many renowned writers, including Edgar Allan Poe, who confronted themes of death, horror, and the macabre in their works, reflecting the darker aspects of human nature and societal fears.

Location

Maryland, Baltimore

19th century Maryland serves as a dark and atmospheric backdrop for the film, encapsulating a time of both literary innovation and growing societal tensions. Baltimore, known for its rich history, becomes the stage where gruesome murders intertwine with Edgar Allan Poe's haunting tales, blurring the lines between fiction and reality.

🏙️ City 📚 Literature

Themes

Explore the core themes of The Raven (2012). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.


🔍

Mystery

Mystery permeates the narrative as Detective Emmett Fields seeks to unravel a series of murders that echo Poe's literary works. The tension mounts with each clue, presenting enigmas that challenge the characters' wits and resolve, ultimately leading to chilling revelations about the killer's true motives.

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Literature

The film significantly highlights the influence of literature, particularly the works of Edgar Allan Poe. Poe's stories serve not only as inspiration for the crimes but also as a reflection of his own struggles with identity and societal acceptance, ultimately raising questions about the impact of art on reality.

💔

Love and Sacrifice

Unrequited love and the theme of sacrifice are central to Poe's motivations, particularly in his relationship with Emily Hamilton. Poe’s willingness to risk everything, including his own life, for Emily showcases the lengths one will go to for love, culminating in a tragic interplay between the heart and destiny.

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