THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN STOP A SERIAL KILLER IS THE MAN WHO INSPIRED HIM.

Baltimore, 1849; police detective Emmett Fields (Luke Evans) realizes that several murders are being done exactly the same way as in Edgar Allan Poe (John Cusack) stories, and asks the down-on-his-luck writer for help. A historic horror-thriller from the director of V for Vendetta (2006) that starts out with Poe’s mysterious death in 1849 and invents a fanciful background story. The film benefits from using a similarly gothic, frenzied style as From Hell (2001), reveling in a creative and bloody tale that enjoys subjecting its characters to exciting chases and dark, intimidating environs. Not an outstanding story, but capably staged.

2012-U.S.-Hungary-Spain. 111 min. Color. Widescreen. Directed by James McTeigue. Cast: John Cusack (Edgar Allan Poe), Luke Evans (Emmett Fields), Alice Eve (Emily Hamilton), Brendan Gleeson, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Kevin McNally.

Trivia: Ewan McGregor, Joaquin Phoenix and Jeremy Renner were allegedly considered for lead roles.

IMDb