Scott Cooper’s The Pale Blue Eye is a slow burn macabre mystery worth your gaze. And while the whodunnit at hand is indeed an intriguing one, it’s the film’s gothic production design that stands as the biggest highlight. The dreary atmosphere and frostbitten landscapes really add to the moodiness of it all. And while it is a bit on the dreary side (not to mention the “long side”), there is a tasty little revelation in the third act that makes for a worthy conclusion. Also worthy of your time here, are the actors involved. While this won’t necessarily be career high-points for Christian Bale and Gillian Anderson, they do more than decent work with the period-piece material. It’s actually Harry Melling, as a young Edgar Allan Poe, who shines the most. Through a spirited read filled with curiosity and artistry, Melling’s rendition of Poe always remains a respectful one. So yes, despite some lulls along the way, the atmospheric visuals and fitting portrayals make The Pale Blue Eye a finely made Gothic yarn.