Best Edgar Allan Poe Adaptations

Edgar Allan Poe is an author who was renowned for his exploration of both the horror and mystery genres, which have been the focus of dozens of movies and shows since the early 1900s. His popularity has only increased since his passing, with his name being well known around the world.

While Poe’s works are, in some cases, followed as best as they can by the source material, others are loosely inspired or, in very rare cases, fused to create some of the greatest in the morbid and the macabre. From old-school filmmaking legends like Roger Corman to horror aficionado Mike Flanagan, we look at some highlights of work inspired by Poe.

10

Stonehearst Asylum

2014

A film with a star-studded cast, including Kate Beckinsale and Ben Kingsley, Stonehearst Asylum is an underrated addition to the continuous string of Poe-inspired films. Based on Poe’s The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether, the film was underappreciated by critics upon release but excelled in its unexpected twists.

Set in the late 1800s in Victorian England, the film’s story follows Dr Newgate’s visit to Stonehearst Asylum, where he is not only bewitched by the beautiful Eliza Graves but, to his horror, discovers that the patients have replaced the asylum staff. The movie poses the question of whom among the characters we’ve encountered is truly mad, and how we deal with and treat those who suffer from mental illnesses.

2013

2013’s Extraordinary Tales is an anthology film that gifts each of the featured Poe stories its own distinct animation style, with top-notch narration from Hollywood legends like Christopher Lee and Guillermo del Toro. The film includes and animates The Fall of the House of Usher, The Tell-Tale Heart, The Masque of the Red Death, The Pit and the Pendulum and The Facts in the Case of Mr Valdemar.

The anthology doesn’t solely narrate five of Poe’s works, showcasing interim conversations between a statue representing Death and a raven representing the author, Poe. Refreshing, unique and a delight to watch, each narrator gave their all in this Gothic horror extravaganza, doing justice to the morbid tales and their respective themes.

8

The Raven

2012

Unlike 1963’s The Raven, the 2012 iteration of the same name is not based on the infamous poem. Taking inspiration from multiple Poe works, The Raven is a murder-mystery thriller, where author Edgar Allan Poe is taken along the ride to help solve a string of grisly murders that imitate his stories.

Although the movie was not received well by critics upon release, The Raven gets things right in creating the ambiance and visuals needed for a Poe-inspired film, and shocks the senses with the gory death scene that imitates The Pit and the Pendulum. Despite John Cusack’s headlining as Poe, Luke Evans really outshone everyone as Detective Fields.

7

Terroir

2014

Loosely inspired by The Cask of Amontillado, Terroir is a 2014 indie film that takes an interesting route in adapting Poe’s work. Wine aficionado Jonathan Bragg invites a ‘wine detective’ named Borgo to his estate to investigate the origins of a wine called Oroboros.

Naturally, it’s a tale of revenge similar to The Cask of Amontillado, but Terroir infuses a refreshing spin with an underground cult, rife with pagan symbols and influences. Keith Carradine truly steals the spotlight as Jonathan Bragg and, paired with stunning visuals and unparalleled cinematography, this is one to watch.

6

The Tomb Of Ligeia

1964

Unlike the jumpscares and deliberate spooks of most horror films, The Tomb of Ligeia’s horror aspect is more understated and felt ​​​​​​rather than seen. Vincent Price strikes gold once again with his performance, delivering the sinister obsession, grief and paranoia that his character experiences.

Taking place in a seemingly idyllic British countryside, Verden Fell has lost his wife, Ligeia, but still believes that her soul is around. Although Fell remarries, his obsession with Ligeia never fades, even believing that his new wife is possessed by her. Fell’s mental state steadily spirals, to the point where it’s uncertain if Ligeia is actually haunting him or is a figment of Fell’s fracturing mind.

5

The Fall Of The House Of Usher

1960

Madness, obsession and generational sin abound in the original story and Corman’s 1960 adaptation. Although the film diverges from the 1839 short story and does give you somewhat of a déjà vu feeling for starting the same way as 1961’s The Pit and the Pendulum, Corman maintains the eerie atmosphere and nascent tension you’d expect to find in the Usher mansion.

A lovesick and concerned Philip Winthrop travels to the Usher family mansion in search of his fiancée, Madeline Usher. He wants to take her away to Boston, but her brother, Roderick, opposes his plans, determined to have Madeline remain in the mansion by hook or by crook. In the film, Roderick details the family curse created by the criminal activities of his ancestors, while the original story points the finger at incest. However, the result is the same, as Roderick and Madeline are destroyed due to the sins of their predecessors.

4

The Masque Of The Red Death

1964

The tale of Prince Prospero is delivered well in 1964’s The Masque of the Red Death, with many aspects that elevate it to one of the best Poe adaptations ever made. The movie doesn’t hold back with its ostentatious set pieces and costumes, well-paced storytelling and excellent dialogue. Although it’s a horror film, The Masque of the Red Death doesn’t rely on jumpscares, but gradually builds on the feeling of impending doom.

In essence, the movie tells the story of the evil and hedonistic Prince Prospero, who seeks to escape from the Red Death that’s been killing off the nearby village. Despite entering into a deal with Satan, Prospero soon realises that nothing can save him from Death, as his guests begin to succumb to the plague.

3

The Raven

1963

Rather than a horror movie, 1963’s The Raven has, interestingly, gone down the comedy route. Loosely based on the famous 1845 poem of the same name, the film instantly draws your attention with its well-written and comedically timed dialogue. Although the humour can get a bit too silly at times, it’s well-balanced with excellent cinematography and intriguing characters.

Mourning for the loss of his wife Lenore, retired sorcerer Erasmus Craven finds himself in the company of a talking raven, who is revealed to be a wizard named Bedlo who was transformed by a rival sorcerer named Scarabus. Discovering that Lenore might be alive, Erasmus journeys to Scarabus’ castle. What follows are unexpected plot twists, betrayals and an epic magic duel with impressive special effects for its time.

2

The Pit And The Pendulum

1961

Starring the legendary Vincent Price, The Pit and the Pendulum is director Roger Corman’s highest-grossing Poe film – and for good reason. Corman does a swell job building tension throughout the film, as well as inspiring unease within the audience from the moment the movie starts.

Based on the 1842 story of the same name, the story is set in medieval Spain, not so long after the end of the Spanish Inquisition. Francis Barnard journeys to the Medina family castle at the news of his sister’s death and refuses to believe the excuses either Medina sibling gives him. The themes of torture, trauma, betrayal and the supernatural are central to the tale, which Corman brings out masterfully in this 1961 iteration.

1

The Fall Of The House Of Usher

2023

The most recent adaptation on this list, The Fall of the House of Usher, is unique among the other entries here, as director Mike Flanagan decided to mash a collection of Poe’s works into one. From The Black Cat and The Raven to Annabel Lee and The Murders at the Rue Morgue, Flanagan succeeded in making Poe’s influence clear throughout the show, seamlessly blending his stories into one compelling narrative in this eight-episode show.

The story centres on the Usher family, an extremely wealthy family who built their fortune by selling the painkiller Ligodone, causing a widespread opioid epidemic. The patriarch, Roderick Usher and his sister Madeline make a deal with the devil to be massively wealthy while consistently escaping justice. However, they realise that their deal might’ve been real and not imagined when Roderick’s children start dying one by one.