Crimson Peak (2015)

Director: Guillermo del Toro

Starring: Mia Wasikovska, Tom Hiddleston, Jessica Chastain, Charlie Hunnam

Primary genre: Gothic

Secondary genre: Romance

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"Crimson Peak" sees Guillermo del Toro in fine form. Taking his time to establish a slow-burn mystery that starts as a romance, it then devolves into something more sinister. Thus those who might expect a scare-fest due its misleading marketing campaign might be disappointed. The slow and methodological depiction of tragic circumstances are the simply the stones that will cause an event avalanche with supernatural flourishes; yet no matter how menacing or disturbing his ghoulish creations might be, they can match the murderous human psyche. The film beautifully (and yet predictably) balances this out with a more poetic approach of storytelling similar to the famous works of gothic literature recreated on the big screen for your pleasure and despite the long running time and some pacing issues halfway through, we reach a surprisingly feisty climax.

With “Crimson Peak” Del Toro might have made perhaps his most ambitious visual film to date. The titular "Crimson Peak" feels like a living entity that breathes and bleeds red clay, a fascinating visual that is worthy of the admission price alone. With its endless corridors, spikes, chandeliers, bizarre staircases and other exquisite visual cues, the production design is outstanding to say the least, complemented by sharp costume design with vibrant autumn colors on an army of elaborate dresses and suits and the mesmerizing cinematography of the great (and underrated) Danish Dan Laustsen who has managed to convey appropriately a sense of dread, isolation and sadness.

Following similar visual cues to those of "The Devil's Backbone" (2001), the ghoulish creatures are expertly introduced via blink-and-you-will-miss moments that may require multiple viewings. Mostly integrated in the background, del Toro is showcasing his love to abysmal monster design with a saturated color palette that makes them more of grotesque cinematic representations of Zdzisław Beksiński’s works rather than nightmare fuel.

Despite its relatively small cast, there is a lot to admire here. With a sentiment of a small and intimate play, “Crimson Peak” allows its actors to sink their teeth into meaty and well-defined roles. While Hiddleston and (in a lesser degree) Hunnam share satisfying chemistry with Wasikovska (who does not play the main lead as a traditional damsel in distress) and deliver their lines with panache, Jessica Chastain dominates the proceedings as the icy Lucille. With a calm-before-the-storm face, Lucille is one of these characters that the moment they are introduced, you get the icky feeling that something might be off. Closer to a ticking time bomb than a fragile female, she delivers a fearless performance that manages to capture perfectly a large variety of ambiguous emotions with just the simple movement of a spoon.

“Crimson Peak” definitely will not earn more fans of the genre but it will appeal to those who want something more fleshed out than a traditional creature feature or scare-fest. With high production values, an eye for exceptional detail, strong performances and capable direction, “Crimson Peak” deserves your attention.

A predictable but visually exciting gothic romance tale

+Exceptional production and costume design

+Ghost designs

+Jessica Chastain owns the role

+Creepy and atmospheric

+Superb cinematography

-A bit long

-Charlie Hunnam is underused

-Not very surprising mystery