In the aftermath of a family tragedy, an aspiring author is torn between love for her childhood friend and the temptation of a mysterious outsider. Trying to escape the ghosts of her past, she is swept away to a house that breathes, bleeds – and remembers.
I disappointed myself by failing to catch this movie in theaters back when I had a chance. Now, in a post “The Shape of Water” world, all eyes are on Guillermo del Toro for his next big project; making this the perfect time to revisit his previous film, “Crimson Peak.” With an eye for color, a knack for drama, and a superb sense of mood, “Crimson Peak” shines as an example of dramatic filmmaking perfectly mixing several genres into one coherent and unique film.
From the very get-go, we’re treated to sumptuous visual feasts. It’s all I want to talk about, to be honest. Whether it’s the museum, the ballroom, or all the different rooms inside the Allerdale Manse, each set piece shines in substantial decoration. The ball gowns and dresses Mia Wasikowska dons throughout the film stand above the rest and demonstrate del Toro’s eye for visual flair. You can tell the production designer, set designer, costume designer et al had an extraordinary amount of work to accomplish. The visual design, told in deep hues of clashing blues, reds, and yellows, helps sell the motifs (a technique we saw perfected in “The Shape of Water”).
The story follows Edith Cushing (Mia Wasikowska) who, following the loss of her father, marries a mysterious English lord, Thomas Sharpe (Tom Hiddleston). After moving to the family estate, ghosts visit her to warn her about Thomas Sharpe and his conniving sister, Lucille (Jessica Chastain). The story told bears the trappings of a Victorian gothic romance. Lots of pining and weeping. Plenty of soft kisses and dance-banter. What really makes this film stand out is its consistent blend of horror and romance.
I don’t know many romance movies tinged with elements of horror, but this one balances both genres masterfully. The CGI ghosts and costumed apparitions stuck out in my mind long after the film ended with their curling black fingers. Del Toro’s always had an eye for monsters and their designs and he doesn’t disappoint with this movie. Everything from the ominous musical notes to the cloying shrieks of the ghosts scars your psyche and lasts long into the night.
It’s a moody film. Large parts of it feature just Mia Wasikowska venturing deeper into the dangerous house. Tom Hiddleston plays a conflicted Victorian lover torn between two different loves. Jessica Chastain delivers an impressive performance as Lucille. You can practically see her fangs as she confronts her brother’s new wife. Charlie Hunnam surprises in a more subtle role than we’re used to seeing in him and he performs admirably.
Many horror fans may feel abandoned since the crux of the story really is a wavering romance plot. More Jane Austen then Edgar Allen Poe (something explicitly mentioned in the early minutes of the film.) Romance fans may feel short-changed and alarmed by the stunning ghost visits. I, for one, enjoyed every minute of the film basking in such a strong visual composition. Imagine white hills of snow dashed blood red; red for the passion of love but also red for murder. Think Daphne Du Maurier and Stephen King tied up into one movie. I’d recommend for any consumers of R-rated movies. Enjoy the mood set by the film and experience del Toro’s work for what it was meant to be: a sumptuous feast.
Available on a special 2-Disc Limited Edition Blu-ray January 15th, 2019
