Plot: Edith, the daughter of a rich American businessman, is charmed away from her homeland by a smooth talking Englishman. She moves to his family home in England, only to discover that the house and its owners carry a terrible secret.
Director Guillermo del Toro has long been known for his attention to detail and signature style. His best films immerse viewers in their worlds and Crimson Peak is no different. This is a film whose look alone is full of character, with cinematography, set and sound design all finely tuned to pull viewers into its 19th century world.
At Crimson Peak things go bump in the night, every night. Ghosts appear throughout, terrorising Edith (Mia Wasikowska) every time the sun goes down. Its just a shame that, despite their frequent appearances, none of these ghosts are particularly interesting or memorable. It is in fact the charming Thomas Sharpe (Tom Hiddleston) and his frosty sister Lucille (Jessica Chastain) that steal the spotlight. Hiddleston and Chastain’s performances are on point, and their characters’ strange relationships with Edith are intriguing and give weight to what is otherwise a rather simple story. JC
Verdict:
Despite the ghosts themselves being somewhat a let down, Crimson Peak is still a good watch. This is a creepy, stylish gothic romance full of atmosphere.
3/5
Screened 