Movie Review: Crimson Peak

While Guillermo Del Toro is mostly known to American audiences for his massive blockbusters Hellboy and Pacific Rim, the majority of the Mexican-born director's work has been in the horror genre. He broke into the film industry with his English and Spanish-language horror films Mimic, Cronos and The Devil's Backbone and since his rise to prominence, he's served as a producer on films such as 2007's The Orphanage and 2013's Mama. Del Toro goes back to his horror roots with his latest feature, Crimson Peak-a blood-soaked ode to the Gothic romance films of the 1940's.  

Crimson Peak focuses on Edith Cushing (Mia Wasikowska), a young aspiring author living a quiet life with her successful industrialist father (Jim Beaver) in upstate New York. Edith's solitary existence changes after she catches the eye of Sir Thomas Sharp (Tom Hiddleston), a charming British inventor seeking funding from her father to mass produce a clay mining instrument he designed. Much to the chagrin of her overprotective father, Edith quickly falls for Thomas and they soon wed and move to Allerdale Hall-the sprawling, decrepit mansion that Thomas and his sister (Jessica Chastain) share in the British countryside. Soon after moving into Allerdale Hall, Edith is haunted by the house's various spirits and begins to suspect that Thomas may not be the man he appears to be.

While it may feature ghosts and moments of gruesome violence, Crimson Peak is far more of a Gothic-inspired romantic drama than a horror film. The film's focus on character development and the love story between Edith and Thomas instead of jump scares will leave some viewers agitated, but it makes for a unique viewing experience that's not quite like anything that's hit multiplexes this century.

Crimson Peak may not be horrifying, but it is wildly unsettling. There's a constant aura of dread running through this film that only becomes stronger as Edith further digs into the mystery behind Allerdale Hall and the Sharp's family history. The film gets under your skin and rattles you to the core in a way that so many horror films try but ultimately fail to. Things unexpectedly popping out and ear-piercing music are good for quick shocks, but Del Toro understands that the only way to create lasting terror is to establish an unwavering sense of unease that doesn't give the audience time to come up for air.

Like all of Del Toro's previous films, Crimson Peak is largely driven by its stunning visuals. The art direction and set designs are amongst the most impressive I've ever seen in a film. Alerdale Hall is so vivid and detailed that it's essentially a living, breathing entity. Everything from the crumbling walls to the long, dimly-lit hallways bristle with dark energy and are loaded with subtle hints about the true character of The Sharp siblings. Things like set design and art direction are trivial in most films, but in Crimson Peak they establish the eerie atmosphere and serve as the glue that holds Del Toro's dense vision together. 

Further adding to Crimson Peak's appeal is the strong performances from all three lead actors. Wasikowska, Hiddleston and Chastain are all perfectly cast in their respective roles and chew up the film's rich scenery with their spirited work. Their acting keeps the film humming along while it struggles to find its footing in the early going and makes the film's great final hour that much more rewarding. Crimson Peak is an engrossing and completely unique film that's perfect viewing for anyone looking for a break from the supernatural horror fare that has dominated every Halloween season in recent memory.
3.5/5 Stars