Read Mixed User Reviews for Crimson Peak

6

batson456Oct 18, 2015

I had such high expectations for this movie! Pan's Labyrinth, like many, is one of my favorite movies of all time, and The Orphanage is probably one of my favorite ghost movies. Understanding that this was a different type of film, I wasI had such high expectations for this movie! Pan's Labyrinth, like many, is one of my favorite movies of all time, and The Orphanage is probably one of my favorite ghost movies. Understanding that this was a different type of film, I was still hoping for a similar delivery. First of all, the plot is predictable, which would be fine if there was enough meat to the story or horror to fill the time, even if you know what the end is going to be. There was little tension, almost no mystery, and the ghosts seemed like an afterthought thrown because the plot was unable to hold its own without them. The acting was great, and the visuals were gorgeous, so if you are looking for pretty images without much substance, this film is for you. If you are looking for a rich and involving plot, with a supernatural undertone, look elsewhere.… Expand

5 of 6 users found this helpful51

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6

MrMovieBuffOct 20, 2015

'Crimson Peak' is one of those movies where the director, Guillermo Del Toro, is the star. This is one of those films where the director's visual style of filmmaking upstages the story. Think of it as like 'Downton Abbey' mixed with the'Crimson Peak' is one of those movies where the director, Guillermo Del Toro, is the star. This is one of those films where the director's visual style of filmmaking upstages the story. Think of it as like 'Downton Abbey' mixed with the "Harry Potter" franchise and a hint of 'Pan's Labyrinth' (2006).

It's a pretty typical horror film, especially from someone as talented as Del Toro. You can see some of the really scary parts coming from a mile away. My only issue is that some of the CGI wasn't rendered enough and some of the creatures looked a little silly at times.

The movie stars Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain, Tom Hiddleston and Charlie Hunnam, so you can expect great acting in this movie. Wasikowska's character is constantly being haunted by different ghosts and demons throughout and they tell her the same thing to be "aware of Crimson Peak".

Wasikowska then meets Hiddleston's character who wants to invent and innovate. They later get married and live in his house with his sister played by Jessica Chastain, who seems extremely eerie.

The whole film relies on suspense, and like most Del Toro films, can be deliberate in terms of pacing. Some of the scares are genuine and Del Toro crafts this expertly.

My only issue is that the story is very predictable, and at times, it can be very cliche. If you have never seen a horror film in your life, you'll probably enjoy this and will be scared by it. But if you've seen many, scarier horror films, especially from Del Toro, you'll probably be underwhelmed with this one.

Other than that, this film does contain scares, twists and beautiful production design. It is well acted and some of the images will give you nightmares. It's just...there are better, scarier films to see this October.… Expand

4 of 5 users found this helpful41

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6

FilmGobOct 16, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. 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.

Director Guillermo Del Toro returns with an interesting cast for Crimson Peak, his passion project, that certainly delivers on visuals and atmosphere. There are ghosts, macabre horror and jumps scares, but this is more tragic romance than anything else. Allerdale Hall, home of the Sharpe siblings, is a character in it's own right. A swirling staircase, narrow hallways, creaking floors, an exposed roof, courtyard machinery, and an elevator shaft that is central to the plot. The rooms are covered in darkness with lamps and fireplaces illuminating the dark, brownish green walls and furniture.

Unfortunately the story just isn't that interesting, beneath those luscious visuals, it doesn't really go anywhere. It's as if Del Toro and his writing partner thought of every gothic horror cliche, throwing them all into a script that perhaps was written in a day. Ir's not a grind to get through however, everything moves at a decent pace, the tone is tightly consistent throughout and the plot is easy to follow, and maybe that's what lets it down. Plenty of promise but nothing challenging for the viewer.

The characters, wether by accident or intent, come across a little dopey. Mia Wasikowska plays Edith Cushing, a wanna-be writer haunted by her dead mother who has warned her since she was a child, "Beware of Crimson Peak!" She falls for British aristocrat Sir Thomas Sharpe (Tom Hiddleston), and after the death of her father, moves in with Thomas and his sister Lucille (Jessica Chastain). Behind Edith's back, the brother and sister plan to swindle her out of her fortune. Turns out she isn't the first wife Thomas has tried to kill with poisoned tea, under the instructions of Lucille.

Charlie Hunnam plays the childhood friend to Edith, but he comes and goes without much presence. Hiddleston, although dashing as always, fails to give any life to his character. It's only Chastain and the third act that save this film, her anger exploding during a brilliant sequence of bloody stabbings and the chasing of Edith around the gothic mansion before the finale in the foggy, white snow and red clay covered courtyard.

Interestingly, Crimson Peak will divide the audience into loving or hating it, much like another recent Del Toro project, Pacific Rim. For me it edges itself into a positive score with memorable visuals albeit a predictable direction.… Expand

4 of 6 users found this helpful42

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4

The3AcademySinsDec 24, 2017

While I love Guillermo Del Toro, Crimson Peak really isn't some of his best work. While it holds the standard engaging stylistic choices Del Toro is known for, the story is a bore, and drags out as long as it can. While I liked the cast, IWhile I love Guillermo Del Toro, Crimson Peak really isn't some of his best work. While it holds the standard engaging stylistic choices Del Toro is known for, the story is a bore, and drags out as long as it can. While I liked the cast, I found it very hard to get invested in their characters and care what was happening to them. Go watch Pan's Labyrinth instead.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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6

AliceofXNov 3, 2015

I'll start with the absolutely worst thing about Crimson Peak - the jump scares. I didn't expect this from you del Toro! Whoever thinks that jump scares belong in any movie should have their head examined. They're not actually "scary" and ifI'll start with the absolutely worst thing about Crimson Peak - the jump scares. I didn't expect this from you del Toro! Whoever thinks that jump scares belong in any movie should have their head examined. They're not actually "scary" and if anything they take away from the horror.

Also the film thinks that we're morons that need to have repeats of previous dialogues told lest we become utterly confused about the plot. Less bad, but more persistently present, is the bland plot. It's weak and predictable and you pretty much see all the plot twists coming. Which again ties up with my previous complaint, that a plot this simple really does not require holding the audience's hand.

And must every movie set in the past have a Strong Independent Woman protagonist. Frankly it's getting tiring of seeing the same character in every film and, dare I say, un-diverse.

With that all said, Crimson Peak rests right in the middle where it's not bad or good enough to fall to either side. The best part is in the visuals, especially those of the ghosts which are pretty unique and, unlike the plot, do no feel like we've seen them a million times already.

The characters were very likable, which is a shame because with a better plot this could really have been a great film. Overall I enjoyed this film, but I think I'll enjoy it better next time, seeing it on a small screen.… Expand

3 of 5 users found this helpful32

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6

oDjentoOct 18, 2015

Much hype has been built up over the past few months for ‘Crimson Peak’ due to it supposedly being Guillermo Del Toro’s “passion project”. This in addition with the saturation of good horror films in the film industries current form, thereMuch hype has been built up over the past few months for ‘Crimson Peak’ due to it supposedly being Guillermo Del Toro’s “passion project”. This in addition with the saturation of good horror films in the film industries current form, there was plenty of reason to be excited for this feature.
As I wander down the aisle in my routinely fashion, picking my middle/back portion area of seating to sit in as tradition along with my large salted popcorn and vitamin water that have almost become synonymous with me and the cinema, I feel like I have foreshadowed what I could only presume would be a typical formulaic horror plot, sticking to the “contemporary” tradition. However I was wrong: and perhaps like others mislead.
First to understand, this is NOT a horror film: despite being labelled so. It is a Gothic Romance film. Secondly, it is not a ghost film, it is more of a romantic mystery with ghosts in it. Neither of these are specifically horror.
As the films sets off you can see a considerable amount of time has been put into set and costume design. Del Toro loves immersing his audience in the feeling of when his films are set like in 2006’s ‘Pan’s Labyrinth’, and that is no different here in Crimson Peak. There is also a nice mention between which the film takes its inspiration from: Wuthering Heights and The House of Mirth being the two obvious ones which can all be seen not only due to Edith’s name but by the Emily Bronte conversation on the stairwell.
The Film has its scary moments sparsely spread out over the film and so you can feel safe for the majority of the run time. They are mainly atmospheric but a few cheap jump-scares, but also a few effective ones. The cinematography of the film is eye popping and looks gorgeous, and only add to the films scares. Chastain brings a lot of the creepiness to the set – in fact more than the ghosts – as she delivers an excellent performance here as Lucille.
The acting in the film is for the best part good, Chastain being brilliant, Wasikowska doing a good job but sparring well with Chastain, and Hiddleston surprisingly being the worst. He is good in the film, but he is a step down from what the two lead actresses bring.
The film also has some gruesome violence but they are very infrequent, making them seem even more disgusting than they are. They are visceral and brutal, and you can’t help but watch on at the savagery.
The twist however in the film was for too obvious and the plot for the most part was a bit too formulaic, you could constantly see where it was going. Some clunky exposition is also given over a tape recorder which was all too convenient. The fact though that the film was advertised as a horror and not a gothic romance could however make the plot seem more interesting as people wouldn’t expect it, which is both parts an admirable and cheap marketing tactic by Del Toro.
The last act of the film takes an unexpected turn however and turns in a Danny Boyle ‘Sunshine’ movie, with the tone changing completely into a slasher flick. It feels out of place but to be honest, it is executed well and can’t be complained about too much.
All in all the film had good performances, beautiful visuals, a mediocre plot but plenty of material to chew on. A decent effort but definitely not delivering what was expected.
And let’s not forget, this film isn’t a horror.
6.5/10… Expand

4 of 7 users found this helpful43

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6

ozymandias79Dec 13, 2015

Predicable with dull characters. The plot is thin and the visuals are great. Maybe secondary characters needed more development. This movie needed something.