Crimson Peak

Universal Pictures | Release Date: October 16, 2015

7.6	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 624 Ratings

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michael1208Oct 17, 2015

Del Toro spends almost ten years to make his imaginative horror love story into the big screen, it works well as a periodic gothic romance thanks to its beautiful setting and sumptuous costumes yet falls short due to its predictable plot atDel Toro spends almost ten years to make his imaginative horror love story into the big screen, it works well as a periodic gothic romance thanks to its beautiful setting and sumptuous costumes yet falls short due to its predictable plot at the very opening of the film. It's a film full with paintings, dreams, terrifying fantasy and the addition of several modern types disturbing scares that really fit perfectly into the story but the supernatural are far more lesser than expected. Both Mia Wasikowska and Tom Hiddleston deliver solid performance while Jessica Chastain surprises audiences the most in which she is able to have fun expanding the full potential of her eerie character physically, mentally and emotionally well. Despite the disappointing story line and the CGIs of the spirits which look like those in Mama, this artistic and sombre film on a woman trapped in the social conventions is worth a watch for its creativity of combining both modern and classical elements.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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StaticSpineOct 17, 2015

A surprisingly disturbing, grim and moody movie with superb visuals. The good cast is there too. The story may not be the most original and unexpected, though it has some scary and disgusting moments. If you value the downbeat atmosphere inA surprisingly disturbing, grim and moody movie with superb visuals. The good cast is there too. The story may not be the most original and unexpected, though it has some scary and disgusting moments. If you value the downbeat atmosphere in movies, you should give this one a go.… Expand

7 of 7 users found this helpful70

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AuraSilverskyOct 16, 2015

I was highly disappointed in this film. It does not deliver. Romance is completely mislabeled as, at best, you could call most of the 'romantic' relationships between character's abusive or obsessive. What few lines are meant to be sweetI was highly disappointed in this film. It does not deliver. Romance is completely mislabeled as, at best, you could call most of the 'romantic' relationships between character's abusive or obsessive. What few lines are meant to be sweet sound like drivel out of a bad smut novel. The film starts wonderful but falls apart once the 'move' takes place. Characters, like the plot, just sort of disappear at that point. It's illogical, the plot doesn't make sense, and a lot of the end feels rushed and a little worthless - much like the character of Thomas Sharpe - who is a bumbling fool that does a good job of convincing other people he's got some worth when he's as worthless as the crumbling manor they live in. The only reason I gave this as high a score as I did is because the sets, the cinematography, and the costumes are all lovely to look at. The plot is just completely awful.… Expand

2 of 9 users found this helpful27

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quincytheodoreOct 16, 2015

The bleeding snow and gothic ambiance produce a good horror spectacle, but the haunting simply follows lady in creepy dress formula.

Comparison is bound to made with Pan's Labyrinth, since Crimson Peak has Del Toro's trademark twistedThe bleeding snow and gothic ambiance produce a good horror spectacle, but the haunting simply follows lady in creepy dress formula.

Comparison is bound to made with Pan's Labyrinth, since Crimson Peak has Del Toro's trademark twisted fairy tale feel and desolated last century setting. It is a peculiarly and aesthetically pleasing horror, but the clash between romance and thriller is neither as bold nor magical as previous incursion. The simplistic nature works more like The Woman in Black, although Del Toro's presentation does separate it from other entities.

The plot revolves around Edith (Mia Wasikowska) who is charmed by Thomas Sharpe (Tom Hiddleston) in the first act. After she's drawn to their lives, she discovers that Sharpe siblings might just hide some ominous secrets. It's a straightforward deceit and debauchery story with a few rather daunting apparitions thrown into the mix.

The first noticeable edge Crimson Peak has is the flamboyant style of visual. Those who have watched Hellboy 2 or Pan's Labyrinth should be familiar with this graphical flair. The colors are splendidly painted, nearly every scenes have bleak backdrop yet glossy golden or scarlet undertone. Either it's from outlandish outfits or clever use of vista, the scenes where these characters interact appear nearly surreal.

Tom Hiddleston creates a suave gentleman persona who also seems secretive and distant at times. Jessica Chastain as Lucille, the sister, is very unnerving. She's almost oozing sinister air, which is complimented well by her typical dark dress, and also a good contender for Disney lady villain. Compared to the two, Mia Wasikowska as the female lead is rather timid. She's not entirely bad, but some of her expressions don't convey the necessary dread.

This also translates to the horror. Crimson Peak has one of the creepiest apparitions on romance themed movies, a couple of its scenes might just surpass full-fledged horror movies in recent times. However, the reaction from Edith is shockingly dull, almost seemingly lacking self-preservation instinct despite visited by constant nocturnal phantoms.

I don't care how suave Tom Hiddleston can make excuses, the mansion has hole on the roof. While it's good for panoramic shots for falling leaves or snow, it’s a clear sign of hazard. There are also patches of blood-stained dirt that seeps through the living room. Those anomalies coupled with strange occurrences and screams of night terror, Edith should realize the danger sooner, but in too many scenes she's too oblivious, partially for the sake of plot.

Crimson Peak is a strange marriage of romance and horror. Both aspects have glimpses of brilliance, yet they never culminate in conclusion beyond what other ghost stories have told. Having benefit of classy presentation and eerie atmosphere, it's still a highly presentable horror flick. However, for those looking for another grand tale or magical journey from Del Toro, Crimson Peak might not reach such zenith.… Expand

4 of 5 users found this helpful41

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DamionOct 16, 2015

Del Toro officially loses any and all confidence I had in him as a director as he managed to follow up the disastrous "Pacific Rim," easily one of 2013's worst movies, with yet another epic failure.

Even beautiful costumes and CharlieDel Toro officially loses any and all confidence I had in him as a director as he managed to follow up the disastrous "Pacific Rim," easily one of 2013's worst movies, with yet another epic failure.

Even beautiful costumes and Charlie Hunman cannot save how ridiculous this film is.

Not scary in even the most remote sense of the word, no logic in the production design, no real logic in the narrative. Just scene after scene of eye-rolling...and thinking "Doesn't she feel she needs a sweater?"

No, it's not a horror film in the least, but it is most certainly horrific.… Expand

2 of 10 users found this helpful28

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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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fool0117Oct 16, 2015

Exceeded my expectations. The film was perfectly cast and everything about the movie (wardrobe, scenery, visuals etc.) just looked great . Of course, being a Guillermo Del Toro film, Ron Perlman made a surprise cameo as the house.

6 of 7 users found this helpful61

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bafordOct 16, 2015

I went into this movie expecting a "classic" oriented plot and genuine horror, and the film lived up to my expectations. Guillermo Del Toro does not rely on cheap scare tactics found in most horror movies (i.e. "pop out" scenes, over the topI went into this movie expecting a "classic" oriented plot and genuine horror, and the film lived up to my expectations. Guillermo Del Toro does not rely on cheap scare tactics found in most horror movies (i.e. "pop out" scenes, over the top gore, etc.) but rather focuses on character development and the plot itself. This film does a great job of making the audience care about the characters and tells a good story. I wasn't so much scared in the traditional sense that I lose sleep at night; but more so that I connected with the characters and felt their suspense. The well developed characters and intriguing plot set up the viewer's emotions for the scary scenes. You may not necessarily come home from Crimson Peak and lose any sleep at night, but if you like a good story you will be satisfied and hope that Hollywood goes more in this direction with horror than it does most modern day horror flicks.… Expand

6 of 9 users found this helpful63

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TrilobiteGOct 16, 2015

It's certainly flawed in dreary dialogue and a slight extinguish of intrigue during the second act, but crimson peak is a solid, and decaying, romance chiller (rather than a thriller...this was more "depressive" let's say) and was filled withIt's certainly flawed in dreary dialogue and a slight extinguish of intrigue during the second act, but crimson peak is a solid, and decaying, romance chiller (rather than a thriller...this was more "depressive" let's say) and was filled with gorgeous scenery and visual imagery that had a firm grasp around the majority of this film's weaknesses. Sometimes it didn't know where it was going, but I guess the sickly aura of this film and it's calm uneasiness brings about the fact that love is indeed a cruel and bitter ghost.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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