Just like the horror genre as a whole, Gothic tales of murder and supernatural mayhem have their own set of themes and tropes that are commonly used to tell the story at hand. In Crimson Peak, director Guillermo del Toro (Pacific Rim, Hellboy) adheres to nearly all of them. Yet, despite the many tried-and-true story beats and haunting images, the film executes its narrative so artfully and meticulously that it warrants del Toro’s effort.
Mia Wasikowska stars as Edith Cushing (a name which is itself likely an intentional nod to actor Peter Cushing, known for starring in Hammer horror films), a struggling writer who crosses paths with a mysterious siblings Thomas and Lucille Sharpe (Tom Hiddleston and Jessica Chastain). When Thomas and Edith fall in love, he whisks her away to the decaying estate he and his sister own, where a series of eerie occurrences lead Edith to suspect that the house carries with it a dark and deadly past.
That setup is a variation on decades of similarly themed films that came long before Crimson Peak, and accordingly, del Toro brings his own distinct flavor to those familiar elements. Rich, vibrant visuals — such as the red-soaked snowy landscape where the Sharpe estate sits — as well as del Toro’s signature knack for grotesque creature design nicely contrast with the intricate art direction and costumes of the film’s period setting, even if the plot is somewhat predictable throughout.
As for the cast, Wasikowska proves yet again why she is one of the most underrated actresses working today. Despite being best known as the lead in Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland (a role she’ll reprise in next year’s sequel), she has consistently delivered one impressive performance after another in smaller films like Stoker, The Double and Only Lovers Left Alive. Likewise, Hiddleston — in a role where he is just as deceptive as Loki himself — is building a nice presence in major Hollywood roles, and Chastain (who appeared in the del Toro-produced Mama back in 2013) brings depth and dimension to a character who might have otherwise collapsed in on itself. She is fast developing into the next Meryl Streep, proving to nearly always be the best element of any scene she’s in.
In many ways, Crimson Peak is a straightforward and archetypal story that will feel a tad familiar to moviegoers who are drawn to stories of its kind. While it may not be the most imaginative of del Toro’s efforts, the film is spellbinding in its own right, dazzling viewers with a complete and utter grasp of tone, atmosphere and technical precision. From tiny details like the suspense-building screech of a spoon to the lush score by Fernando Velázquez, Crimson Peak would be an achievement for any director.
However, the realm of Gothic horror is nothing new for del Toro, who dabbled in it early in his career with 2001 Spanish-language thriller The Devil’s Backbone. Although Crimson Peak is not nearly as polished or stirring as Pan’s Labyrinth (still del Toro’s best), the film should please his fans and register as a well-made, if not particularly scary, exercise in horror for other moviegoers.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Crimson Peak stars Mia Wasikowska, Tom Hiddleston, Jessica Chastain, Charlie Hunnam, Jim Beaver, Leslie Hope, Burn Gorman and Doug Jones. It is directed by Guillermo del Toro.Follow Robert Yaniz Jr. on Twitter @CrookedTable! Click here for more Crooked Table reviews!