Crimson Peak

Now I went into this film with a lot of pre warning as it had been floating around in bits and bites for a while. I do think this may have both helped and hindered my experience of the film. I expected a lot of the more horror scenes but I had a better appreciation for what I was looking at.

That said, lets get to the film;

First of all I love the attention to detail, something Guillermo Del Toro is known for. This is seen in the set, all built on stage to make it feel real and it certainly did, it truly illustrates the way the house lives, breathes, talks and bleeds around the characters. The costumes were exquisite, it really did capture that lavish gothic look and the contrast between Edith’s (Mia Wasikowska) bright clothes, which in the haunting lighting of the house seem to glow and make her look out of place, and Thomas (Tom Hiddleston) and Lucille’s (Jessica Chastain) dark tones highlight the evil and good characters.

The acting, as expected from such a great cast, was amazing. Tom Hiddleston was charming and dangerous, still amazes me how a face can look both like a sad puppy and yet sinister in parts, keeping you on his side but questioning his intentions. Mia Wasikowska played Edith’s innocence, alongside her boldness, giving her this admirable purity of heart. Finally Jessica Chastain played Lucille with every dark element she had and it kept you wary, followed by haunting melodies and stoic sinister demeanour, you would almost wait for her to crack.

However, I do feel, despite the stunning and shocking visuals the major plot points were too readily given, it felt like the audience was being pointed directly to the answers, making it feel like it lacked mystery. I almost pray for a book to fill out some characters got brushed aside; Carter Cushing (Jim Beaver), Dr. Alan McMichael (Charlie Hunnam).

But here I am attempting to tell a great writer and director how it’s done, I could only hope to pull off a film as stunning as this. I think a second look is on the cards and from what i’v heard, this film is up for many a conflicted review.

#CrimsonPeake #film #tomhiddleston