Crimson Peak
Aaron Hendrix

Review by Aaron Hendrix Patron

Crimson Peak

2015
★★★★ Liked

Watched 16 Oct 2015

Crimson Peak is an engaging and well shot film with spectacular costume and set design. Tom Hiddleston shines the brightest and it helps that he is given the most to work with. Mia Wasikowska is fine, though she feels more like a vessel for the audiences' reaction to this increasingly twisted tale. Lastly, Jessica Chastain is good, but I felt myself unable to really engage with the character as her horrendous British accent was really off-putting.

The story, though, is the true star of the show; with twists and turns as labyrinthine as the decrepit titular house, Del Toro, Robbins, and Coxon weave an excellent narrative. It's nothing we haven't seen before, but it's nonetheless well told. It helps that the film ends with a bang in a spectacularly gory and chilling climax.

I also feel the need to point out that, despite the trailers' insistence that this is a horror film, Crimson Peak is firmly rooted in romance. Its gothic art direction and creepy ghosts help add a bit of horror spice, but if you go in thinking this is strict horror, you will be disappointed. I give Crimson Peak a 4/5 stars; despite its unspectacular performances (barring the ever excellent Hiddleston) the film's narrative and costume/set design are worth the price of admission.

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