[Review] Crimson Peak (2015)

cast: Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain, Tom Hiddleston, Jim Beaver, Charlie Hunnam

director: Guillermo del Toro

“Ghosts are real, that much I know. I’ve seen them all my life…”

From the acclaimed director of “Pan’s Labyrinth” and “Hellboy” comes “Crimson Peak“, more of a romantic Gothic tale than a full fledged horror flick, taking its cues from “Jane Eyre” and “Wuthering Heights”. Guillermo del Toro spared no expense on the cinematography, decor, aesthetics and costumes, the look of the movie adding to the suspense and the macabre as well as establishing a firm connection with the audience on the romance and character development, but as a movie goer, one asks himself… is it a worthy cinema experience?

The plot follows Edith (Mia Wasikowska), a young burgeoning writer from New York who catches the eye of the suave baronet Thomas Sharpe (Tom Hiddleston) much the chagrin of her father (Jim Beaver). It’s a simple tale of a hard labor of love at first but del Toro sets in motion a tragic tale between his heroine and the Sharpe siblings who came to seek financing in the New World. The script doesn’t linger on constructing too much exposition, delving straight into the hypothetical gruesome past of the Sharpe family. You guess from the get go their intentions are not noble but you’re caught in the narrative and suspense. Once the stage has been set, Edith’s journey becomes a struggle of survival inside a haunted mansion.

As far as the cast choices goes, Tom Hiddleston, the rising British start of the past four years plays a part he’s well accustomed with yet adding nuances, influenced by the brooding characters of acclaimed romantic and Gothic works. One moment he’s putting on a show similar to Ralph Fiennes’ Heathcliff, the next, he is charming his way a la Mr. Rochester. Is a good game from an actor who is still demonstrating his versatility. There are times when one could argue he’s back into the role of the sibling left in the shadow but Hiddleston navigates through the part of Thomas Sharpe with dedicated sensibility and enough room to portray a conflicted character, an idealist who lost his way yet remains caught inside the sicking mansion, body and soul.

Jessica Chastain delivers a strong performance, without delving into the forbidden land of spoilers, we would says, she’s the character you have and will be compelled to follow. Cold blooded and calculated, Lady Lucille Sharpe is the brain of duo – Thomas obviously being the heart. Mia Wasikowska stays away from the predictable part of a damsel in distress yet capturing the fragile and open nature of a tragic heroine. Perhaps there was room for more scenes for Jim Beaver and Charlie Hunnam, the two actors being delegated to small appearances with little substance.

“Crimson Peak” is a win for Guillermo del Toro and his crew. A dark, tragic tale of lost souls and forbidden passion, capturing the soul of productions such as “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” and proving there’s more to a ghost tale than haunted mansions and blood and gore.

Edge and Back: 8/10