Crimson Peak (2015) Review

"A house as old as this one, in time, becomes a living thing." 

It’s not outlandish to say that Crimson Peak is Guillermo del Toro’s baby. Conceived in fits of madness and passion, it bears much resemblance to its horror-obsessed father. Infused with a sense of gothic styling, this baby quickly transforms into a monster, baring its fully-grown teeth and lashing out in violent outbursts at the audience. For those who think the film might skimp on its horror, you’d be severely mistaken, as all manner of gory ghosts, blood-dripping apparitions and axe-wielding killers bombard the screen. The film truly benefits from this commitment to horror; every visual is stylishly constructed to evoke pure fear, every performance from its cast brimming with sinister undertones and executed with a chilling delivery.

Starring Mia Wasikowska, the film centres on Edith Cushing – daughter of self-made industrialist, Carter Cushing (Jim Beaver) – who is haunted by her ghost mother, warning her to ‘beware of Crimson Peak’. Edith’s fascination with ghosts, however, attracts the attention of Sir Thomas Sharpe (Tom Hiddleston), a visiting aristocrat who travels with his sister, Lady Lucille Sharpe (Jessica Chastain). The Sharpes’ mysterious aura soon attracts the attention of Dr. Alan McMichael (Charlie Hunnam), and things quickly prove deadly.

Read the full review over on Concrete, which gives you the low-down on performances, style, themes and horrifying elements. 

Hope you enjoy the review. Also, Kristiana Sizinceva did an amazing illustration for the print version of this review, which you can see below. Seriously an amazing job.

Illustrator; Kristiana Sizinceva. 

You can check out the theatrical trailer for Crimson Peak, below: 

Melissa x