Introducing Crimson Peak – a love story featuring ghosts. Don’t get me wrong, ghosts are important in this film, but if you’re looking for a scene-to-scene nail-biting experience, this isn’t it. Director Guillermo del Toro does his usual fantastic work of bringing the scenes to life with stunning visuals and eerie creature-like ghosts, but the essence of Crimson Peak is in its complex love story shared across the main cast.
Mia Wasikowska (Alice in Wonderland, Jane Eyre, The Kids Are All Right) takes on the role of young Edith Cushing, an aspiring author with a history of haunting experiences who falls in love with Thomas Sharpe (Tom Hiddleston – Known mostly for his work as Loki, from the Thor series). Thomas, along with his sister Lucille (Jessica Chastain) represent the Sharpe estate, build a top a red clay mine that gives the dwelling its name – Crimson Peak.
The film is a fresh perspective on the classic Gothic Romance genre that had seemed to be forgotten in modern film making, and does well to present a compelling love story that will have you torn between characters and questioning who to love.
Del Toro has a delicate hand in the way he makes films, with Crimson Peak being no exception. Scenes are genuinely gut wrenching at points, with unexpected twists and jumps, leaving the audience either gasping or laughing in an effort to comprehend the chain of events.
Without giving too much away, it is uncommon for the audience to leave feeling sympathetic to the ghosts, but this film had me emotionally invested in the perceived villains.
Special mention goes to Chastain who did an incredible job playing the character of Lady Lucille Sharpe, an incredibly difficult to understand woman who had me on an emotional roller coaster.
All things considered. While the trailer may have been somewhat misleading, the film as a whole played out well and delivered an unexpected but still positive experience that will most likely be added to my re-watch list.
Crimson Peak opens in cinemas tomorrow.
