Crimson Peak
Just in time for Halloween spooky film watching
If you’re a fan of all things ghostly or Gothic, then this dark fantasy mystery will be right up your haunted street. It’s a delightful watch for the sheer inventive visuals alone, and just in time for Halloween spooky film watching too.
Edith, a young female writer gets swept up by the charming yet mysterious arrival of Sir Thomas Sharpe, so much so that it’s clear she’ll follow his every word back to the crumbling characteristic Allerdale house in England. It’s inhabited by Thomas, his creepy sister Lucille and unwelcome inhabitants that do their best to make Edith leave.
Guillermo del Toro has a knack for all things dark and intriguing; this is another twisted fairy-tale, but more of a ghost story to rack up the thrills. The look of this movie is worth the watch; truly, from grand ballroom dances to a creaking broken horror house, this film fits right in with that cold chill of October. I can only say that the visuals outweigh the storytelling, which is a proper shame for a director and genius mind like del Toro’s.
The plot seems to have been metaphorically pushed down to the bottom of the forbidden basement of Allerdale Hall to make room for the, as mentioned dark and beautiful visuals. There are some predictable moments and the characters are quite thin, apart from Lucille who stands out as a strong female character with an evil passion burning throughout.
It may have that classic style over substance issue but please, if you like tense and ghostly stories then this film is for you and if you don’t then go watch it anyway to see how creatively different a movie can look!
7/10
