A lot of the complaints about this movie I've seen come from the misconception that this is a horror movie. Horror and everything Gothic are absolutely related, but they are not the same. The point of this movie isn't to scare, it's to unsettle and provoke thought. We see characters butting up against the supernatural, against other people, against desires, and misconceptions, and fears, and then working through those things. The house itself is another character provoking the main three and shaping the narrative. And as a Gothic, this movie is practically a love letter. The music, the colors, everything about the composition and the writing sink the viewer into the world. It is absolutely, definitely not chewing gum for the brain, but you can still watch it just to have a fun, creepy time.

**Spoilers beyond this point**

We know from the start that there's something very wrong about the Sharpes, but we still want to know what, AND we still care about Thomas Sharpe, despite the implications. The twisted relationship between the siblings, and I do actually mean the psychological one, not the physical, it remarkably well written. It's intense and raw and thoroughly disturbing. For people complaining about the incest-- it was right there in the trailer, and you missed it. It's also a common theme in this genre, one used to strengthen and further the plot of the movie. Maybe people with less familiarity with Gothics might enjoy this less. I think it'd be a fun way to get to know the genre.

Unfortunately “Crimson Peak” is underrated by audiences, due in large part to being marketed as a horror film, rather than a gothic romance with strong horror elements. Frequently Del Toro’s best films are genre defying hybrids, so this should not come as any great surprise. It is unfortunate though, because Crimson Peak is an intriguing film that deserves to be seen.

In many ways, Crimson Peak is a throwback to the gothic horrors of 1950s and 1960s, for example the output of Hammer studios and especially the Roger Corman’s Edgar Allen Poe films. Any fan of those will find a lot to enjoy here.

If you’re looking for the body horror, torture porn or jump scares prevalent in modern franchises like the “Saw” or “Conjuring” films, you’ll be disappointed. There are brief gory and violent moments in “Crimson Peak”, but the movie is more concerned with atmosphere and story than being scary. “Crimson Peak” has atmosphere galore and art direction on a par with GdT’s very best films.

As for Arrow’s limited Blu-ray edition, the packaging alone is almost worth the price of admission. The packaging is very attractive and includes a hardbound book, a poster and postcards. The presentation is easily up to the standard of previous Arrow limited editions and will look great sitting in anybody’s collection. Add in the excellent film and the abundance of special features, and purchasing this seems like a no brainer for fans of GdT or gothic horror.

First off, I have to say this is a stunningly gorgeous movie, at least in parts. Other times, it is visually stunning, but probably “gorgeous” would not be the best word to apply. The costumes are spectacular, the Crimson Peak estate is beyond fantastic, and the photography is magnificent. The earlier scenes, in particular, are bathed in a rich, golden glow. It is reminiscent of an old sepia print, but with brilliant tints. But then, the movie becomes darker, much darker.

If you’ve read and loved any old gothic novels, you will recognize the plot of this movie. It’s the one about the wealthy young woman (Mia Wasikowska) , left alone in the world (here through disturbing circumstances), and obviously falling for the wrong man, an English baronet with title and with mansion but without cash. We know from the start that he is too smooth, too slick and not what he seems, but to her, at least, he’s more interesting that her wannabe boyfriend. Who can explain love?

She has a secret, as well – she can see ghosts. One of them, her very spooky dead mother, makes a startling appearance to warn her to “beware of Crimson Peak.”

By the way, I know that’s what she said because I replayed the scene over and over until I could make it out. And I only recognized the words “Crimson Peak” because, well, that is the title of the movie. Really, if you are going to have a sinister warning, shouldn’t it be intelligible?

So off she goes to the isolated estate, where no one can hear her scream. Frankly, I would have thought a bit longer before I rushed off to marry the guy because of his very possessive and domineering sister (Jessica Chastain); the brother may really love the woman, or he may just be a superficially charismatic schemer, but the sister just comes across as a schemer, and neither a charismatic nor a pleasant schemer. She has “in-law trouble” written all over her, and, worse, the three are going to be living together. Alone. Just the three of them. Day after day. That seems like trouble enough.

And then the estate. You know those creepy old mansions in old movies? Those are kiddy playhouses compared to this place. The scope and detail are a visual feast. But then she finds out that the place is nicknamed “Crimson Peak.” Woman, your mother came back from the dead to warn you. Run, run, you fool. Oh, but then we would have had a very short movie.

There are a lot of spooky and often gruesome moments (she still sees dead people, and they are not pretty – so don’t watch this while eating dinner, like I did).

At this point, the pace slows. S-l-o-o-w-s. But it picks up again and builds to an epic battle of good versus evil. Well, maybe not epic since there’s no cast of thousands, but quite stunning, nonetheless.

So, final verdict: A darn good movie; unforgettable. Not the greatest movie I’ve ever seen, although one of the most visually amazing. I had to go back and watch it again later. The plot is pure gothic novel, all dark romanticism. But all in all, it was very enjoyable and well worth a watch, or, in my case, two. I especially enjoy the novelty of having not one, but two, strong women in one movie. Yes, two! Quick, name all the other movies made in the past 60 years with two strong female characters.

I’m probably going back to watch it a third time.

So, for a few years I'd read Jane Eyre every summer, because even if there were things I didn't like about the story (including the too-convenient ending), I liked the sensible heroine and the uneasy atmosphere. Once I got to college, I fell in love with Flannery O'Connor and Southern Gothic. Either way, I've always loved a well-written tragedy- the classic kind where you can see the characters speeding toward a doom that they built out of their own hopes and flaws.

For me, at least, Crimson Peak works on all those levels: eerie settings, people who keep deadly secrets and follow their flaws to the death (or at least fail to fix them in time to stop the tragedy), terrible things in beautiful, decaying settings. Anyone can see where most of the story is heading (although I didn't expect a lot of the things that happened during the last thirty minutes or so, which was a nice surprise), but it's all so solidly in character that the story works. If you're looking for a ghost story, keep walking- sure, there are ghosts, but all the horror comes from the things that the living characters have done. But if you've ever read and enjoyed anything Gothic, or you're just crazy about (very,very) flawed characters, there's a good chance you'll love this as much as I did.

What happens when you give writers and Directors a bunch of money and let them try to be like their favorite creative heroes? You get films like Crimson Peak, which is so derivative, its offensive. It looks like a ripoff of "The Changeling", or "Hell House" or "The Haunting".
Stephen King, in a promotional interview, called this movie "(expletive) terrifying." Really Stephen? There's more scares in a Target commercial! C'mon! Enough disingenuous flattery among peers. This movie looks good, but it not Gothic romance or Gothic horror , or Gothic anything!
What's the first thing a homeowner does when they buy a house and winter is coming? They fix the roof! The entire movie the roof of the house is off! And why are there butterflies everywhere? And no one, not even Gullermo Del Toro builds a house on top of a mine! Why? Well, like this movie, there's no foundation.

Crimson Peak is a ghost story wrapped in a love story. It takes place during the Victorian age as heiress Edith Cushing (Mia Wasikowska) marries Thomas Sharpe (Tom Hiddleston) and goes to live in his rundown estate with his sister Lucille (Jessica Chastain). There’s a curse that comes with the Sharpe family. It’s very good because it really works on the story instead of just going for the scares and was another fine movie by Guillermo del Toro.

The movie has a good pace. A ghostly figures shows up once or twice at the start to let you know what the story is about and then slowly explains why they exist. It doesn’t hit you over the head with it. The Sharpe mansion is also a giant Gothic beast making it the perfect setting.

The ghosts also have a purpose to them which is different from the usual fare. They serve as a warning instead of trying to kill people.

Most importantly the movie is all about the story. It doesn’t go for cheap thrills and scares. That’s thanks to del Toro who really excels at these types of films.
C

This is a truly remarkable movie, going far out on a limb with story elements from 19th and 20th century Gothic romantic suspense. Visually, it's breathtaking, and filled with unexpected beauty, even in its darkness.

The story beats are perfect. They'll more than meet the expectations of fans of fiction by Victoria Holt, Phyllis Whitney, Dorothy Eden, and Mary Stewart.

But, this story isn't locked into the "helpless woman" model of the past. Despite a very credible 19th-century setting, the women in this eerie story show strength and power, as well as normal (not gender-specific) moments of weakness. Until the very end, viewers won't be certain how the story ends, and who will survive the harsh extremes of Crimson Peak.

The art direction is spectacular. The costumes, makeup, and set design are tremendous. The casting... pure genius.

If you like Gothic romances, I think you'll love everything about this film.

I have to admit I really expected magic and horror to be more of a thing in this movie but as Edith, the aspiring novelist main character says of her own book, it's more of a story that has ghosts in it. This is a movie about Edith and the difficulties of her relationship with Thomas and his sister Lucille. It just happens to also have ghosts and a living house and a dash of horror. But I think that's what makes it shine. That the non-magical parts of the story are so solid and engrossing. The rare jump scare from a ghost just isn't as important as the deeper horror that maybe Thomas doesn't love Edith or, worse in a way, that he might. This by the way isn't a spoiler, all of this is set up right away, even the first ghost appears in the first scene. This is a very honest film. It's not about surprising you, it's about making you enjoy the journey. You are going to suspect every twist and turn within the first half hour, the pleasure is in never being exactly sure which elemental emotion is going to win out.

Speaking of enjoying the journey, it is worth mentioning that all the actors do their work magnificently. The acting is great in this film. Jessica Chastain in particular pulls out all the stops and sucks you in with her emotional pageantry. You're never left in doubt or confusion about how any of the characters are feeling, even when they are obfuscating it quite well. It makes the whole movie flow smooth.

On the less excellent side, there are definitely some plot holes and refrigerator moments in this story. Some actions make minimal sense. Some warnings are just dumb. This isn't the movie to watch for plot perfection. This is the movie to watch for mood and theme. It is, in the end, a gothic tale about the emotional horrors of living in a brooding place under less than ideal conditions. The logical thing would always be just to leave or never go in the first place. That sort of concern just has to be left behind at the previews otherwise you can't possibly enjoy it.