Review - Crimson Peak

From the offset, Crimson Peak puts itself in it's place. "Ghosts are real – this much I know...". This is the voice of young Edith Cushing, played by Alice in Wonderland's Mia Wasikowska. In the first scene we see Edith as a child, in bed, afraid of a banging outside of her bedroom. The incredibly well CGI-ed ghostly figure that haunts her is that of her late mother, coming to warn her of "Crimson Peak". 

We then skip to Edith, a young, headstrong woman from Buffalo who's aspirations are only to become a successful writer. Surrounded by the pressures of finding love at an early age and settling down, she brushes such pressures aside and acclaims herself as a strong individual, whose own goals come before that of any man. In comes Thomas Sharpe (Tom Hiddlestone - Avengers), a charismatic baronet who seeks the financial backing of none other than Edith's father, Carter Cushing (Jim Beaver - Supernatural, Dexter). Despite her desperate attempts, Edith succumbs to Thomas' charms. Her father though is wary, after refusing investment to Thomas' plans, the two share an unwelcome chemistry. 

And so to Crimson Peak, the household to Thomas Sharpe and his creepy sister Lucile (Jessica Chastain - Mama). After an untimely and frankly brutal loss in the family, Edith moves in with Thomas and co, unaware of her new surroundings' chilling secrets. As well as rotting walls and strange siblings, Crimson Peak is also home to a host of very familiar looking ghosts. 

Edith can't help but explore her new home, and quickly comes across some extremely dark corners to Crimson Peak. New ghosts haunt her wherever she roams, and it seems the undead don't mean to scare Edith, but to warn her, just as her late mother did all those years ago.

Charlie Hunnam (Pacific Rim) joins the star-studded cast as Edith's friend and young doctor, Alan Michael. He acts as a parachute for Miakowska's Edith, always there should her strong sense of character not pull her through; which nine times out of ten, it does. He also adds as another red herring to the ever-growing plot line. 

Aside from the brilliant storytelling and the nothing-short-of stainless acting, Del Toro and his team have created a visually stunning and encapsulating thriller. The house itself feels alive, the way it seems to breath as a gust flows through it, and the way it seems to bleed as the snow falls through its rotting ceiling onto the velvety clay-sodden ground below.

At the heart of the movie is a tale of horror, but not one set by the dead souls that haunt Edith. It's the twisted tale of her new husband and seemingly-deranged sister Lucille (who Chastain creates fantastically) that makes it's mark. The final showdown is one of graphic brilliance, and really shows off Del Toro's already established film making genius. 

Crimson Peak isn't your standard horror or thriller, it's more a gothic romance. Nonetheless, it's brilliant. It contains some killer performances, awesome set design, and plot twists that'll make you think twice about ever dreaming of Tom Hiddleston again.