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Director: Guillermo del Toro

Writers: Guillermo del Toro, Matthew Robbins

Runtime: 119 mins

Main Cast:

• Tom Hiddleston as Sir Thoams Sharpe
• Jessica Chastain as Lady Lucille Sharp
• Mia Wasikowska as Edith Cushing
• Charlie Hunnam as Dr. Alan McMichael

Review: by Erika T

I would say I’m a fan of Guillermo Del Toro’s work.  From Pan’s Labyrinth to Blade 2 to Hellboy (the second one in particular). Over the years I think he’s created some really cool and gnarly creatures that are often hard to forget.  After learning of the cast of this film I had high expectations that Crimson Peak could be something special.  I also remembered a trailer over the summer that I got to experience with Google Cardboard from San Diego Comic Con.  That really hyped me up for this one.

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Sir Thomas Sharpe (played by Tom Hiddleston) enters the life of the young and ambitious Edith Cushing (played by Mia Wasikowska).  Unable to resist his charms, they soon marry and he takes her back to his estate in the remote English hills.  He shares the decrepit mansion with his sister, Lady Lucille (played by Jessica Chastain), who guards her brother and their family’s dark secrets.  With the ability to communicate with the dead, Edith has been receiving warnings about this place throughout her life.  She tried to uncover the mystery behind the haunting visions she gets within her new home.  As the truth unfolds, the real enemy may not be of the undead variety.

What I Liked:

I thought they setting was effectively creepy.  From beginning to end, I was engaged with everything happening on screen.  I thought Tom Hiddleston and Jessica Chastain were the strongest parts of the film, but Mia Wasikowska and Charlie Hunnam were pretty good.  While they don’t overdo it with violence or gore I thought they captured a couple of brutal scenes really well.  There were a lot of gasps in the crowd at certain times.  There were some funny moments as well which broke away from the overall serious tone.  I loved the designs of the ghosts.  I knew we’d be in for something cool if Del Toro had his hands in it.

What I Didn’t Like:

While the setting was creepy I don’t think the film was as scary as it could have or should have been.   I don’t really think it’s because I’m desensitized either.  The plotline felt recycled.  Certain twists and turns were disappointing for me because I was expecting more after all the build up.  In the end there were few surprises.  I wouldn’t say the film was boring, but there could have been more tension all throughout.

You can find more of Erika’s work here at Your Urban Fantasy

Images Courtesy of IMDB