By Melissa Antoinette Garza
Many horror fans have been criticizing CRIMSON PEAK (2015)because of the way it was advertised. Much like the PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES (2016), the American trailer misleads the viewers by publicizing it as a straight-up horror. Where as PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES is more of a dark comedy, CRIMSON PEAK is a romantic drama with ghosts. The film isn’t scary, but the movie doesn’t deserve the negativity it’s getting. I understand the dismay of those who went in expecting something like the EVIL DEAD(1981). Instead, the tone is similar to BRAM STOKER’S DRACULA (1992).
To be perfectly honest, I rented this because of Tom Hiddleston. He’s one actor that I would watch in anything. He won me over with his portrayal of Loki in THOR (2011). Then, I saw THE DEEP BLUE SEE (2011) and was blown away. His versatility and ability to be absorbed by the role he plays, really appealed to me.
Admittedly, the man is gorgeous; but I’ve never been, nor will I ever be someone who will watch a movie just for a pretty face. In fact, I hate when films use stunning models who have zero acting ability. It’s happening more and more; so it’s refreshing to see someone like Hiddleston who encompasses the triple threat and the much desired IT Factor. I anxiously await seeing him portray the tortured artist, Hank Williams Sr. in I SAW THE LIGHT (2015).
CRIMSON PEAK is another production that allows Hiddleston to shine. It begins with Edith (Mia Wasikowska) who loses her mother when she is only a child. One night, the ghost comes back and warns her to stay away from Crimson Peak.
To the film’s credit, it didn’t make the well-meaning spirits beautiful. Instead, they appeared the way they did when they died. Her mother was a skeletal mess with a dark voice that would do nothing but petrify Edith, which it did.
This begs the question, couldn’t the ghost mom be more loving towards Edith? The visuals were fantastic and the imagery was worth every penny spent to rent the movie, but it doesn’t make much sense.
The ghosts seem to still understand their place and what their purpose is, but rather than being so creepy, the mother could have just said, “Hey Edith! It’s mom. I know I look terrifying, sorry about that. Steer clear of Crimson Peak.”
Well, while that question remains unanswered, the movie goes on.
Years later, Edith is a writer who idolizes Mary Shelley. Her high-class father gets her a meeting with a publisher who dislikes the ghosts in her story and wants a romance within it. She attempts to say that the ghost is a metaphor for the past, but the man remains uninterested.
There’s a few issues I have with this aspect of the plot. I can’t decide whether the existence of this book can be described better as very meta or just as extreme foreshadowing.
Now, there are other explanations. Perhaps, her mother’s warning of a future event was to imply that everything we do is predetermined. This is an interesting theory and could have been developed more within the film. Her book, very well could have been, her autobiography without her knowing it. Premonitions and exploring the reason for deja vu would have made for a stronger story.
Instead, it feels as if the movie intended the plot of her book to be a subtle coincidence, but it’s actually a hammer to the head. In this instance, the movie spoke down to the audience and simplified something that could have really made Crimson Peak something really special.
Moving on, one day Edith is typing her manuscript when Thomas Sharpe (Tom Hiddleston) enters. He arrives to see her father, Carter Cushing (Jim Beaver) and discuss a machine he hopes they’ll invest in. Carter dislikes Thomas. He can’t put his finger on it, but refuses to do business with him.
Thomas is disappointed but takes a liking to Edith. They begin dating much to the chagrin of Carter. He bribes both Thomas and his odd and cold sister, Lucille (Jessica Chastain) to get out of town.
It hurts Thomas to do so but he breaks Edith’s heart. The next day, someone brutally murders Carter and Thomas comes clean about the bribe. Not having anyone, Edith runs away and marries Thomas. They escape to the house he shares with Lucille. Once there, she finds out that the property is called Crimson Peak. The memories of her ghost mom’s warning stands out. When red ghosts emerge within the house and she enters rooms that Lucille advised her to stay out of, she decides she wants to leave, but she’s too ill to go.
In the end, Thomas must choose between Lucille and Edith. The choice will have life or death consequences for all involved.
To be fair, the acting was great and the cast perfectly fit their roles. The setting was beautiful and it was easy to get wrapped up in the visuals and room dressings. It had a quick pace and successfully accomplishes what it intended to execute.
Call me greedy, but I wanted a bit more. I wonder how many deleted scenes there are. It feels like there was more to it, but the movie was overly-edited. Though, I haven’t seen any articles to confirm this, it does appear that the film had been rewritten quite a few times and then again when casting changes occurred.
Now, I do like the movie. It’s good, but it had the potential to be great. The biggest problem is that the filmmakers believe the movie is smarter than it is. There are comments made by characters during the movie which foreshadow events that come later on, but like the book, it’s not subtle. The discussions that come into play later are done with such fervor and emphasis, one can’t help but know not only that it’s going to come into play later, but how it will play out. In basic terms, it anticipates that the viewers are morons.
Still, it’s worth the watch. All the main characters have amazing chemistry together. The ghosts show how to utilize CGI properly. It certainly has its sexy moments which are very hot. The back stories and revelations throughout are done with great storytelling skills and fantastic delivery.
Last, but certainly not least, Guillermo del Toro both co-wrote and direct it. For that reason alone it’s a must see. If familiar with his work, one can easily make parallels with his other movies while still enjoying the originality of the set designs.
Scared Stiff Rating: 7/10
