Crimson Peak Movie Review

Mia Wasikowska stars in Crimson Peak

A Measure of Bitterness

Rotten Tomatoes Plot: When her heart is stolen by a seductive stranger, a young woman is swept away to a house atop a mountain of blood-red clay: a place filled with secrets that will haunt her forever. Between desire and darkness, between mystery and madness, lies the truth behind Crimson Peak. From the imagination of director Guillermo del Toro comes a supernatural mystery starring Tom Hiddleston, Jessica Chastain, Mia Wasikowska and Charlie Hunnam.

Wasikowska declares, "Ghosts are real. This much I know." Sadly, del Toro's ghosts aren't scary... at all. Nevertheless, Crimson Peak is elegant and relatively enjoyable to watch (minus any thrills.) Think of it as a "tip of the hat" to the Hammer Films of yesteryear, with a touch of Hitchcock tossed in for good sufficient measure. Chastain's a hoot (Hiddleston's good too) but the story (del Toro & Matthew Robbins) fails to build any suspense, yet alone match Dan Laustsen's superb cinematography. It's also predictable (to a fault) and provides more laughs (tea, anyone?) than chills. Proceed with caution.

Grade: C+