Crimson Peak: Against

Robyn mentions in her review of this film that if the makers of Crimson Peak had concentrated more on the main character’s life and career struggles, then Crimson Peak would have been a better film. I couldn’t agree more; taking this film in a completely different direction would definitely have been a good decision. Unfortunately, director Guillermo del Toro had different plans.

To give a brief overview, Mia Wasikowska plays headstrong aspiring author Edith Cushing, a young American heiress whose father’s money is coveted by one Sir Thomas Sharpe (Tom Hiddleston). Edith and Thomas take a shine to each other, her dad gets brutally murdered, so Edith moves to Allerdale Hall (affectionately known as Crimson Peak) with new husband Thomas and his weird sister Lucille (Jessica Chastain). Edith soon suspects that Thomas and weird Lucille aren’t being as open and honest about their family history as they should be, and decides to investigate.

Now, if that was the whole plot, I’m sure it’d make a great film. But rather than leave it as it is, del Toro very randomly decided to make this a ghost story. For no reason whatsoever. Or if there is a reason, other than an attempt to appeal to a mainstream audience for better sales, then I can’t find it. The ghosts add nothing to this film other than some swanky special effects and maybe a jump or two – that’s if you’re not too busy laughing at how bad the film is. I can’t emphasise enough how the supernatural element to this film, in my opinion, utterly destroys any potential the film may have had to be a success. The ghosts do nothing to enhance the plot, they do nothing to make the film scary, they do nothing but groan and wave their arms about in red gunge and detract from the mildly-less-uninteresting family drama. Although – without giving away any spoilers – the family drama is just as weird, unexplored, unexplained and weird.

Just in case I’ve been a little harsh on the film, I will say that the production elements and quality really are great. It’s just such a shame that the narrative is such a mish-mash of genre that not even the beautiful designs by Thomas E. Sanders can save it. Cinematically, Allerdale Hall is a wonderous cinematic feat that is reminiscent of Eel Marsh House in James Watkins’ The Woman in Black.

All in all, the film is an enormous dud; I honestly do not understand how a film so hilariously awful has achieved such critical acclaim. Watch it and you’ll see what I mean.*

*Genuinely, do not bother watching this film. Just google a picture of Allerdale Hall (it really is very pretty) and then watch The Woman in Black instead.