A Gothic Masterpiece: 10 Years of ‘CRIMSON PEAK’ – Retro Review

Guillermo Del Toro is one of my favorite directors, and Crimson Peak is one of my all time favorite movies. I’ve watched it countless times over the years. It’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years this month since Crimson Peak was released to the world. Read on for why I love it so much, plus get some fun and interesting facts about the film.

After marrying the charming and seductive Sir Thomas Sharpe, young Edith (Mia Wasikowska) finds herself swept away to his remote gothic mansion in the English hills. Also living there is Lady Lucille, Thomas’ alluring sister and protector of her family’s dark secrets. Able to communicate with the dead, Edith tries to decipher the mystery behind the ghostly visions that haunt her new home. As she comes closer to the truth, Edith may learn that true monsters are made of flesh and blood.

Crimson Peak stars Mia Wasikowska (Stoker), Tom Hiddleston (Only Lovers Left Alive), Jessica Chastain (It Chapter Two), Charlie Hunnam (Sons of Anarchy), Jim Beaver (Supernatural) and Burn Gorman (Watcher).

One of the things that stand out for me in Crimson Peak are the lush visuals. The filmmakers used the color crimson red to great effect. The set design is absolutely gorgeous, with the crumbling Allerdale Hall being the film’s centerpiece. This is all perfectly complimented by the beautiful cinematography by Dan Laustsen.

This film is a showcase for the actors involved. Mia Wasikowska’s Edith, who wants to be her own woman and not conform to social norms, desires to be a writer. Tom Hiddleston’s Sir Thomas Sharpe, a Baronet trying to raise capital for a mining machine, becomes smitten with Edith, though his motives aren’t what they seem. There’s also the cold and murderous Lady Lucille Sharpe, played to perfection by Jessica Chastain. Last but not least is Dr Alan McMichaels (Charlie Hunnam), a young doctor who has held a crush on Edith since childhood. He tries to be a white knight but winds up as the damsel in distress when the film flips tropes and expectations on its head.

The ghosts in the film are creepy and unsettling, but are ultimately giving a chilling warning: Beware of Crimson Peak.

Now for some fun facts:

• The Allerdale Hall set was built entirely in the studio, although it had to be torn down after.
• When Guillermo Del Toro tried to sell Charlie Hunnam on the film, he told him he would be a damsel in distress. Hunnam was immediately sold.
• Guillermo Del Toro wanted the red in the film to look like a Technicolor Mario Bava flick.
• Jessica Chastain learned to play the piano and performed all her own music in the film. She had previously learned bass guitar for the Guillermo Del Toro-produced Mama.
• Guillermo Del Toro and Tom Hiddleston have both said this is the best film they’ve ever worked on.
• Benedict Cumberbatch and Emma Stone were originally set to play Thomas and Edith.