Review of Crimson Peak (2015) by Kristina W — 30 Oct 2015

EDIT: Upon 2nd viewing, I feel like maybe my initial disappointment was a product of my expectations. I didn't mind the plot nearly as much (though there are still glaring plot holes/development issues), and the acting seemed more nuanced. I won't change my score but thought it was worth noting.

A 5 for the visuals and atmosphere, maybe a 3 for the performances, and a 2 for the plot.

As a lover of haunted house stories, this one is richly beautiful with gross, eerie ghosts. The costumes are impeccably perfect for this film (Mia's gauzy dresses and Tom and Jessica's fine tailoring and high collars). And I love the imagery: the bugs, leaves, clay, snow and eventually blood. And the performances work in this setting, with everyone inhabiting their roles for the most part.

But the story! With everything I've read about the production, I had so much wanted a nice rich story to match the atmosphere. And sadly, it's not there. There are a lot of callbacks (Jane Eyre, Frankenstein, Rebecca, Notorious, maybe even a touch of Wuthering Heights) and the use of color strongly reminded me of Dario Argento's work. But the parts of the plot that work are all lifted from those (better) stories. This movie is worth seeing for the astonishing visuals, but it's ultimately very much style over substance.