Review of Crimson Peak (2015) by Foxgrove — 21 Oct 2015

‘I’ve got to get out of her’ exclaims Mia Wasikowska for the third time in this hoary romantic horror, set in a creaky dilapidated mansion that is more ghastly than ghostly. ‘Haven’t we all’ I found myself muttering sarcastically. For all its beautiful gothic trappings and stunning costume design, the movie is a disappointing bore. Low on thrills but high on blood and gore, including one particularly nasty murder, the film is let down by a pedestrian story and unexceptional acting.

The much trumpeted Tom Hiddleston will have to do a lot better than this if he wishes to become one of today’s greats, and the usually reliable Jessica Chastain just doesn’t seem physically compatible in her role. She was actually scarier in ‘A Most violent year’. Mia Wasikowska fares marginally better but she doesn’t really have to do much more than turn up from scene to scene in another gorgeous frock.

Aside from the ravishing visuals in both costumes and Art-Direction, other pluses are a lush and melodic score and some impressive visual effects and make-up. Overall, though, this is a classic case of style over substance. Many scenes, especially those involving Jessica Chastain, come over as campy, eliciting many an unintentional laugh. At two hours, however, one isn’t laughing for long.