Review of Crimson Peak (2015) by Kjetil J — 03 Sep 2017

My problem is the ghosts. Maybe because they reminded me of Mama (produced by del Toro), and I don`t need to be reminded of Mama. I like beautiful sets as much as the next guy, but the movie loses all momentum when we arrive at the isolated mansion. The house should have been more of a character, with its creaks and shadows - the ghosts are a surplus to this environment. The director believes in them (he has had two encounters), and the question for him is not if but why they exist. They are here to help.

I think the movie would play better with just two ghost encounters: The effective early flashback - and the more angelic presence near the end. And, if you happen to be a friendly ghost - please don`t be cryptic - say Stay away from Allerdale Hall, that is what is written above the gate in large letters - not Crimson Peak.

Enough ghost ramblings! Tom Hiddleston does a decent flawed villain, and Mia Wasikowska is both a Gwyneth Paltrow damsel in distress and Lena Dunham six generations ago. Jessica Chastain was in Mama. I can forgive but never forget.

The real problem is me wanting another masterpiece - another Pan`s Labyrinth.

Or at least a classic horror moment - like the subway bug abduction of Mira Sorvino in Mimic.

One last sour note: Why do the villagers in the end come to the rescue? Maybe to work on the clay machine - but trudging happily for hours through a snowstorm, really? Was the house meant to be on fire? Why isn`t it? That would be the gothic thing to do. Where is Michael Bay when you need him? Or Roger Corman, preferably.