By Hillary Morgan | Digital Media Intern
I went into Crimson Peak expecting jump-scares and ghosts galore. However, what I got was a slow-burning, tension-filled, period thriller.
Set in the gothic period, Crimson Peak seemingly follows the formula of classic novels such as Wuthering Heights or Jane Eyre, but with much darker twists and turns. What begins as a gothic romance becomes a gothic horror as the film progresses.
Our heroine, Edith (Mia Wasikowska), is swept away by the dashing Thomas Sharpe (Tom Hiddleston), who, along with his sister (Jessica Chastain), has sinister plans for the girl. The plot moves along nicely, making the film seem to go by much quicker than its 119-minute run-time. It grabs you from the beginning, not putting you back down until the very end.
Beyond the plot, the sets and costumes are intricate and gorgeous. These details, along with the main actors’ excellent portrayals, draw you in from the start and add to the haunting feeling throughout the movie. Especially important to notice is Allerdale Hall, the Sharpe’s home. What was once clearly a grand manor, now has a massive hole in the roof and is sinking into the ground, all of its former regalia still inside, now covered in the dust of the past.
So, what are the Sharpe’s sinister plans? Why is the film called “Crimson Peak?” You’ll have to check it out yourself to find out!
