[8]

Guillermo del Toro (Pan’s Labyrinth, Pacific Rim) serves up an old-fashioned gothic romance the likes of which we haven’t seen on the big screen since Roger Corman last dabbled with tales from Edgar Allen Poe. Heavily inspired by the Bronte sisters and Hitchcock’s Rebecca, Crimson Peak is the story of Edith, a young turn-of-the-century American woman (Mia Wasikowska) wooed into the dangerous embrace of an enterprising Brit named Thomas (Tom Hiddleston) and his cold, reserved sister Lucille (Jessica Chastain). Del Toro informs you pretty quickly that Thomas and Lucille aren’t to be trusted, but the reasons why are peeled away throughout the rest of the movie. Meanwhile, Edith’s American friend Alan (Charlie Hunnam) investigates the European siblings and discovers the truth about them before setting off to rescue Edith from revelations yet to come.

Crimson Peak follows a very narrow, melodramatic formula, but does so earnestly and with execution seldom seen on this level. Del Toro is one of the greatest cinematic visionaries of our time and Crimson Peak continues this tradition. The practical sets are astonishing. Art direction, scoring, costume design — all scrumptious. The cast all know exactly what kind of story they are helping bring to life. All rise to the occasion, but it’s Chastain whose given the juiciest role — she knocks it out of the park. All of this makes for the kind of film that you can just lie back and wrap yourself in.

Oh, yeah. And there are ghosts. But don’t go into this movie expecting a supernatural horror film. It’s more Wuthering Heights than The Conjuring.