“Beware of Crimson Peak…”

Here at TaleAGuest we LOVE good films. Gothic romance, you say? We’re in! Enter Guillermo Del Toro‘s latest film, the soon-to-be-released and clearly magnificent Crimson Peak. The action is set in Cumbria, England in the late 19th century.
In the aftermath of a family tragedy, aspiring author Edith Cushing (Mia Wasikowska) is torn between love for her childhood friend, Dr. Alan McMichael (Charlie Hunnam)……and the temptation of a mysterious outsider, Sir Thomas Sharpe (Tom Hiddleston); who has a dark and troubled past that involves a stern and reclusive sister, Lucille (Jessica Chastain); and an imposing, obscure mansion that contains twisted and perhaps evil memories.The stunning cinematography by Dan Laustsen, as well as Brandt Gordon’s art direction, provide the main foundations for the visual impact that Mexican filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro was searching for. Del Toro’s rich imagination has once again produced a baroque masterpiece that will clearly make many of us fall in love with his fantastical landscapes and haunting stories.The real star of Crimson Peak is Allerdale Hall, a huge mansion/palace located on top of a hill rich in red clay. It has been reported that when the actors were filming, a red liquid squished out from beneath the floor boards when they walked on them. It is, in the words of Del Toro himself, “a breathing, bleeding house”.Costume designer Kate Hawley – whose prior credits include The Hobbit trilogy, Pacific Rim, and whose work will also be featured in the upcoming superhero flick Suicide Squad – did a superb job – every garment she created for each one of the characters is intricate, beautifully crafted, and an essential clue for the backstory and personality of each. It wouldn’t surprise us if some of these pieces end up in the collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum in London! Here is the exquisite Jessica Chastain as Lady Lucille Sharpe – the power and strength of the character is evident from the costume alone.One remarkable characteristic of the plot of Crimson Peak is that it is driven by female characters. Del Toro has conceived a story that, despite taking place in the late 19th century, features very contemporary elements such as free will and female empowerment.
Despite appearances, Wasikowska’s character is not another damsel in distress. In a similar fashion, Hiddleston’s character is not a typical knight in shining armor. In Crimson Peak, there is so much more than meets the eye. We can’t wait to find out all the secrets that lie within the walls of Allerdale Hall!
Crimson Peak may very well be Guillermo Del Toro’s masterpiece. Although with a career as fruitful, inventive, and successful as his, who knows? On the other hand, after seeing the trailer and the stills of Crimson Peak it is difficult to think how the standard he just set for himself and for other filmmakers might be surpassed.
Crimson Peak opens in theaters in the U.S. on October 16th; in Mexico, Del Toro’s home country, it will be released nationwide on October 30th. Click HERE to see the full theatrical trailer.