Crimson Peak Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Girl meets brooding inventor, marries him despite ghost warnings, and discovers his house is literally bleeding money and secrets, leading to a sibling showdown over love, land, and questionable life choices.

🍿 Crimson Peak: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Early Life and Premonition

Edith Cushing, as a young girl, is visited by the ghost of her recently deceased mother, who warns her to ‘Beware of Crimson Peak.’ Years later, Edith is now an aspiring author living in Buffalo, New York, at the turn of the 20th century, and prefers writing ghost stories, challenging societal norms. This early experience shapes her understanding and acceptance of the supernatural, setting the stage for the events to come. Her independence and intellectual curiosity are key characteristics that drive the plot forward.

Arrival of the Sharpes and Romance

Sir Thomas Sharpe, an English baronet, and his sister, Lucille, arrive in Buffalo seeking investors for Thomas’s clay-mining invention. Edith meets Thomas, and the two quickly develop a romantic connection, despite the disapproval of Edith’s father and her childhood friend, Dr. Alan McMichael. Edith’s attraction to Thomas stems from his artistic sensibilities and shared interest in literature, representing a departure from the more conventional suitors in her life. Lucille observes and harbors silent anger at Thomas’s choice of companion.

Mysteries Unveiled at Allerdale Hall

Following the suspicious death of Edith’s father, Edith and Thomas marry and move to Allerdale Hall, the Sharpe family’s dilapidated mansion in Cumberland, England. The mansion, situated atop a red clay mine, begins to reveal its dark secrets. Edith is haunted by gruesome ghosts, hinting at the manor’s tragic past. The isolation and eerie atmosphere of Allerdale Hall are crucial elements, emphasizing the psychological and supernatural horror that Edith experiences.

A Web of Deceit and Incest

Edith uncovers the truth about the Sharpes’ past, including Thomas’s previous marriages to wealthy women who met untimely deaths, orchestrated by the siblings for their inheritances. Edith learns of Thomas and Lucille’s incestuous relationship, which resulted in a sickly infant and the murder of their own mother by Lucille after she discovered their actions. This revelation turns the film into a chilling narrative of incest, greed, and deception. It is revealed that the couple has been seeking to fund Thomas’s inventions with the wealth of others to reclaim their own family’s social standing.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Edith Cushing (Mia Wasikowska): An aspiring author and heiress who marries a mysterious baronet and finds herself in a dangerous situation at his ancestral home.
• Lucille Sharpe (Jessica Chastain): The cold and controlling sister of Thomas Sharpe, harboring dark secrets and a possessive nature.
• Thomas Sharpe (Tom Hiddleston): A charming but secretive baronet who seeks investors for his clay-mining invention and becomes entangled in a web of deceit.
• Dr. Alan McMichael (Charlie Hunnam): Edith’s childhood friend and a doctor who suspects foul play and races to her rescue.
• Carter Cushing (Jim Beaver): Edith’s wealthy and protective father who distrusts the Sharpes and meets a tragic end.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Edith’s Mother: “Beware of Crimson Peak.” – Edith’s dying mother warns her as a child, foreshadowing the dangers of Allerdale Hall.
• Lucille Sharpe: “The horror was for love.” – Lucille justifies her monstrous actions as being driven by her twisted love for her brother.
• Edith Cushing: “Ghosts are real, that much I know.” – Edith says this at the beginning of the movie, establishing the supernatural element as a key part of her life and story.
• Lucille Sharpe: “Love makes monsters of us all.” – Lucille says this in the culmination of the movie, as a thesis to explain the sibling’s actions.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $55,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $31,090,320
• Worldwide Gross: $74,679,822

💥 Crimson Peak Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into Crimson Peak expecting scares, and while there were a few creepy moments, what really got me was the atmosphere! The house, Allerdale Hall, felt like a character itself. It’s decaying, hauntingly beautiful. The costumes were incredible, and Jessica Chastain absolutely killed it as Lucille. The movie is more about the mystery and the twisted relationships than jump scares, and I loved that. It definitely sticks with you after you watch it.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of gothic romance and period dramas”
  • “Viewers who appreciate visually stunning films with intricate set designs”
  • “Those interested in stories with supernatural elements and psychological suspense”
  • “Admirers of Guillermo del Toro’s distinct filmmaking style”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence and gore”
  • “Disturbing images and themes”
  • “Incestuous undertones”
  • “Mature themes and psychological distress”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “Del Toro’s Crimson Peak is a visually stunning and atmospheric gothic romance that leans heavily on its lavish production design and strong performances from Chastain and Hiddleston, even if its plot feels somewhat familiar.
• IGN: “Crimson Peak is a lush, beautifully realized gothic romance with moments of genuine horror, but the plot and character development feel secondary to the film’s visual feast. Still, it’s a captivating experience worth indulging in.
• Empire: “Guillermo del Toro delivers a visually sumptuous, gothic romance brimming with atmosphere, even if the narrative unfolds in a predictable fashion. The performances are stellar, especially Jessica Chastain’s chilling portrayal of Lucille Sharpe.

Audience Reactions

Viewers praised the stunning visual style and set design, highlighting Allerdale Hall as a character itself.: Most people agree that the movie is visually captivating with excellent performances, but the plot can be predictable.

Overall Consensus: Crimson Peak is a visually stunning gothic romance with strong performances and a haunting atmosphere, although the plot can feel predictable to some viewers.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Guillermo del Toro stated that he wanted to make a classical gothic romance, but with modern sensibilities and horror elements.”
• “The film’s production design was heavily inspired by Victorian-era gothic novels and the works of artists like Francisco Goya.”
• “The house, Allerdale Hall, was a massive set built specifically for the film and designed to feel like a living, breathing organism.”
• “Jessica Chastain was cast specifically to play against type, embracing a darker, more villainous role than she typically portrays.”

🖥️ How to Watch Crimson Peak?

Crimson Peak is currently available for streaming on various platforms. You can rent or purchase the movie on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for television airings, or consider purchasing the Blu-ray or DVD for a physical copy of the film. These options offer the best quality viewing experience, allowing you to appreciate the visual detail of the film. Purchasing options also support the filmmakers and allow for repeat viewings.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Crimson Peak, you might like these similar films:

• The Haunting (1963): A classic haunted house film with a focus on atmosphere and psychological horror, similar to Crimson Peak’s gothic setting.
• Rebecca (1940): Another gothic romance where a young woman is haunted by the legacy of her husband’s deceased first wife in a grand, mysterious estate.
• The Others (2001): A modern gothic horror film with a focus on atmosphere, family secrets, and a shocking twist ending.
• Sleepy Hollow (1999): Shares a visual flair and gothic atmosphere with Crimson Peak, directed by Tim Burton, offering a blend of horror and period drama.
• The Fall of the House of Usher (1960): A classic gothic horror tale that focuses on the decay of an aristocratic family and their ancestral home.

🛒 Crimson Peak Related Products

• Crimson Peak: The Art of Darkness: This visually stunning book delves into the art and making of Crimson Peak, featuring concept art, behind-the-scenes photos, and insights from Guillermo del Toro, offering a deep dive into the film’s creative process.
• Crimson Peak Blu-ray + Digital: Own the movie in stunning high definition with bonus features, deleted scenes, and commentary from Guillermo del Toro, providing a complete Crimson Peak experience.
• Crimson Peak Allerdale Hall Model Kit: Build your own replica of Allerdale Hall, the iconic mansion from Crimson Peak. This detailed model kit allows fans to recreate the haunting beauty of the film’s central setting.
• Funko POP Movies: Crimson Peak – Edith Cushing: A stylized collectible vinyl figure of Edith Cushing from Crimson Peak. A must-have for Funko POP collectors and fans of Mia Wasikowska’s character.

🎧 Soundtrack

Crimson Peak features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Crimson Peak” – performed by Fernando Velázquez
• “Edith’s Theme” – performed by Fernando Velázquez
• “Valse Macabre” – performed by Fernando Velázquez
• “In the Sails of Your Dreams” – performed by Guillermo del Toro and Fernando Velázquez

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Tom Hiddleston and Mia Wasikowska Perform the Perfect Waltz | Crimson Peak | Screen Bites

Curious about how Tom Hiddleston and Mia Wasikowska nailed that graceful waltz in Crimson Peak? This behind-the-scenes clip takes you right into the rehearsal, revealing the secrets behind their flawless performance.

Tom Hiddleston Shows His English Countryside In “Crimson Peak”

Join Tom Hiddleston, Jessica Chastain, and Mia Wasikowska as they spill the tea on the making of Crimson Peak on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Get ready for laughter, anecdotes, and a glimpse into the minds behind these gothic characters.

Crimson Peak’s Costumes, and How Tuberculosis Shaped Victorian Fashion

Have you ever wondered about the significance of those elaborate costumes in Crimson Peak? This video uncovers the hidden story behind them, exploring how Victorian fashion was influenced by the deadly disease of tuberculosis.

CRIMSON PEAK: The Most Disturbing Gothic Love Story

Ryan Hollinger takes us on a captivating journey through Crimson Peak, exploring its haunting atmosphere, complex characters, and the enduring legacy of gothic love stories. Get ready to delve into the film’s deepest secrets and uncover its hidden meanings.

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