Mark Kermode reviews Crimson Peak

Mark Kermode reviews Crimson Peak. Aspiring author Edith meets and marries the mysterious Sir Thomas Sharpe. Moving from the modernity of the United States, she moves into the gothic English mansion belonging to Thomas and his sister Lucille - a house that breathes, bleeds… and remembers.
Please tell us what you think of the film -- or Mark’s review of the film below. We love to include your views on the show every Friday.
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[@PauLtus_B]

Happy to see a positive review by the person I most trust. I've really been looking forward to this since I've really been a growing Del Toro fan and the reviews have been all over the place.

[@wasteyelo1]

Kermode's PhD thesis was on Horror Fiction so, I trust him completely on this. The man knows his Gothic. I'm a fan of Del Toro, who like Kermode knows his subject inside out, but didn't like Pacific Rim at all. Nice to hear that he's back in Devil's Backbone/Pan's Labyrinth territory.

[@notabot835]

i hate that it's marketed as a horror movie- just saw it and confirm it is not. it has such sumptuous visuals, the costumes are so painstakingly designed, and the production design is flawless. and while third act felt a little rushed, that final set piece is seriously AMAZING. crimson peak is a gorgeous, gothic piece of entertainment that's an extremely rewarding experience and I had a lot of fun with it

[@katford7286]

Just saw it in IMAX here in Wash DC. I didn't find it scary but it was incredibly beautiful. I have not seen such an artistic film in a long time, and I loved all the performances. The art direction blew me away--that house was perfect. I am now officially a Hiddlestoner.

[@92ninersboy]

This is a brilliant film - many layers and many meanings, personal and collective - plus flat-out gorgeous.

[@nicolewilliams6052]

The ghosts had a physical form because it was the amazing Javier Botet. He's done numerous horror films. It isn't just CGI.

[@GoldenGyroBalls]

Thank God Mark put up his review. The response for this has been completely all over the place and I kept going back and forth on whether or not to see it, despite me being a big fan of Del Toro. I won't be seeing until Monday but judging by what he's said, it will most certainly be worth it.

[@Thomas_of_the_forest]

Weird. This is the first positive review I've heard, but at least it's from Mark. I really liked it, and it's a shame to hear so many negative reviews

[@tributestoeverythingmusic]

sad to see that everyone hated it except me and mr kermode oh well im happy to be on the right side

[@gabrielemanfredi273]

Great review from a great critic and cinema enthusiast. We love you Mark.

[@charliebad]

it was beautiful but being able to work out everything, and I mean everything quite early on made it very shabby. The scene of the doctor taking paranormal pics.....why? Still a solid 6, although no more even with decimals.

[@nan00se1]

seeing this next week and this review has added to my anticipation

[@jamessunderland2628]

So gutted that Konami cancelled Silent Hills, because they had Del Toro teaming up with Kojima on it. :(. Die Konami

[@zacharygoodwin3670]

Mark has reaffirmed my faith in humanity with this review.

[@andrewdawson2185]

I can't wait to see this on Monday. What I can't decide is whether to see it in IMAX or go for a standard screening. What advice would anyone offer to an IMAX nubee?

[@PauLtus_B]

+Andrew Dawson Get a seet in the middle of the middle, you get to the point where about everything you see is the screen, but you can still see the entire screen. And surely not more forward. Not sure wether the size of the screen would really add much for a movie like this, but the image quality is a lot sharper and there's a lot of detail to admire here. I'm happy to see this movie being projected in IMAX since about every IMAX screen is now being wasted on 3D.

[@HerbieChuckNorris]

seeing it tonight, can't wait.

[@stuartgreer9566]

+HerbieCN Let us know what you thought

[@HerbieChuckNorris]

Thought is was very good! A great looking film, definitely true that it's a love story with Ghosts in it; rather than it being an all out Horror.

[@wesleywhite2936]

+HerbieCN was it scary or bloody at all

[@HerbieChuckNorris]

Wesley white Trying to avoid spoilers but there's a slightly gory bit near the start and the 3rd act certainly gets bloody. In terms of scares, there's a sense of unease that permeates through out and a few attempted jump moments but they're far from cheap scares - mostly story driven.

[@wesleywhite2936]

+HerbieCN ok thanks man

[@nayden5834]

Love the aesthetic of this film. Cant wait to see it.

[@commodoreclarksonio6035]

By far the most interesting review of this movie I've come across, and I don't even like Del Toro much aside from Pan's Labyrinth. The trailer looked interesting even so I was already considering see this but wary since I'm not a Del Toro fan and the film has received mostly mixed reviews. Kermode's review wins though.

[@PauLtus_B]

+Commodore Clarksonio Have you seen the Devil's Backbone? Guillermo del Toro called Pan's Labyrinth and that movie brother and sisters, and they're somewhat the same thematically (absolutely nothing in plot).

[@chrisjohnson3431]

+PauLtus B The Devil's Backbone is alright. Not in the same league as his masterpiece Pan's Labyrinth.

[@commodoreclarksonio6035]

+PauLtus B That and the second Hellboy movie are the only ones of his directorial features I haven't seen. Was never a huge fan of the first Hellboy like a lot of people were.

[@PauLtus_B]

Commodore Clarksonio I liked the second Hellboy better, even if it were only for the creature designs,which are incredible. Chris Johnson Now that be something if Del Toro made another movie that's that good. No, it's not THAT good, but it's very much worth watching.

[@mrcurely]

just came back from watching this film at the cinema. i'm afraid i didn't like it. pan's labyrinth was of course amazing and i wanted to see crimson peak because of it. i have to say it looked AMAZING. the sets, the clothes.... and the beginning is very promising. however, it slows med way through and stays at that pace. a woman in our row left about half way and i don't think she was wrong. a shame, really, but it wasn't worth seeing.

[@arnemyggen]

Good review from a real critic

[@halloweenfriday]

Great to listen to a positive review of this movie by Mark Kermode.

[@qqrk1372]

LOOKED much better than it is as a film.

[@goofyedward]

What a way with words!

[@jvanness90]

I come to him before I see every film. I would have seen this film regardless.

[@chrisjohnson3431]

I think Kermode overrates Del Toro. Pan's Labyrinth was the first of his films I saw & thought it was genius. Having watch the rest none come close to Pan. I'm really looking forward to this one but the lukewarm reviews are not a good sign. Only Kermode's review has so far gushed about it & since he loves his films may be slightly over praising it. Gonna have to find out for myself.

[@BruceGiffordJustMyOpinion]

The people from What the Flick all loved it as well. Only two extremely positive reviews I've seen on KZbin. I won't be able to see it and review it till next weekend because I can only see one movie tomorrow and I'm seeing Bridge of Spies out of the three that are out this week.

[@JohnnyOrgan]

+Chris Johnson I'm not a fan of all his works but I can't deny the guy is one of the best modern film makers out there at the moment. He doesn't always do it for me but there's a genuine art there.

[@grahamclarke6170]

+Chris Johnson The beer bottle scene in Pan has stuck with me and given me chills ever since I first watched it.

[@Thechriscurly]

+Chris Johnson Don't forget Devil's Backbone. That film is class too...

[@nan00se1]

+Chris Johnson Guardian gave it a good review as have other UK papers so i am not to worried

[@chrishiggins7166]

The film’s characters & lack of storytelling are weak, however the film’s well acted, stylish, well effective & is A generally pleasant gothic horror film. (75%) (4/5 stars) (positive)

[@grahamclarke6170]

so he liked it then :)

[@SpoonyNin]

And I'm there as soon as possible. Need to wash Macbeth out of my mouth, thinking this is gonna do the trick. Cracking :D

[@RJPala]

It's weird with Kermode, for me. I quite often disagree with him when it comes to films he really hates, but often agree with him when he loves a film. We will see with this one.

[@hellsfoxes]

Be prepared to be disappointed after this glowing review. Just caught it last night. I thought it was actually really poor, with a weak story devoid of tension. Motivations, characterisation and tone are completely all over the shop and never coalesce into something engaging.

[@wranglers575]

+hellsfoxes Have to agree unfortunately.

[@hellsfoxes]

+Martin T. I agree that it may come down to personal taste. It's a film of cerebral pleasures, soaking in the environment and wink wink character archetypes (damsel waif, two faced love interest, jealous sister etc). Personally, there is simply no conflict through the entire middle of the film beyond the mildest intrigue. And Del Toro does a poor job subverting our expectations of a "story with ghosts". Why cram the first 10 minutes with creepy jump scares and then underwhelm with lumbering creatures that the heroine barely reacts to? I think a big problem is Wasikowska was miscast. She is cool and calculating where a warm and relatable heroine (like Ichabod Crane) would really have allowed us in. Similarly Hiddleston is too sly to play naive convincingly. I did really enjoy Chastain though. She struck the perfect balance.

[@WilliamBurner]

Sumptuous

[@audiodead7302]

Not GDTs best work. I thought it was a bit hit and miss personally. Some interesting visuals and CGI. But the story was quite formulaic. Some of the acting was unconvincing (Tom H, Charlie H). Largely forgettable. Indeed, it was forgotten.

[@ragnare]

One of his worst. A big let down.

[@russellb5573]

OMG!!! Thank goodness I never saw this at the cinema! It's empty, artificial, obvious and overlit. I couldn't believe it was a Del Toro film! There was so little suspense. I am totally surprised they wasted so much money on this shocking script. I was really disappointed after Mark said he liked it! It was awful! (and I had to look at Hiddleston's ass... totally unnecessarily)

[@samjam170]

How does he like this? I know everyone has an opinion but I couldn't disagree with this more haha

[@robjcroxson]

Unfortunately Mark's review was more entertaining than the film. It suffers from a lack of momentum in its second half leaving it with too much to do in the finale. Shame cos it looked good.

[@bradtaulbee5928]

Movie was horrid, script was worse.

[@kennymcalpine154]

I'm fed up of Del Toro being connected to games and films only to be told he has pulled out or it's been cancelled. Crimson Peak was boring and the CGI was bad. Not scary. He is an amazing director but is doing what good directors do. He is becoming lazy. Get your act together man.

[@ambskater97]

Watch The Shape of Water and say that again with honesty.

[@PotatoMASHjack]

It looks sooo good! It truly is a beautiful film but it is an empty, slow and boring movie.

[@ManchesterBlackSheep]

Dreadful film! Truly awful. Apparently it's typical Gothic Horror though, so if that's your bag, you might like it. For normal people steer clear ;)

[@blaksu]

I can't believe Mark sometimes, this was a nonsense, second rate movie. Very disappointing piece of work by del Toro, who I'm sure recognised during the make of the film exactly what it was but cynically decided to press on.