As a cinephile who has been fortunate enough to traverse the labyrinth of film genres and subgenres, I must say that Guillermo del Toro‘s “Crimson Peak” is an underrated gem that deserves more recognition than it initially received. Having had the pleasure of watching it multiple times over the years, I can attest to its growing cult following and understand why.
Currently overseas working on his adaptation of ‘Frankenstein’, director Guillermo del Toro is still open about reflecting on why he believes his 2015 film ‘Crimson Peak’ didn’t meet its box office potential. Starring Tom Hiddleston, Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain, and Charlie Hunnam, this movie tells the story of a young woman who gets married to an enchanting Englishman, then moves to a Gothic mansion where she encounters eerie apparitions from the past, unraveling a mystery she must solve. With a production cost of $55 million, ‘Crimson Peak’ was able to generate only $74 million globally, causing some critics to deem it a flop.
In an interview with Vulture, del Toro explained that Universal Studios’ marketing strategy for Crimson Peak, which branded it as a horror film, essentially doomed the movie from the start. Although it does contain some aspects of the horror genre, similar to many of his other projects, he believes it would have performed better if they had emphasized its romantic and mysterious core elements instead.
“What’s forever lurking, with a touch of humor, over that film is its marketing as a horror movie. However, during our discussions about promotion, all strategies aimed at attracting the horror audience for the opening weekend. I could foresee disaster! I kept advising them to emphasize the romance and mystery aspects instead, but they chose to focus on horror. Given it was October, the month of Halloween, I can understand why they did so.”
Despite being marketed as a horror film and opening in October, many viewers felt deceived upon watching it due to its failure to live up to the “scariest thing ever” hype created by the director. Contrary to expectations, the movie was actually a Gothic romance mystery reminiscent of classic films such as Alfred Hitchcock’s Rebecca. The supernatural elements served more as supporting elements rather than the main focus of the film, and they were used to explore themes like repressed sexuality, death, healing, and the inescapable nature of our past.
Crimson Peak Still Managed to Gain a Cult Following
Although early responses to Crimson Peak were somewhat divided due to ineffective marketing strategies, Guillermo del Toro’s Gothic romance has built up a devoted fanbase over time, and with good reason. It’s a visually stunning work of art that merits appreciation, not just for its horror aspects, but for the poignant story of love and sorrow it conveys. The acting by Hiddleston, Chastain, and Wasikowska is exceptional, and the elaborate set designs and cinematography only add to its captivating charm.
10 years after its debut, del Toro prefers to lead projects that fans cherish and recall warmly, instead of those that eventually fade from memory.
“This film resonates deeply with its fans, almost on a cellular level. Over time, some films build their following, while others are instant hits but fade away. There’s a wide range of outcomes. What I’ve noticed is that I feel more content when I’m involved with people who genuinely connect with a movie and make it their own.”
At present, “Crimson Peak” isn’t streaming anywhere, but enthusiasts of Gothic stories should make an effort to find it for a digital rental on a Premium Video On Demand (PVOD) platform. In the director Guillermo del Toro’s body of work, this film stands out as some of his finest creations, comparable to masterpieces such as “The Shape of Water” and “Pan’s Labyrinth.”
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2024-08-24 22:01