---
title: "Crimson Peak"
year: 2015
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/crimson-peak"
fi1m_id: "crimson-peak"
imdb_id: "tt2554274"
tmdb_id: 201085
wikidata_id: "Q15729025"
fi1m_score: 74
critics_score: 64
critics_reviews: 32
published: "2026-10-22"
updated: "2026-10-22T03:30:21.324244+00:00"
region: "VN"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Crimson Peak (2015)

Directed by Guillermo del Toro · 1h 59m · VN C16 · Horror, Romance

## Identity

Crimson Peak

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/crimson-peak
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** crimson-peak
- **IMDb ID:** tt2554274
- **TMDB ID:** 201085
- **Wikidata ID:** Q15729025
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2554274/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/201085, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q15729025

**Fi1m score: 74** · Critics 64 from 32 reviews

*In a sentence:* The house is falling apart, but nobody has lowered the dress code

> Guillermo del Toro’s Gothic romance is worth seeing for its ruined mansion and forceful performances. The predictable plotting and overexposed ghosts limit the fear, but there is enough feeling beneath the decoration to make it matter.

## Synopsis

Edith Cushing (Mia Wasikowska), Sir Thomas Sharpe (Tom Hiddleston) and Lady Lucille Sharpe (Jessica Chastain) are at the centre of a Gothic romance involving a ruined, haunted mansion. Carter Cushing (Jim Beaver) and Dr. Alan McMichael (Charlie Hunnam) also figure in the story. Class and wealth shape the relationships, while ghosts share the house with the living. Elaborate decoration and decay surround a romance in which love and the threat of violence sit close together, with supernatural apparitions adding to the unease.

## Review

*Crimson Peak* is worth an evening for its Gothic excess, provided surprise is not the main attraction. Guillermo del Toro takes the romance seriously, allowing longing and dread into the same scene without winking at either. That sincerity matters: the elaborate clothes and haunted mansion could easily become an excuse for theatrical fuss. Here they belong to people whose feelings are allowed to be awkward and excessive. The story follows a more familiar course than we might wish.

Thomas E. Sanders supplies a ruined mansion that remains absorbing even when the plot becomes easy to anticipate. The crowded decoration and decay make it oppressive without depending on a supernatural interruption. Dan Laustsen’s cinematography keeps that deterioration visible; we can examine the ornament rather than merely register a large dark space. The house sometimes monopolises our attention, but there is plenty worth looking at. Its condition gives the romance an atmosphere of neglect that the dialogue alone could not establish.

Jessica Chastain, as Lady Lucille Sharpe, understands how much force this sort of melodrama can bear. Her severity gives scenes an edge that the dialogue does not consistently supply, and her performance is large enough to hold its own against the house. Tom Hiddleston makes Sir Thomas Sharpe’s romantic appeal credible, even when the writing gives him familiar material. Mia Wasikowska’s Edith Cushing offers a quieter presence. She helps keep the central romance from becoming an exchange of grand poses.

The screenplay by Guillermo del Toro and Matthew Robbins is the chief limitation. Too much of the plotting can be anticipated, and some dialogue puts feelings into words that the actors have already made clear. Bernat Vilaplana’s editing allows the atmosphere to accumulate, which suits the romance, but cannot supply uncertainty where the script has supplied too little. The pauses leave us time to study the mansion, but also to get ahead of the story.

We were disappointed when the ghosts came into clear view. Their glossy, artificial appearance made us inspect the effects instead of feeling the fear that the ruined rooms had begun to build. The designs have imagination, and there is pleasure in their luridness, but seeing so much of them reduces their threat. The violence has more impact. Its bluntness can feel jarring beside the elaborate decoration, though the film benefits from something capable of making us uncomfortable.

Kate Hawley’s costumes help the actors remain distinct within all this visual detail, rather than allowing the mansion to swallow everyone. Their elaborateness suits a film in which appearances carry so much weight. Fernando Velázquez’s music gives the romance welcome seriousness, although its insistence can make an already emphatic scene feel overworked. We would have welcomed more quiet. Still, neither contribution treats the Gothic trappings as something to apologise for, and that confidence sustains the film.

There is room in horror for a film this willing to risk being excessive, particularly when its romance is played without embarrassment. Familiar plotting remains a limitation, but familiarity need not ruin this kind of evening. We would choose *Crimson Peak* for company inclined to discuss the people as much as the ghosts. Anyone chiefly hoping to lose sleep should choose something else.

*Fi1m score 74, published 22 October 2026.*

## What the critics say

Most critics respond positively to Crimson Peak, though agreement is stronger on its appearance than its storytelling. Praise centres on the elaborate production design, particularly the ruined mansion, with costumes and visual atmosphere also drawing approval across otherwise divided reviews. Jessica Chastain’s performance earns frequent praise. The more enthusiastic critics embrace del Toro’s film as a Gothic romance, finding emotional force and macabre pleasure without requiring it to deliver constant scares.

The spread is wide, with predictability, thin characterisation and limited tension recurring even in favourable reviews. For some, those weaknesses are tolerable; for others, they leave the elaborate sets supporting an unconvincing romance. The ghosts divide opinion too, admired for their invention but criticised for looking artificial or showing too much. Variety notably faults Chastain’s performance as well as the obvious plotting. Much of the disagreement concerns whether the romance and atmosphere compensate for the shortage of fear.

## Straight answers

**Is Crimson Peak worth watching?**

*Crimson Peak* is worth watching for its Gothic romance, ruined mansion and forceful performances, and we score it 74 out of 100. We recommend it for viewers who enjoy extravagant costumes and unembarrassed feeling; the predictable plotting and overly visible ghosts make it less rewarding for anyone chiefly seeking fear or surprise.

**How long is Crimson Peak, and what is it rated?**

*Crimson Peak* runs 1h 59m and is rated C16 by the VN in Vietnam. It is a horror and romance film.

**Where can I watch Crimson Peak in Vietnam?**

*Crimson Peak* is available to rent from Apple TV from ₫39,000. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**How violent or frightening is Crimson Peak, and is it suitable for children?**

*Crimson Peak* has a UK 15 certificate and is not suitable for children, with blunt violence that makes more impact than its ghosts. We find the ruined mansion oppressive, but the apparitions’ glossy, artificial appearance limits their menace. It is better suited to older teenagers and adults comfortable with violence than to squeamish viewers seeking a decorative Gothic romance.

**How does Crimson Peak compare to Rebecca?**

*Crimson Peak* offers a more extravagant, overtly supernatural Gothic romance than [*Rebecca*](https://film.one/film/rebecca), which we recommend more strongly for unsettling intimacy and painfully recognisable insecurity. Both use an imposing house to make romance feel dangerous, but we find *Crimson Peak* easier to anticipate. Choose it for elaborate decay and forceful melodrama; choose *Rebecca* for unease, despite its less precise closing stretch.

### Reviews we read (32)

- **Slant Magazine**, Jake Cole (4.5/5): Cole praises this as the definitive home-video edition of del Toro’s elegant haunted-house film. He singles out Arrow Video’s substantial new extras, especially a documentary on the film’s production design and literary inspirations. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/dvd/crimson-peak-blu-ray-review-guillermo-del-toro/)
- **RogerEbert.com**, Matt Zoller Seitz (3.5/4): The review is positive, while suggesting the film’s story is less compelling than its presentation. It singles out the lavish production design and visual atmosphere for praise. [Read](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/crimson-peak-2015)
- **IndieWire**, Anne Thompson (85/100, inferred): Thompson sees the film as an exhilarating blend of fantasy, horror, and Gothic romance. She especially praises its richly detailed production design and filmmaking artistry. [Read](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/culture/crimson-peak-review-round-up-guillermo-del-toro-finds-his-sweet-spot-with-gothic-romantic-horror-hybrid-176299/)
- **Little White Lies**, David Jenkins (5/4/4): Jenkins praises the film as a heartbreaking, romantic triumph and a rewarding gothic experience. He singles out Jessica Chastain’s performance and del Toro’s visual craft for particular praise. [Read](https://www.lwlies.com/reviews/crimson-peak)
- **The Guardian**, Peter Bradshaw (4/5): Bradshaw finds the film addictively watchable, macabre and impressively showy. He praises its intricate, sumptuous visuals, while expressing reservations about the ghosts and the violence. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/oct/14/crimson-peak-review-psychosexually-rich-soil-of-horror-guillermo-del-toro-mia-wasikowska)
- **Empire**, Dan Jolin (75/100, inferred): Jolin finds the film a visually sumptuous, gory success and calls it an uncommon treat. He particularly praises its baroque gothic design, especially the bleeding mansion and lurid ghosts. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/crimson-peak-2-review/)
- **Sight and Sound**, Kim Newman (75/100, inferred): Newman calls the film a rich, rattling good gothic melodrama, despite a few dialogue flaws and a somewhat conventional romance. He especially praises the magnificent ruined mansion and its lovingly detailed production design. [Read](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/film-week-crimson-peak)
- **Evening Standard**, Charlotte O'Sullivan (70/100, inferred): O'Sullivan finds the film an appealing, heartfelt gothic romance despite its lack of scares and occasional daft moments. She especially praises the characters and performances, as well as the film’s treatment of class, wealth and oppression. [Read](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/crimson-peak-film-review-scaling-the-heights-of-gothic-romance-a3092051.html)
- **Film Comment**, Violet Lucca (70/100, inferred): Lucca presents the film as a revival of gothic psychological tradition, despite its misunderstood status. She praises its sumptuous visual flourishes. [Read](https://www.filmcomment.com/review-crimson-peak/)
- **The AV Club**, Katie Rife (B-): Rife finds the film gorgeous and tragic but not very scary, with its thrills diminishing after the early scenes. She singles out Jessica Chastain’s performance and the richly detailed production design for praise. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/guillermo-del-toro-s-crimson-peak-is-gorgeous-tragic-1798185210)
- **The New York Times**, Manohla Dargis (67/100, inferred): The accessible page does not reveal the critic’s verdict or specific praise or criticism. Its URL identifies a review framing the film as a Gothic romance in high, bloody style. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/16/movies/crimson-peak-a-guillermo-del-toro-gothic-romance-in-high-bloody-style.html)
- **Screen Daily**, Tim Grierson (64/100, inferred): The page identifies this as a review, but its verdict is behind a paywall. The accessible text provides no praise or criticism to summarize. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/crimson-peak-review/5095325.article)
- **Time Out**, Tom Huddleston (3/5): Huddleston calls the film a fun but predictable Gothic ghost story. He praises its entertainment value while noting its predictable plot. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/crimson-peak)
- **Total Film**, Josh Winning (3/5): The review finds the film visually striking but short on surprises and ultimately not scary. It praises the inventive ghosts and the richly designed, menacing mansion. [Read](https://www.gamesradar.com/crimson-peak-review/)
- **Vulture**, Bilge Ebiri (55/100, inferred): Ebiri finds the film’s story underdeveloped, though its images and atmosphere linger after viewing. He especially praises its ornate production design, ghostly imagery, costumes, and visual richness. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/2015/10/movie-review-crimson-peak.html)
- **Radio Times**, Jeremy Aspinall (2/5): Aspinall calls the film a major disappointment despite its promising creative talent. He praises the striking sets, while finding the story predictable. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-exdlom/crimson-peak/)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, Todd McCarthy (35/100, inferred): McCarthy finds the film lavishly stylish but narratively conventional, predictable, and neither surprising nor frightening. He particularly praises its camerawork, sets, costumes, effects, and meticulous period detail. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/crimson-peak-film-review-831261/)
- **The New Yorker** (30/100, inferred): The critic finds the film overdecorated and underdeveloped, with its atmosphere of dread falling short. They say it only comes to life during the final suspenseful showdown. [Read](https://www.newyorker.com/goings-on-about-town/movies/crimson-peak)
- **Variety**, Peter Debruge (25/100, inferred): Debruge finds the film visually ravishing but ultimately disappointing, criticizing its obvious plot and lack of effective scares. He praises the haunted mansion’s ornate design and atmosphere, while faulting Jessica Chastain’s performance and the mismatch between beauty and gore. [Read](https://variety.com/2015/film/reviews/crimson-peak-film-review-1201613988/)
- **Paste**, Andy Crump (8.8/10): Crump praises the film as a richly sensory gothic fairy tale rather than a conventional horror movie. He singles out Allerdale Hall’s production design as a standout achievement, calling it a monument to decayed beauty. [Read](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/crimson-peak)
- **The Wrap** (85/100, inferred): The critic gives the film a strongly positive verdict, calling it del Toro’s best since Pan’s Labyrinth. They especially praise its lavish Gothic design and the patient, skillful build-up to its scares. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/crimson-peak-review-guillermo-del-toro-mia-wasikowska-tom-hiddleston-jessica-chastain/)
- **Deadline**, Pete Hammond (80/100, inferred): Hammond delivers a strongly positive verdict, praising the film as a sumptuous, old-fashioned gothic horror treat. He particularly singles out its lavish production design and Jessica Chastain’s villainous performance. [Read](https://deadline.com/2015/10/crimson-peak-review-guillermo-del-toro-mia-wasikowska-tom-hiddleston-jessica-chastain-1201585157/)
- **Den of Geek**, Don Kaye (4/5): Kaye likes the film despite its predictable screenplay and limited scares, finding it an absorbing Gothic romance rather than horror. He especially praises its sumptuous visuals, production design, costumes, and Jessica Chastain’s performance. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/crimson-peak-review/)
- **The Skinny**, Josh Slater-Williams (★★★★): The critic finds the film low on scares but riveting and surprisingly heartbreaking. They praise its three lead performances and evocative, intricately detailed production design. [Read](https://www.theskinny.co.uk/film/new-releases/crimson-peak)
- **The Playlist**, The Playlist Staff (B): The review finds the film visually dazzling and full of del Toro’s distinctive style, though its drama never entirely satisfies. It praises the elaborate mansion and production design, while faulting the ghosts’ glossy digital effects. [Read](https://theplaylist.net/review-guillermo-del-toros-crimson-peak-starring-mia-wasikowska-tom-hiddleston-and-jessica-chastain-20151013/)
- **Eye for Film**, Rebecca Naughten (75/100, inferred): Naughten finds the film a fine, visually imaginative gothic spectacle, though it falls short of del Toro’s best work. She particularly praises its sumptuous sets, costumes, and richly detailed visual design. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/crimson-peak-2015-film-review-by-rebecca-naughten)
- **Collider**, Matt Goldberg (B-): Goldberg finds the film gorgeous and unsettling, though its character work and plot fall short of del Toro’s earlier films. He praises the richly detailed production design and costumes, while criticizing the overly artificial-looking ghosts. [Read](https://collider.com/crimson-peak-review/)
- **Consequence**, Dominick Suzanne-Mayer (60/100, inferred): The critic finds the film beautiful and humane but says its revelations weaken its central exploration of ghosts. They especially praise Jessica Chastain’s performance and the film’s striking production design. [Read](https://consequence.net/2015/10/film-review-crimson-peak/)
- **NME** (40/100, inferred): The critic finds the film visually sumptuous but ultimately underwhelming, with its romance and horror failing to deliver. They praise its gorgeous design and sinister atmosphere, while faulting the weak story and computer-generated ghosts. [Read](https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-various-artists-16300-309602)
- **Digital Spy**, Ali Plumb (35/100, inferred): The critic finds the film entertaining but ultimately disappointing, with a clunky, shallow plot. They praise Jessica Chastain’s scene-stealing performance and the film’s striking visual detail. [Read](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a673622/crimson-peak-review-jessica-chastain-shines-in-guillermo-del-toros-disappointing-gothic-romance/)
- **HeyUGuys**, Stefan Pape (35/100, inferred): The critic finds the film visually enchanting but ultimately tedious and emotionally uninvolving. They praise its meticulous gothic atmosphere and the performances of its three leads, while faulting the romance and overly explicit ghosts. [Read](https://www.heyuguys.com/crimson-peak-review/)
- **Polygon**, Arthur Gies (20/100, inferred): The critic finds that the film fails as a horror movie, thriller, and romance. They praise its visual beauty but single out its unbelievable central romance and lack of tension as major flaws. [Read](https://www.polygon.com/2015/10/22/9596084/crimson-peak-review/)

## Details

- **Director:** Guillermo del Toro
- **Director:** Guillermo del Toro
- **Writer:** Guillermo del Toro, Matthew Robbins
- **Cinematography:** Dan Laustsen
- **Editor:** Bernat Vilaplana
- **Music:** Fernando Velázquez
- **Production design:** Thomas E. Sanders
- **Costume design:** Kate Hawley
- **Producer:** Guillermo del Toro, Callum Greene, Jon Jashni
- **Cast:** Mia Wasikowska as Edith Cushing; Jessica Chastain as Lady Lucille Sharpe; Tom Hiddleston as Sir Thomas Sharpe; Charlie Hunnam as Dr. Alan McMichael; Jim Beaver as Carter Cushing; Burn Gorman as Holly; Leslie Hope as Mrs. McMichael; Jonathan Hyde as Ogilvie
- **Runtime:** 1h 59m
- **Certificate (VN):** C16
- **Release (Vietnam):** 16 October 2015
- **Genres:** Horror, Romance
- **Budget:** $55 million
- **Box office:** $75 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLWsNDZqXpo

## Where to watch in Vietnam

- Apple TV: rent ₫39,000, hd
- Apple TV: buy ₫149,000, sd

*Checked 2026-10-22.*

Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HR, HU, IE, IL, IN, IS, IT, JP, KR, LT, MX, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, TH, TR, UA, US, VN, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## If you liked this

- *Rebecca* (1940), Fi1m 85: Another Gothic romance where an imposing house makes intimacy feel dangerous — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/rebecca.md)
- *The Innocents* (1961): For haunted rooms, oppressive restraint and considerably less reassurance about the ghosts
- *The Company of Wolves* (1984): For richly designed fairy-tale horror that treats desire as something worth fearing
- *The Devil's Backbone* (2001): Guillermo del Toro gives another haunted building a more painful human history
- *A Tale of Two Sisters* (2003): Family tensions and meticulous interiors make a home feel increasingly unsafe

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/crimson-peak