--- title: "Crimson Peak: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/crimson-peak/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/crimson-peak" critics_score: 64 critics_reviews: 32 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): what the critics said Critics' score 64 from 32 reviews: 18 positive, 6 mixed, 8 negative. 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. ## Slant Magazine — Jake Cole Rating 4.5/5. 20 January 2019. 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 the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/dvd/crimson-peak-blu-ray-review-guillermo-del-toro/) ## RogerEbert.com — Matt Zoller Seitz Rating 3.5/4. 14 October 2015. 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 the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/crimson-peak-2015) ## IndieWire — Anne Thompson Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 13 October 2015. 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 the review](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 Rating 5/4/4. 16 October 2015. 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 the review](https://www.lwlies.com/reviews/crimson-peak) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Rating 4/5. 14 October 2015. 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 the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/oct/14/crimson-peak-review-psychosexually-rich-soil-of-horror-guillermo-del-toro-mia-wasikowska) ## Empire — Dan Jolin Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 15 October 2015. 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 the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/crimson-peak-2-review/) ## Sight and Sound — Kim Newman Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 15 October 2015. 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 the review](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/film-week-crimson-peak) ## Evening Standard — Charlotte O'Sullivan Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 16 October 2015. 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 the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/crimson-peak-film-review-scaling-the-heights-of-gothic-romance-a3092051.html) ## Film Comment — Violet Lucca Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). Lucca presents the film as a revival of gothic psychological tradition, despite its misunderstood status. She praises its sumptuous visual flourishes. [Read the review](https://www.filmcomment.com/review-crimson-peak/) ## The AV Club — Katie Rife Rating B-. 13 October 2015. 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 the review](https://www.avclub.com/guillermo-del-toro-s-crimson-peak-is-gorgeous-tragic-1798185210) ## The New York Times — Manohla Dargis Fi1m's normalised score 67/100 (inferred from the text). 16 October 2015. 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 the review](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 Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 13 October 2015. 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 the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/crimson-peak-review/5095325.article) ## Time Out — Tom Huddleston Rating 3/5. 13 October 2015. Huddleston calls the film a fun but predictable Gothic ghost story. He praises its entertainment value while noting its predictable plot. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/crimson-peak) ## Total Film — Josh Winning Rating 3/5. 15 October 2015. 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 the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/crimson-peak-review/) ## Vulture — Bilge Ebiri Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 16 October 2015. 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 the review](https://www.vulture.com/2015/10/movie-review-crimson-peak.html) ## Radio Times — Jeremy Aspinall Rating 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 the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-exdlom/crimson-peak/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Todd McCarthy Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 13 October 2015. 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 the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/crimson-peak-film-review-831261/) ## The New Yorker Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 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 the review](https://www.newyorker.com/goings-on-about-town/movies/crimson-peak) ## Variety — Peter Debruge Fi1m's normalised score 25/100 (inferred from the text). 13 October 2015. 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 the review](https://variety.com/2015/film/reviews/crimson-peak-film-review-1201613988/) ## Paste — Andy Crump Rating 8.8/10. 16 October 2015. 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 the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/crimson-peak) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 13 October 2015. 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 the review](https://www.thewrap.com/crimson-peak-review-guillermo-del-toro-mia-wasikowska-tom-hiddleston-jessica-chastain/) ## Deadline — Pete Hammond Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 16 October 2015. 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 the review](https://deadline.com/2015/10/crimson-peak-review-guillermo-del-toro-mia-wasikowska-tom-hiddleston-jessica-chastain-1201585157/) ## Den of Geek — Don Kaye Rating 4/5. 14 October 2015. 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 the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/crimson-peak-review/) ## The Skinny — Josh Slater-Williams Rating ★★★★. 15 October 2015. 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 the review](https://www.theskinny.co.uk/film/new-releases/crimson-peak) ## The Playlist — The Playlist Staff Rating B. 13 October 2015. 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 the review](https://theplaylist.net/review-guillermo-del-toros-crimson-peak-starring-mia-wasikowska-tom-hiddleston-and-jessica-chastain-20151013/) ## Eye for Film — Rebecca Naughten Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 18 October 2015. 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 the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/crimson-peak-2015-film-review-by-rebecca-naughten) ## Collider — Matt Goldberg Rating B-. 16 October 2015. 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 the review](https://collider.com/crimson-peak-review/) ## Consequence — Dominick Suzanne-Mayer Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 14 October 2015. 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 the review](https://consequence.net/2015/10/film-review-crimson-peak/) ## NME Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 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 the review](https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-various-artists-16300-309602) ## Digital Spy — Ali Plumb Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 16 October 2015. 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 the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a673622/crimson-peak-review-jessica-chastain-shines-in-guillermo-del-toros-disappointing-gothic-romance/) ## HeyUGuys — Stefan Pape Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 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 the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/crimson-peak-review/) ## Polygon — Arthur Gies Fi1m's normalised score 20/100 (inferred from the text). 22 October 2015. 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 the review](https://www.polygon.com/2015/10/22/9596084/crimson-peak-review/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/crimson-peak.md