Comfort Films 106: Crimson Peak (2015)

In this second pick for our Gothic Romance month, we discuss the stylish and evocative Guillermo Del Toro film Crimson Peak. This movie is Del Toro's homage to the great literature and film in the genre, including Hitchcock's Rebecca, Jane Eyre, The Mysteries of Udolpho, The Monk, and the work of Mario Bava. Del Toro also brings in some of his own obsessions like insects and ghosts to put his distinctive stamp on the genre, honoring its tropes in some ways and subverting them in others to bring a fresh, modern take to the well explored plot. We discuss the amazing and complex production design by Tom Sanders, the use of color in the film to suggest contrast between characters and settings, the importance of Kate Hawley's intricate costume design, and many other facets of this brilliant and enthralling film. Light a candle, throw on your fanciest nightgown, and explore the dark corners of Allerdale Hall with us!