Guillermo del Toro returns to the horror genre (sort of) with his new Gothic romance Crimson Peak, which screened as one of the secret screenings at Fantastic Fest in Austin, TX three weeks ago. More a classic ghost story (or story with a ghost in it) than the horror film it’s being marketed as in the trailers, Crimson Peak is a very straightforward tale that is reminiscent of the “adult fairy tale” Pan’s Labyrinth. It is a beautiful film with very few surprises up its sleeve, but you won’t really care since you’ll be mesmerized by what you’re seeing on screen.

Set in the late 19th century, Crimson Peak opens with a young Edith Cushing (Sofia Wells) as she is warned by her mother’s ghost about a place called Crimson Peak. Flash forward a few years, and an older Edith (Mia Wasikowska, Alice in Wonderland, Stoker) is a bright young woman with aspirations to be a novelist. After her father mysteriously dies, Edith quickly marries Sir Thomas Sharpe (Tom Hiddelston, Thor, Only Lovers Left Alive) and moves into his mansion under the scrutinizing eye of his sister Lucille (Jessica Chastain, Mama, Interstellar). The mansion has been nicknamed Crimson Peak by the local townsfolk (due to the fact that it rests atop a clay mine that causes the snow to become stained red with clay), a fact Edith becomes aware of after having moved there. Once settled in, Edith begins seeing horrifying ghosts roaming the halls and begins an investigation to find out what exactly it is that they want.

At nearly two hours, Crimson Peak takes its time to get going.  We don’t actually reach the titular mansion until about the 45-minute mark of the film. del Toro does a wonderful job keeping you distracted though, as Edith is a compelling lead character. Both Hiddleston and Charlie Hunnam (who has a surprisingly small role) are serviceable in their respective roles, but the women are the centerpieces of the film.

Wasikowska and Chastain both nail their roles. Wasikowska is an actress I have been ambivalent towards in the past (blame Alice in Wonderland), but she balances Edith’s helplessness and her headstrong qualities remarkably well. She’s not a damsel in distress. She is a woman in charge, which is refreshing to see. As the ice-cold Lucille, Chastain also commands the screen. She is able to convey a sense of vulnerability under Lucille’s hostile demeanor.

Jessica Chastaine as Lady Lucille Sharpe

The costumes in Crimson Peak are absolutely gorgeous. It’s cliché to say that a period piece should get the Academy Award for Best Costumes, but it’s simply true here. The real stars of the show are the cinematography and production design. Crimson Peak is one of the most beautifully shot films to come out in some time. Every frame has something that catches your eye, and del Toro proves once again that he is a fantastic director. The attention to detail is astounding. Never has the color red looked so attractive in a film. Regrettably, the script frequently play second fiddle to the visuals, but it’s never so distracting that it takes you out of the film.

del Toro has been known as a filmmaker who regularly goes against expectations, so it’s a little disappointing to note that nothing about Crimson Peak is particularly surprising. The film plays out mostly as you would expect and if, like me, you have seen the trailer every time you went to the movies over the past few months, then you have seen most clips of most of the movie. This isn’t to say the trailer spoils anything major. There are still plenty of things to see in Crimson Peak, but unfortunately the trailer shows multiple shots from the final reel of the film.

That being said, there is still plenty to recommend about Crimson Peak, and I imagine it will play better on repeat viewings once the anticipation and initial excitement has worn off. You may start to appreciate the finer details of the film at that point. The best way to go into Crimson Peak would be completely blind, but in this day and age that is nearly impossible with a big budget studio film, so I can only advise you to temper your expectations, sit back and enjoy the beautiful ride that is Guillermo del Toro’s Crimson Peak.