Crimson Peak, written, directed, and produced by Guillermo del Toro, is a 2015 gothic horror romance. Del Toro is a Mexican filmmaker known for his fantastical horror and science fiction films, such as Mimic (1997), Hellboy (2004), Pan’s Labyrinth (2006), Pacific Rim (2013), and The Shape of Water (2017). In September 2015 Crimson Peak premiered at Fantastic Fest and went on to have a full theatrical release on October 16th. The film was distributed by Universal Pictures and had a $55 million budget, significantly more than even The Babadook and The Invitation combined. Crimson Peak made $74.7 million at the box office but still received mixed reviews (IMDbPro). Writers from The New Yorker and The Independent criticized the film for having too many elements and an underdeveloped plot, however most critics praised the film for its artful contrast between horror and beauty (Brody; Macnab). Opposing Brody’s review, Peter Travers wrote for Rolling Stone about the film’s extravagance, saying “Guillermo del Toro doesn't merely direct movies. He paints them, dreams them, shapes them into private fantasies. Too much? Of course. But that's part of the fun.” Stephen King described the film as electrifying as well as “[g]orgeous and just fucking terrifying” (Collis). Similarly, The Telegraph’s Robbie Collin called the style and tone of Crimson Peak “voluptuously horrible” (Collin). Sheila O’Malley of RogerEbert.com compared Del Toro’s work to other gothic tales such as Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein,” F.W. Murnau’s Nosferatu, and Alfred Hitchcock’s Rebecca (O’Malley). While perhaps not as iconic as Hitchock, Del Toro is still a well-known and respected horror director. After releasing Crimson Peak, Del Toro went on to win the Academy Award for Best Picture for his 2018 film The Shape of Water. Crimson Peak was not nominated for any Academy Awards but did win two Saturn Awards for Best Supporting Actress and Best Production Design (IMDb). 

Guillermo Del Toro’s ghost story takes place in 1901. Crimson Peak is the story of Edith Cushing, an aspiring American author who finds herself in trouble when she marries Sir Thomas Sharpe, an English baronet. As a child, Edith was cautioned by the ghost of her mother to “beware crimson peak,” a warning she could not interpret at the time. Years later she meets the Sharpe siblings and becomes taken with Thomas, but her father Carter is suspicious and after finding damning information about the duo, is mysteriously killed. Following her father’s death, Edith marries Thomas and moves to Cumberland, England to live at Allerdale Hall with him and his older sister Lucille. Allerdale Hall is a decaying mansion of horror and mystery. The estate sits upon a red clay mine and has been sinking slowly over the years. Red clay oozes from the walls of Allerdale and a massive hole in the ceiling lets in falling leaves and snow. Edith begins to see dripping red ghosts in the manor, but when she tells Thomas and Lucille, they dismiss her frightened claims. Despite their denial, Edith starts to uncover the dark secrets of the house when, Thomas tells her how the red clay seeps through the snow in the winter there, earning it the name “Crimson Peak.” Edith finally understands her mother’s warning and realizes that she is in real danger. She begins to communicate with the ghosts she sees, and through their aid discovers that Thomas has married multiple wealthy women over the years and allowed Lucille to kill each one of them.  It is clear that the pair intend to do the same to Edith, and she attempts to avoid the poisoned tea mentioned by the ghosts. Meanwhile, in America, Dr. Alan McMichael, a friend of the Cushings, continues to investigate Carter’s suspicious death. He too learns of Thomas’ previous marriages before uncovering that Lucille killed the pair’s mother, and rushes to Cumberland to save Edith. In a horrifying turn of events, Edith finds out that on top of the murders, Thomas and Lucille have been in an incestuous relationship since childhood. Scared for her life and betrayed by her husband, Edith attempts to escape the haunted Allerdale Hall with a wounded Dr. McMichael in tow. 

In the end, Thomas tells Lucille that he is really in love with Edith and attempts to end their relationship. This news crushes Lucille and in response she stabs her brother, killing him. Driven mad by her actions and almost unnaturally determined, she sets out to kill Edith once and for all. In a bloody battle atop the red-stained snow, the women fight to the death. Aided by Thomas' ghost, Edith is able to distract Lucille and kill her with a shovel. Edith and Alan finally flee the mansion, leaving Thomas and Lucille’s ghosts to haunt the property together for eternity.  

These summaries are important for understanding the films and preparing readers for chapter four. In the following chapter, I will present my full comparative analysis of The Babadook, The Invitation, and Crimson Peak.