‘Crimson Peak’ Early Buzz: Is This Del Toro’s Horror Movie Masterpiece?
Writer-directorGuillermo del Toro’sCrimson Peakmade a surprising debut this weekend at a festival well-suited for the film. The romantic horror picture, from the director ofPan’s LabyrinthandPacific Rim, probably wouldn’t have fit in at Toronto or the ongoing NYFF. But at Austin’s Fantastic Fest, del Toro’s latest was perfect for the genre-oriented film festival. To no one’s surprise, the first wave of Crimson Peak reviews are positive.
No official reviews have come out of Fantastic Fest just yet. The film, which starsTom HiddlestonandMia Wasikowska, is embargoed until two days before its release next month, which, based on the reactions out of Austin, is strange. As an original, somewhat costly R-rated horror movie,Crimson Peakhas an uphill battle to fight at the box-office, so one would think Universal would want to generate as much early buzz as possible, and so far, the buzz is quite positive.
Months ago del Toro receivedtweets of approvalfromStephen KingandJoe Hill, calling it “gorgeous and just fucking terrifying,” but now critics have weighed in on the film.
CRIMSON PEAK: Frighteningly beautiful – crazy creepy but not jump-scary. Some of Jessica Chastain’s finest work. Gorgeous stuff, dug it lots
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis)June 02, 2025
Crimson Peak is wonderfully designed and Jessica Chastain maniacally owns every scene she’s in. Although, could use more scares & melodrama.
— Jordan Raup (@jpraup)August 23, 2025
If you love the films of@RealGDTyou will love Crimson Peak. It’s gorgeous, gross but also romantic. There’s so much atmosphere it nuts.
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier)August 04, 2025
I wish Universal luck with CRIMSON PEAK. I liked it a lot, but there’s no hook, in the best possible way, for “selling” its complexities.
— Todd Gilchrist (@mtgilchrist)June 27, 2025
CRIMSON PEAK: A classical ghost story punctuated by gnarly violence and images of terrible beauty. This is movie is sumthin' else.
— Jacob Hall (@JacobSHall)June 17, 2025
Period Guillermo del Toro is best, as Crimson Peak attests. Beautiful, creepy, tragic.#FantasticFest@cclegit
— George A. Hickman (@popmortem)July 04, 2025
Fingers crossed general audiences have a similar reaction tonext month. TheseCrimson Peakreviews are correct. It is a gorgeous movie, representing the best of del Toro’s work. Del Toro has calledCrimson Peakone of three films of he’s most proud of, with the other two beingPan’s LabyrinthandThe Devil’s Backbone.Crimson Peakdefinitely feels as personal as those two movies. Once again, del Toro expresses nothing but love for his deeply human but damaged monsters. IsCrimson Peaka gothic horror masterpiece? No, but it’s a very good gothic horror movie.
Also, keep in mind, the film relies more on its romance than scares.Crimson Peakis a romance first, horror movie second — something audiences might not be expecting next month.
Del Toro hasn’t always had an easy time getting projects off the ground. We don’t see many horror movies likeCrimson Peakmade at this scale for a reason. This is a risky project, but no more risky than del Toro’sstalled adaptationofAt The Mountains of Madness. HopefullyCrimson Peakis a hit at the box-office, so del Toro can finally get the clout he deserves. TheHellboydirector’s work hasn’t always done gangbusters at the box-office, but he almost always delivers the goods.
