86/100
Del Toro does Gothic romance, and it's as emotionally charged, visually luscious, and batshit insane as you'd expect. An underlying presence of swirly horror heightens an already painstakingly artificial canvas of candlelight and romance, but it is within the spatial movement of gorgeously costumed actors relating to a mysterious house that bursts with spookiness. Crimson Peak, even in its smaller details, is ravishing.
In fact, I was so immediately swept up in its Digital ode to analog terrors, with Del Toro's use of classical filmmaking techniques such as wipes and irises casting an ever-potent spell, that even a simple waltz carried me into a realm of overwhelming devotion. It's a film of distinct control within its proudly conventional roots,…