A Color Story: Crimson Peak (2015)

Title: Crimson Peak
Year: 2015
Dir.: Guillermo del Toro
Producer(s): Guillermo del Toro, Callum Greene, Jon Jashni, Thomas Tull
Writer(s): Guillermo del Toro, Matthew Robbins
Costume(s): Kate Hawley
Cinematography: Dan Laustsen

Starring: Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain, Tom Hiddleston, Charlie Hunnam and Jim Beaver

Fun fact: I’ve seen this movie but I don’t remember much about it. I added it into my future watchlist cos I don’t remember a whole lot. But the bonus is that visually, I remember a lot and I think that’s the consensus for a lot of people. The plot is a bit all over the place but the environment, the costumes, the cinematography and colors are *chef’s kiss*.

I think the biggest element is its environment. This is very high gothic, horror gothic, and it’s done beautifully. It reminds me of Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992) or even in later times, the television series, Penny Dreadful (2014) but also, there’s a twinge of art nouveau. How to describe the art movement of art nouveau without visually showing it because you have seen it. EVERYONE has seen it whether you are aware. Um, I would say it is based on nature or nature found shapes and curves. It looks and feels “organic”, like the literal word.

Oh and some uh, art deco!

I can go on and on about these things because I studied, lived and breathed all art history and so I get excited when it comes up in horror because it is very rare to see on screen with horror. These elements are more found in drama or historical fiction or slightly common:  sci-fi.

And if that wasn’t enough, the use of color pops so brightly in a world that’s very cold and somber like. Like color brings the movie to life. Even down to the costumes, the use of color is purposeful. The looks are Victorian with interesting textures and colors, long trains, full skirts and in material that looks like satin, perhaps corduroy or thin cotton as a nightgown. But deep reds, olive greens, light pinks, pear green, white and the darkest shades of black available are common clothing colors found.

But the biggest take away are the uses of color. Most common colors found are red (passion, anger, love, danger), black (death, evil, mystery, elegance), white (purity, innocence, safety),and green (nature, safety, jealousy). And these colors tell you everything you need to know about this film.

It comes down to using complimentary colors and another pair that represents good vs evil.

Have you seen Crimson Peak? What did you think of it? Leave a comment below and I’ll see you guys next week!