Guillermo del Toro: Universal’s Horror Pitch Doomed Crimson Peak — Why the Gothic Romance Needs a Rewatch
Guillermo del Toro’s film Crimson Peak was released on October 16, 2015. The movie stars Mia Wasikowska, Tom Hiddleston and Jessica Chastain, and it was produced on a reported budget of $55 million with worldwide box office receipts of $74.7 million. The film was shot around a purpose-built set called Allerdale Hall and was marketed by Universal Pictures with emphasis on its supernatural and horror elements.
- Marketing and trailer
- Genre context and quotes
- Comparisons to del Toro’s other films
- Visuals and the Allerdale Hall set
- Sources and links
Film basics and release
The film premiered in October 2015 and is publicly registered as a gothic romance with supernatural elements. It was financed and distributed by Universal Pictures and produced under Legendary Pictures. Principal cast credits include Mia Wasikowska as Edith Cushing, Tom Hiddleston as Thomas Sharpe and Jessica Chastain as Lucille Sharpe. The set known as Allerdale Hall was constructed specifically for the production.
Marketing and trailer
Universal’s promotional materials positioned Crimson Peak toward horror audiences at release, and the theatrical trailer highlighted jump scares and paranormal elements. The trailer that accompanied the film’s campaign presents the movie as a ghost story rather than primarily a gothic romance.
Director Guillermo del Toro later commented on the film’s promotion and audience targeting. In a 2024 interview he said, The thing that will always, pun intended, haunt that movie is that it was sold as a horror movie,
and he added that promotional meetings “were all targeted toward getting the horror audience for the opening weekend. And I knew we were doomed!” This remark was reported by Vulture.
Genre context and quotes
Crimson Peak is regularly described in production notes and reviews as a gothic romance that includes supernatural imagery. The film’s narrative centers on romance and family relationships set against a spooky backdrop, rather than functioning solely as a conventional horror film.
Within the film, the line The horror was for love.
is spoken by the character Lucille Sharpe and appears in published scripts and scene references.
Comparisons to del Toro’s other films
Del Toro’s earlier Spanish-language film The Devil’s Backbone (2001) is categorized by many outlets as gothic horror, while Pacific Rim (2013) is recorded as a science-fiction action film. These prior classifications influenced public expectations for Crimson Peak at the time of its release.
Del Toro has also commented on his next project at the time of the reporting, a Mary Shelley adaptation of Frankenstein. In an interview reported by Variety, he stated, It’s an emotional story for me. It’s as personal as anything. I’m asking a question about being a father, being a son… I’m not doing a horror movie — ever.
In 30 years, I have seen 3 wonderful films hampered and hobbled by misguided marketing- this is one. As producer, It hurts. But those that know- know. It still made over 300M globally and announced the feature arrival of my brilliant pal, @pramsey342 https://t.co/NM30Km1RFn
— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) November 21, 2023
Visuals and the Allerdale Hall set
The production design of Crimson Peak has been documented in production stills and press materials. Allerdale Hall is described in set notes as having green wallpaper, a partially open roof that allows snowfall inside, and grounds affected by red clay in visual references. These elements were created on the purpose-built set.
Press photography and studio credits associated with the film list photographers and agencies for promotional images, and archival images are held by several collections. One credited image in press materials is attributed to Kerry Hayes/Universal Pictures/Everett Collection.
Additional production stills and promotional photography were released through the distributor and the film’s press kits during the 2015 marketing campaign.
Sources and links
Reporting and quotes used in this summary appear in the following sources: an interview and feature in Vulture, and an interview concerning del Toro’s Frankenstein project in Variety. The trailer referenced above is available on YouTube at the exact link shown earlier.
