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<\/a><\/p>\nAs people set out to achieve their biggest desires in life, often times they\u2019re also forced to embark on a distressing journey to find their true sense of self and ideals in the process. Their wish to obtain their personal goals is often tested as they begin to face conflicting values and obstacles that are brought against them by the people who seemingly care about them the most. Director Guillermo del Toro created another captivating fairy tale that explores that all-important process of self-discovery during times of disconcerting struggles between families in his upcoming horror fantasy film, \u2018Crimson Peak,\u2019 which is set to be released in theaters by Universal Pictures on Friday.<\/p>\n
The Academy Award-nominated scribe, who co-wrote the script for the drama with Matthew Robbins, and several of the movie\u2019s actors, including Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain and Tom Hiddleston, recently participated in individual press conferences at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in New York City. The writer-director and actors all discussed how the ideological evolution of the characters in the film\u2019s equally credible and mythical universe relatably contended with their wish to find true love and start a new life, even though they knew they could never actually escape the ghosts of their pasts.<\/p>\n
\u2018Crimson Peak\u2019 follows Edith Cushing (Wasikowska), a young aspiring author who\u2019s living with her father, Sir Carter Cushing (Jim Beaver), in Buffalo, New York, at the turn of the 20th century. Since she was a child, she has been haunted by the loss of her mother. She\u2019s also struggling with her ability to communicate with the souls of the dead, who mysteriously warn her to beware of Crimson Peak.<\/p>\n
Considered to be an outsider in high society, due to her willful imagination, Edith soon finds herself to be torn between two suitors: her childhood companion, Dr. Alan McMichael (Charlie Hunnam), and the seductive Thomas Sharpe (Hiddleston), another outsider who embraces her for who she truly is. When Edith\u2019s father then suddenly dies a mysterious death, Thomas sweeps her away to his luxurious family estate, Allerdale Hall, which is a vast gothic mansion in the remote British hills. Set atop a subterranean mine, the blood-red clay that seeps through the snow and stains the mountainside earns the land the name of Crimson Peak.<\/p>\n
As she begins to adjust to her new life in the towering gothic home, Edith must also adjust to also living with her husband\u2019s sister, Lucille (Chastain), an alluring woman whose affection to her new sister-in-law hide a secret agenda. Edith must also contend with her nightmarish visions and crimson ghosts, and is forced to decipher the mystery of what she\u2019s seeing as she\u2019s soon forced to fight for her life. At the same time, Thomas must decide whether to fight to save his wife or sister, Lucille must keep her dark past hidden and Alan is forced to contemplate how to save the love of his life from a continent away, as love turns to madness and nightmares become reality.<\/p>\n
While initially discussing how Edith\u2019s ever-evolving personality is reflected in her diverse outfits throughout \u2018Crimson Peak,\u2019 Wasikowska noted that the horror film had a fantastic costume designer, Kate Hawley. \u201cThere was a lot of symbolism in the costumes, not only in the colors, but also the shapes,\u201d the Screen Actors Guild Award-nominated actress revealed. \u201cGuillermo and Kate always had this idea that Jessica\u2019s character was like a moth, and my character was like a butterfly. So they always had these costumes that included these various sized wings for me\u2026So yes, I do think there was an emotional connection to the costumes, which show how (Edith) becomes more vulnerable\u2026as she ends up in this troubled romance that isn\u2019t what she expected.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chastain also chimed in on the comparisons her and Wasikowska\u2019s characters have to the animals, saying \u201cFrom the very beginning, Guillermo talked about moths and butterflies. We see Lucille talking about that in the beginning of the movie, and she says, \u201cBlack moths thrive in the dark and the cold, and butterflies are beautiful and fragile\u2026Lucille sees Edith as a butterfly. Even though Lucille sees Edith as fragile and not being able to survive in this world, and she sees herself as being capable of surviving in the dark and the cold, there is this love for this person\u2026She starts off wanting to protect this fragile, beautiful girl.\u201d<\/p>\n
In addition to collaborating on Edith’s costumes, Wasikowska added that it was an overall great experience to work with del Toro on ‘Crimson Peak.’ The performer stated that the director has such \u201ca creative artistic vision for his projects. As an actress, working with a filmmaker who has that vision really helps you know where (your character\u2019s) coming from…so that experience is really wonderful. It helps give you a strong sense of who you are, and where you\u2019re coming from.\u201d<\/p>\n
But Wasikowska also admitted that in some circumstances, the visuals the director created did \u201csuppress the emotional freedom that you feel (as a performer), since things are pre-planned, and you have to abide by him the best you can. But Guillermo never really sacrifices the emotional drive for anything visual\u2026he\u2019s always so free with us actors, and is always willing to move something, or do whatever it takes to help us emotionally.\u201d<\/p>\n
While Chastain also embraced working with the BAFTA Award-winning filmmaker, she laughed as she admitted that playing a character like Lucille that he created was daunting. But the actress insisted that it was exciting to not only collaborate with del Toro, but also Hiddleston and everyone else who worked on the horror film, as \u201cI think they\u2019re all incredible. But I really underestimated the toll that this character was going to take on me. But I was really excited to play Lucille, and I get really happy when I see her in the film.\u201d<\/p>\n
The two-time Oscar-nominated actress also revealed that playing her role in \u2018Crimson Peak\u2019 was so emotionally stressful at times, however, that she decided to leave the movie she was scheduled to take part in right after she finished working for del Toro. She laughed again when she added, \u201cThere was never a day where I thought, this is a fun, light day for Lucille!\u201d<\/p>\n
Wasikowska, who previously worked with Chastain in the 2012 crime drama, \u2018Lawless,\u2019 also said that it was enjoyable to act with her, as well as Hiddleston, on the fantasy drama. The performers who played the newly married couple in ‘Crimson Peak’ previously co-starred in the 2013 romantic horror drama, \u2018Only Lovers Left Alive,\u2019 which lead the main actress to say, \u201cIt\u2019s always nice to work with people who you know, as there\u2019s a level of comfort there. Tom’s very devoted to his craft, and is lovely.” She then divulgled that their characters and their on-screen relationship in their upcoming film is different from their first collaboration.<\/p>\n
When then asked why Edith would be attracted to Thomas, who\u2019s revealed to have villainous qualities throughout the story, Wasikowska admitted that \u201cThere\u2019s that terrible thing that women do at least at least once, where the mysterious person is more attractive than the constant, stable guy. Charlie Hunnam\u2019s character probably would have been the better choice\u201d for her protagonist.<\/p>\n
Lucille \u201cis definitely the darkest character I\u2019ve ever played,\u201d Chastain admitted when she was asked if her equally corrupt character has any redeeming qualities, besides loving Thomas. While the actress did emphasize her character’s antagonist ways, she added that \u201cI found that every act she commits is to give and receive love\u2026Whenever Thomas would do anything wrong when they were children, Lucille would take the punishment for him,\u201d the performer explained. \u201cThe way she showed love for her brother was to be beaten for him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chastain added that while they were filming, she said to Hiddleston, \u201cI don\u2019t understand. Everyone tells me that playing the villain is the most fun. But I\u2019m not having fun. What\u2019s going on?\u201d She added that her co-star told her, \u201cIt\u2019s fun to play the villain when they\u2019re having fun doing what they\u2019re doing.\u201d She laughed when she then noted, \u201cLucille doesn\u2019t really have a good day. Maybe if I got to play a character who was enjoying the suffering she was putting on people, I would play a villain again. But for a little bit, I\u2019m going to look for more positive characters to play.\u201d<\/p>\n
When asked if he feels his villainous character is misunderstood, Hiddleston admitted that he hopes Thomas \u201cconfounds the expectations of the audience. Initially, he is very charismatic and charming, but behind the charisma, you see somebody who has some guilt and shame. Behind the guilt, you also see some vulnerability.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Marvel Cinematic Universe actor was also asked if he\u2019s drawn to play characters who are master manipulators, and laughed when he answered,, \u201cI see the inclination of the question\u2026I don\u2019t know why I play those characters, but I haven\u2019t just played those people. I always want to play different types of people.\u201d Hiddleston added that as a performer, he\u2019s interested in \u201ccomplexity, and exploring different shades of humanity\u2026I\u2019ve also played a lot of soldiers\u2026I\u2019m interested in life, as it isn\u2019t easy for anybody. When I see characters in scripts who are struggling with something, I find that compelling.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hiddleston also spoke about the parallels between Thomas and Loki, his character in the Marvel films, including that people become responsible for their actions as they strive to protect their family\u2019s legacies. \u201cI think we become responsible when we become conscious (of our family\u2019s sins), and we do nothing about it,\u201d the BAFTA Rising Star Award-nominated performer admitted. \u201cOne becomes accountable when one becomes aware of the costs of one\u2019s actions, and continues to follow that course of action,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
\u201cPart of being alive is shifting through your inheritance, and not just parental inheritance, but also the cultural inheritance from your friends and teachers. I think it\u2019s good to question what\u2019s being passed onto you from other people,\u201d the actor also admitted.<\/p>\n
Hiddleston also divulged that Thomas\u2019 personality and actions do change once he marries Edith, as he feels that \u201clove is a powerful force. I do feel that Thomas falls in love with Edith, and it changes the course of his life and his choices…What he does as a result of that does change all of them. The story is about the power of love, particularly a love that\u2019s pure and honest with Edith,\u201d as opposed to the twisted love he has with Lucille.<\/p>\n
Wasikowska added that while Edith and Thomas do develop that pure and honest love, she may have sympathized for Hunnam\u2019s character the most in the film. “Alan was still drawn to Edith, even after she married Thomas. He\u2019s the reliable, dependable guy who\u2019s overlooked,\u201d the actress said. But she also admitted that \u201cIt\u2019s easy to lose your way as you get caught up in the blur of romance, so I can sympathize with Edith (in that sense).\u201d<\/p>\n
When he began discussing the female characters\u2019 feelings of love in \u2018Crimson Peak,\u2019 del Toro revealed that he wanted them \u201cto take charge of themselves, and acquire confidence. The really important love story for Edith is that she learns to love herself and survive.\u201d The director added that he loved the role reversal in the scene when Wasikowska said, \u201cWait here, I\u2019ll come back for you, I promise. That\u2019s the line that guys usually say in movies.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou really rely on the director to guide you in the right direction, and educate you about the tone of the film,\u201d the film\u2019s lead actress explained when asked about collaborating with filmmakers like del Toro on fairy tale stories. But she added that \u2018Crimson Peak\u2019 felt different in quality from other gothic, fairy tale and historical-inspired films she has previously starred in, such as \u2018Alice in Wonderland\u2019 and \u2018Jane Eyre.\u2019<\/p>\n
Wasikowska also explained that she\u2019s attracted to the films with dark themes, as people are \u201cmore repressed in everyday life. There\u2019s always an emphasis on being polite and kind, as people should be, as that\u2019s a civilized society. But I think there\u2019s a certain release you get from exploring the dark side of your psyche.\u201d<\/p>\n
While she then admitted that she\u2019s not a fan of slasher films, Wasikowska added that she feels like \u2018Crimson Peak\u2019 \u201cis a mix of drama and romance. The horror\u2019s very much in the context of the film.\u201d The actress laughed as she added, \u201cWhile (Edith) spent a lot of time in this film being sick and in bed, Guillermo did promise me, \u2018Next week you can stab somebody!\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Chastain also divulged that playing the dark, action-driven scenes in the horror fantasy film were difficult. But she felt that working with del Toro was helpful in bringing those dark moments to the screen, as the director and co-writer \u201chad written each of the characters a 10-page biography. It started from the moment the character was born, and continued until when the movie starts.\u201d The details the filmmaker included in Lucille\u2019s biography helped the actress figure out the reasons behind her menacing actions.<\/p>\n
Besides relying on del Toro’s biography ofLucille, she added hat \u201cWhenever I play a character, I always think about three movies I can be inspired by. For this film, I thought of \u2018Misery,\u2019 \u2018Rebecca\u2019 and \u2018What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hiddleston also spoke of the preparation process he took on for the horror film, saying it was really focused on syncing his ideas and visions with del Toro. \u201cHe gave me some books to read, and guided me to Ann Radcliffe\u2019s \u2018The Mysteries of Udolpho.\u2019 It\u2019s a classic gothic romance novel,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
The actor also divulged that del Toro \u201chad such extraordinary collaborators\u201d on his crew, including Hawley and the film\u2019s production designer, Thomas E. Sanders, whose work also helped him understand Thomas\u2019 motivations. \u201cWithin about half-an-hour of me saying \u2018Yes, I\u2019ll take the part,\u2019 Guillermo loaded me into his car and drove me over to (Pinewood Toronto Studios, where the fantasy film was shot). Tom Sanders showed me a miniature model of the house. So I got to see Crimson Peak five months before we began shooting. So I went back to London with the house\u2019s image in my mind,\u201d Hiddleston noted. He also revealed that Hawley created a big wall that was filled with \u201cpaintings and images that inspired her from the 19th century, including the way people worked on the land.\u201d<\/p>\n
Also speaking about creating the look of the Sharpe mansion on Crimson Peak, del Toro said that he decided to make Allerdale Hall full of \u201ccurves and gothic revival,\u201d so that it can reflect the life the family has been leading. \u201cGothic revival is super swanky. They decided to build a four-story foyer, but then they couldn\u2019t afford to repair it when the ceiling rots. So that tells you the story-it\u2019s a grand mansion with a hole in the heart,\u201d del Toro explained of the Sharpe\u2019s deteriorating finances and place in society.<\/p>\n
When asked if the Sharpe’s house shocked her at all while she was filming, Wasikowska said that \u201cIt\u2019s a strange thing to remember what it\u2019s like to be scared in those circumstances, as (the set\u2019s) always super bright. Even if (a scene was) dim in the film, there were still about 100 lights on the set. There were also 100 people standing around, so it\u2019s the least spooky place to be.\u201d<\/p>\n
The filmmaker added that besides creating a biography for the house, he also felt compelled to do the same for the principal actors and their characters. He added that as soon as he chose the cast for the horror film, he began working on the characters\u2019 biographies, and they were then \u201cpassed to the wardrobe design and production design (departments)\u2026I told them, you have to embody these biographies, including what they wear,\u201d as well as the world the audience sees them live in, the director further explained.<\/p>\n
When asked what her favorite scenes were to film after receiving Lucille\u2019s biography, Chastain laughed as she said, \u201cNot playing the piano! That was a very stressful thing. I probably enjoyed the scenes where Lucille\u2019s in her nightgown, even though they were violent. There\u2019s something in the moment when she loses the constrictive clothing. She\u2019s then free to be who she truly is.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Golden Globe-winning actress added that she tries to make each of her characters as realistic as possible. She explained that she feels that\u2019s important, because \u201cWhen you look at genre films, you constantly see the incredible female performances, like in the three films I mentioned earlier. But then you also have Nicole Kidman in \u2018The Others,\u2019 Sissy Spacek in \u2018Carrie\u2019 and Naomi Watts in \u2018The Ring,\u2019 and you realize again what phenomenal female characters there are in this genre,\u201d Chastain said. She thinks these performances are a result of the situations in these films being heightened, as well as the fact the characters \u201cgo through a huge emotional journey. So I try to make a human being from the words on the page, and try to make her as real as possible. That\u2019s why it was so difficult for me to live in (Lucille\u2019s) skin.\u201d<\/p>\n
When asked if she believes that the experiences Edith has with the ghosts in \u2018Crimson Peak\u2019 can actually happen, Wasikowska revealed that \u201cI believe in the slightly more metaphoric ghosts, as people, events and things can haunt you. What I think the film points out, which is very true, is that the most dangerous thing (in life) can be people.\u201d The actress also admitted that \u201cThe ghosts in the film are there to remind her that the people she\u2019s with are the ones she should be scared of.\u201d<\/p>\n
Also speaking of featuring ghosts in \u2018Crimson Peak\u2019s story, del Toro said, he didn\u2019t want to use them \u201cin the normal way, where they are evil or demonic. I wanted to use them in the way that (writer) Henry James described gothic romance. He said in gothic romance, ghosts prevent the characters from moving into the future.\u201d<\/p>\n
When Wasikowska was also asked if she specifically choose not to make Edith appear as though she was not just afraid of the ghosts she sees, but also Lucille, for most of the movie, the actress revealed that \u201cOver the course of filming, that changed a little bit. I was worried that (Edith) would be very submissive from the beginning\u201d if she did seem to be frightened of her sister-in-law from the time they first met. \u201cI think to get out of that mental torture and abuse, you have to have a strong sense of who you are in the beginning (of the story)\u2026 Guillermo was great in allowing Edith to keep that strength, and to be aware that something wasn\u2019t right from the beginning, so that she wasn\u2019t too victimized.\u201d<\/p>\n
One of the emotional challenges Chastain experienced while playing Lucille was that she filmed \u2018Crimson Peak\u2019 at the same time she shot last year\u2019s crime drama, \u2018A Most Violent Year.\u2019 Earlier this year, she received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress \u2013 Motion Picture, for her role of Anna Morales. \u201cSo I was flying back and forth between New York and Toronto. I would be playing Anna when I was in New York, and she\u2019s so open and sensual\u2026She was fun to play. Then I\u2019d have to go to Toronto and play this uptight woman, who doesn\u2019t allow any vulnerability,\u201d the actress noted. She added that in order to ease back into her role of Lucille when she flew back to the Canadian city, she would look at pictures of the most disturbing images that she could find, which she hung in her trailer. \u201cThat really helped me decipher between the two characters.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chastain added that about a month after filming on \u2018Crimson Peak\u2019 wrapped, del Toro emailed her and said, \u201c\u2018I\u2019m in the editing room, and it looks amazing.\u2019 I emailed him back and said, \u2018I had a really hard time leaving the film. I had to leave another movie, and I\u2019m just starting to feel like myself again.\u2019 I think the only thing you can really do to remind yourself of the goodness in your life (in such situations) is to be around your loved ones.\u201d<\/p>\n