Guillermo Del Toro believes Crimson Peak was doomed by being marketed solely as a horror film, rather than emphasizing its romance and mystery elements. The film received mixed reviews from audiences, criticizing its lack of spookiness, leading to a less-than-stellar box office performance. Despite the disappointing performance, the film director's career experienced a resurgence, with subsequent successful films and multiple Oscar nominations.

The poor box office performance of Crimson Peak is discussed by the film's director. Crimson Peak is a 2015 supernatural horror film directed by Guillermo del Toro, telling the story of what happens when an author is confronted by a mysterious outsider soon after a family tragedy. Crimson Peak features a leading cast including Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain, Tom Hiddleston, Charlie Hunnam, Burn Gorman, and Jim Beaver.

Speaking with Vulture, del Toro discusses Crimson Peak's initial response. According to the director, Crimson Peak's major issue was that...