Guillermo del Toro directs Mia Wasikowska, Tom Hiddleston and Jessica Chastain in this gory, supernatural, gothic romance.

Like a Tarantino film this cribs shamelessly from everywhere; sometimes the immediately obvious (Rebecca, The Innocents) other times the more unlikely or obscure (Eyes Without a Face, The Age of Innocence). It is a patchwork of other great films yet that does not diminish the enthusiasm and confidence in how Del Toro sews all the silk scraps together. Speaking off needlework – the frocks (and the ladies in them) are magnificent, speaking of piercing – the horror is gloopily persuasive. I really have enjoyed this on all rewatches. In turns it is both high brow and pulp, I find it so very glossily satisfying. My favourite Del Toro.

9