Lilacs are directly and specifically associated with Ellen in Nosferatu (2024). Throughout the film she’s directly seen with lilac flowers, wearing the color lilac, or referenced as smelling like lilacs. The use of lilacs is not just an aesthetic choice, but rather these flowers are used to further deepen Ellen’s story by symbolizing everything from Greek mythology, Victorian flower language, and breaking curses.

Crimson Peak is my all time favorite movie for many reasons. It’s a feminist love letter to classic gothic storytelling that modernizes the genre by subverting many of its tropes. Every single shot of this movie is filled to the brim with so much eye protein that it takes multiple viewings to fully see and appreciate every piece of furniture, the jewelry and fabrics of the costumes, and even the hidden messages and designs in the wallpaper.

However, one of the biggest reasons why Crimson Peak is my favorite is the way it’s completely masterful in how it uses color to add a deeper layer to its storytelling.

I’m going to break down the main colors Crimson Peak features and how they are used to represent characters, emotions, and even continuously foreshadow the final villain. If you haven’t seen Crimson Peak yet, I highly recommend you do as there will be spoilers ahead!