The Haunting Of Hill House (2018) Dir: Mike Flanagan
Instagram post:
After a number of people had sung the praises of this limited series since its release in 2018, I finally got round to watching it.
Based on the book of the same name by Shirley Jackson, this Netflix original was written and directed by Mike Flanagan, who is the same person who created both 'Midnight Mass' and 'The Haunting Of Bly Manor', both have seen plenty of acclaim.
As the name no doubt reveals, this is firmly placed into the horror genre, with a number of severely sinister and disturbing scenes throughout the show's 10 episodes.
However, I found this to be so much more than a story designed purely to frighten. The series addresses some key themes of life, specifically grief, addiction and trauma.
I also appreciate that each character is given at least one episode in which they are the focus, which helps to allow the characters to have a substantial level of development, as well as helping the audience to connect with each of them as much as possible. The pilot was intriguing, though inevitably rather exposition heavy.
Episode 3 was a standout for me, it was very good, but also one of the most disturbing. The best episode is by far episode 6 though, because it is beautifully choreographed, featuring two long-running shots that are well constructed and move around the plot in a satisfying flow.
The dialogue for this episode is also some of the best in the series. The lead up to the season's conclusion is superbly crafted and leads to a very satisfying conclusion.
Victoria Pedretti is incredible in her leading role, I couldn't help but be impressed by some of her acting - the way she controls her facial expressions and vocal levels is astonishing. She was the star of the show to me.
One of the other star performers in the series is Oliver Jackson-Cohen, who shows his character's journey and development masterfully, providing a deep, endearing and heartwrenching portrayol of a very troubled character.
Carla Gugino makes for a mysterious mother and wife, particularly with her display of sudden, loud emotions, delivered in often quiet and melancholic ways. Her eyes told the audience so much, something that I found to be a very useful tool for her and the series.
Michiel Huismen is unlikeable, for the most part, but this is evidently by design. He manages to carry this off with an ease that is befitting his persona, but equally manages to show his character's developments very well.
Elizabeth Reaser is perhaps the weakest of the main cast, but that is not to say she gives a bad performance. On the contrary, she still shows moments of immence ability, particularly in the aforementioned episode 6.
Kate Siegel, who Flanagan would later cast in 'Midnight Mass', makes for a fascinating character, whose realistic mannerisms and persona make for a very believable character.
Timothy Hutton's performance grew throughout the series, with the final few episodes being true highlights for him, in my view. He delivered exactly what his character needed to in such a satisfying way.
I'll also mention a number of actors who did phenomenally, but I simply do not have the time to go into detail on; Henry Thomas, Lulu Wilson, McKenna Grace, Paxton Singleton, Julian Hilliard, Violet McGraw, Samantha Sloyan, Annabeth Gish, Robert Longstreet, Olive Abercrombie and in particular Anthony Ruivivar, who was a standout of the supporting cast.
Overall, this is another excellent limited series from Mike Flanagan, whose undeniable talent for creating quality narratives cannot be understated. This series is a must watch for fans of clever storytelling and horror.
Comments