The Haunting of Hill House, Netflix’s 10-episode horror series created by Mike Flanagan based on Shirley Jackson‘s classic 1959 novel, is far more than just a haunted house tale filled with jump scares. At its core, the show is a deeply moving character study about the long-lasting impacts of childhood trauma on a family. Through the lens of the supernatural, it thoughtfully explores grief, mental illness, addiction, and the ways we can become prisoners of our own minds.
Centred around the Crain family, the plot alternates between two timelines: the summer of 1992, when the Crains lived for a short time in the ominous Hill House to renovate and flip it, and the present day, 26 years later, as the now adult siblings are still grappling with the horrors that occurred there. In a refreshing twist for the horror genre, the show takes its time developing the characters and their relationships, spanning several episodes before the ghosts even begin to emerge.
We come to intimately know each member of the fractured Crain clan, from the stoic older brother Steven, to the psychic artist Theo, to the troubled drug addict Luke. At the heart of the story is the sensitive Eleanor, or Nell, exquisitely portrayed by Victoria Pedretti. Nell’s character arc is the most compelling, as we witness her lonely childhood, her increasing connection to the mysteries of Hill House, and the mental deterioration that leads to her tragic end.
Pedretti’s vulnerable performance makes us feel protective of the shy, awkward Nell, while also filling us with dread knowing her fate. Nell’s ghost haunts her siblings, quite literally, as they all still bear the guilt and scars of failing to save their sister.
Showrunner Mike Flanagan, known for horror films like Oculus and Hush, masterfully generates an atmosphere of creeping dread throughout the series. The production design of The Haunting of Hill House itself is stunning, with its looming exterior and dark, maze-like halls. In lieu of predictable jump scares, the show relies on subtle background ghosts and clever camera work to create tension. We peer around corners and down hallways along with the characters, catching fleeting shapes and figures in our peripheral vision. Flanagan also utilizes extensive long takes, allowing scenes to unfold in real time without cuts. This technique draws the viewer deeper into the emotion of key moments.
The supernatural manifestations become increasingly chilling as the show goes on, leading to some legitimately terrifying sequences. However, the most horrifying aspect is the insidious way the house preys on its inhabitants’ psyches. The Crain children, especially sensitive Nell, are profoundly shaped by their brush with the paranormal at such a young age. The ghosts come to represent their inner demons, anxieties, and repressed memories surrounding their mother’s death.
“Nell’s character arc is the most compelling, as we witness her lonely childhood, her increasing connection to the mysteries of Hill House, and the mental deterioration that leads to her tragic end.”
Olivia Crain, played with an unsettling edge by Carla Gugino, succumbs to madness in Hill House, leading to a tragic outcome that splits the family apart. As adults, the Crain siblings are haunted by fragmented memories of their mother’s descent into insanity and the role the house played. Each sibling has coped in different dysfunctional ways, from Luke’s drug addiction to Steven’s staunch denial of the supernatural.
Flanagan and his team of writers cleverly scatter clues and Easter eggs throughout the series, rewarding close viewing. The ending brings an emotional payoff as the Crains finally come to terms with their shared trauma and make peace with the ghosts of their past. Their mother issues a warning, though, that echoes the theme of the show: “You have to wake up now.”
For all its frights and ghostly figures, The Haunting of Hill House is ultimately a story of redemption, forgiveness, and the bonds of family. It explores powerful themes of how our childhoods shape us and how laying ghosts to rest can set us free.
Beyond its poignant story, The Haunting of Hill House demonstrates masterful and innovative horror filmmaking techniques. Flanagan subverts many standard horror tropes, choosing atmosphere and emotional resonance over cheap scares. Hill House establishes dread through slow burns, subtle details, and psychological terror. The camerawork, editing, music, and set design all contribute to an increasingly unsettling mood.
Many scenes are presented in long, unbroken takes, including a memorable 6-minute single shot during Nell’s funeral. The fluid camera weaves through the characters, picking up background ghosts that go unnoticed. This approach pulls us deeply into the emotional reality of the scene while creating tension as ghosts creep into the margins.
The production design of The Haunting of Hill House itself is a marvel. The cavernous sets, endless hallways, and rooms within rooms have a disorienting, maze-like quality. The house perfectly reflects the psyches of its inhabitants, with distorted spatial dimensions and unseen presences lurking in the shadows. The iconic “Bent-Neck Lady” ghost, with her disturbing elongated neck, becomes a frightening recurring presence.
The soundtrack also forgoes typical horror music cues. Dissonant strings and unsettling ambient tones generate an atmosphere of melancholy and foreboding. The sound design layers in ghostly whispers and unexplained noises. Flanagan toys with viewer expectations, allowing scenes to build gradually without predictable jump scares.
Clever editing seamlessly transitions between the past and present timelines. Young actors play the Crain children in 1992, with uncanny resemblances to their adult counterparts. The editing moves fluidly through fragmented memories, dreams, and ghosts that blur the lines between reality and the surreal.
“Flanagan subverts many standard horror tropes, choosing atmosphere and emotional resonance over cheap scares.”
The Haunting of Hill House is one of the best horror shows in recent memory. It will satisfy viewers looking for top-notch supernatural scares and suspense. But it has layers beyond just shock value, setting it apart from standard horror fare.
At its heart, The Haunting of Hill House is about the enduring effects of childhood trauma on a family. Expert storytelling and acting bring each character to life and make us deeply invested in their fates. Stunning production design and camerawork transport us into the creepy world of Hill House alongside the characters.
Mike Flanagan has crafted a horror masterpiece that is equally terrifying and emotionally resonant. The series explores powerful themes of grief, mental illness, and addiction through the lens of the paranormal. It culminates in a poignant message about letting go of the ghosts that haunt us.
Fans of horror, gothic fiction, and psychological thrillers will all find something to love about The Haunting of Hill House. It fully delivers on scares but also leaves viewers moved by its damaged yet resilient characters. The show represents horror at its finest – using elements of fear and the uncanny to reveal fundamental truths about being human. This is a must-watch series for any horror aficionado or simply any fan of great storytelling.
