The Haunting of Hill House | A Masterpiece in Terror and Drama

" Then I screamed. I screamed because I hit the floor and it startled me, and it was like I only just remembered  'oh, right. I can scream. I should probably scream.'" - Ms. Walker. EP 1 "Steven Sees a Ghost"

"A ghost can be a lot of things. A

memory, a daydream. A secret.

Guilt, grief, anger. But in my

experience, most times they’re just

what we want to see" - Steven Crain, EP 1 "Steven Sees a Ghost"

The Haunting of Hill House is a Netflix Original Series adapted from the 1959 Shirley Jackson novel, (which came out the same year as another Shirley Jackson adaptation We Have Always Lived in the Castle(2018)), and was directed by Mike Flanagan. HOHH was produced by FlanaganFilm, Ambin, and Paramount Television. It stars the acting talent of Michiel Huisman(Steven Crain), Carla Gugino(Olivia Crain), Henry Thomas(Hugh Crain),Elizabeth Reaser(Shirley Harris), Oliver Jackson-Cohen(Luke Crain), Kate Siegel('Theo' Crain) and Victoria Pedretti('Nell' Crain). For a full list of Cast and Crew.

Novel adaptations are not a new concept. Whether its Sphere(1998), Cujo(1983), or even Under the Tuscan Sun(2003), Filmmakers have always found a way to take the literature they have enjoyed and create something which is a synthesis of both of their author and the directors creative talents. So when I heard that one of Shirley Jackson's most famous books, one that's touted as the one of the scariest ghosts stories written, I was beyond excited. To be honest, I did sit on the show for a bit but as Netflix has renewed the show for a season two titled Bly House,(a retelling of the gothic classic Turning of the Screw), and many critics had made comparisons between HOHH and last years Marianne, I felt it was my duty to dig into this modern gothic tale.

Now some adaptations are very faithful like Neverending Story(1984) or Jurassic Park(1993), while others take a much more liberal approach such as The Lightning Thief(2010) and 2004s A series of Unfortunate events. HOHH takes the later approach, instead of using the original cast of the novel centers around the lives of the Crain Family, as they battle the literal and figurative ghosts of the past. The story is from two different timelines one from the present where sibling rivalries and the horrors of adulthood rear its ugly head, and the past which tries to explain the mysteries of the house and the strange events that happened one fateful night.

One thing that I loved about the show was the overall air of mystery that permeated the story, the mcguffin of the Red Room, the various little odd pieces like the bent-neck lady, Theo's gloves, and Leah's and Steven's separation. There where so many pieces of the story that made you wonder. That left you hungry for the truth and made you keep going into you could slake your thirst. Another great aspect of the show was how between the horror and terror was the drama. The way characters interacted, their Faults, Foibles, and Failings, all of this culminated into a heartfelt and intense interactions between many of the characters. Some of the best scenes throughout the series where not due to the scare factor but between the strength of the characters.

Considering the Literary beginnings and the dramatic elements of the work it is no surprise that one thing that absolutely shines in this series is the dialogue. The are many points throughout the series where the characters will monologue and while some such as Theos 'nothing' in episode 8 "Witness Marks" are used for character development many others such as Ms. Walkers description of her husband in Episode 1, Mr. Dudley speaking about why he won't work after dark in Episode 7, and the absolutely fantastic twin scene from Episode 9 "Screaming Meemies" are used to help deliver the terror of the show.

I would like to take a bit of time to explain the concept of Horror and Terror as I feel its important to understand the show. Terror can be seen as a anticipation and the suspense before while horror is the shock and revulsion after. Terror is the implication, Horror is the realization. (For comparison consider the first dream sequence in Marianne where her fiance turns around v e r y slowly vs her mother's scarification in a later episode.) HOHH is at many times tense and unsettling where their is something terribly wrong but your not exactly sure how. Its like staring into a mirror for so long intensely studying every detail until everything looks slightly off, that you know for certain something is not right, that something should not be there but you can't tell what until your reflection looks away from you. To interpret HOHH by modern horror standards is a misstep as its purpose is not to alarm and shock you. It is to coax you in, sit you down, and make you wonder why your tea taste funny as your eyes water and your throat closes. HOHH is not horrifying but it is unsettling, it is uncanny, and it is, of course, terrifying.

For those that enjoy playing who's who's in the horror genre then your up for a treat as HOHH has an ensemble cast, notable members include Director Mike Flanagan, (Director of Gerald's Game(2017), Ouija:Origin of Evil(2016), Before I wake(2016), Hush(2016), and Oculus(2013)), Kate Siegel(Hush), Victoria Pedretti(YOU), Lulu Wilson (Annabelle:Creation(2017), Ouija: OOE), Carla Gugino(Gerald's Game). and Mckenna Grace(Annabelle Comes Home(2019)). HOHH has a lot of recognizable faces whether they were the last girl or scared child of some of the biggest horror movies of the last decade or like with Hugh Crains actors, (Timothy Hutton, Henry Thomas) have been in the industry for awhile. Giving the pedigree of the cast its not surprise that HOHH delivers when in comes to acting putting its drama aspects to good use. The shows resolution is beyond heartfelt as the characters have revelations, mend bonds, grow in a way that wouldn't be possible without every characters excellent performances.

Haunting of Hill House provides something that was perhaps lost in the horror genre. I tightly packed and well polished story that is more about the history and past of people's life then the inane reasonings of serial killers and ghosts. HOHH tells a different kind of story mixing mystery, terror, and drama together into an intriguing ghost story that most scares and resolves us. It deserves every amount of hype it gets and I'm absolutely excited to see how this anthology series will take us in the future.

"I've lived with ghosts since I was a kid. Since before I knew they were even there. Ghosts are guilt, ghosts are secrets, ghosts are regrets and failing but most times, most times Ghosts are a wish" Steven Crain, EP 10 "Silence Lay Steadily"