The Fall of the House Usher is the latest Neflix gem from Mike Flanagan. if you love horror oR psychological thrillers, drop everything and watch it now.
Honestly, I don’t get why people aren’t raving about the dark, yet wild ride that is Netflix’s latest gem, The Fall of the House of Usher. Trust me, you might be planning to watch it a some point. But, let me paint a picture of why you should be watching it now.
I can’t say this enough. This miniseries is a MASTERPIECE. We’re not just talking about your run-of-the-mill horror flick with jump scares and gore just for the sake of gore. This isn’t some demonic horror story that relies on the darkness that lurks around the corner. Nah, The Fall of the House of Usher is thought-provoking, edge-of-your-seat stuff. It’s like Mike Flanagan, the genius behind the lens, decided to school us in storytelling, and boy, does he deliver.
Edgar Allen Poe laid the ominous blueprint
Real quick take on the original story. The great Edgar Allen Poe weaved a tale of decay and despair, centered around a crumbling mansion and the ill-fated Usher bloodline with an immersive setup.
"“Many books and musical instruments lay scattered about, but failed to give any vitality to the scene. I felt that I breathed an atmosphere of sorrow. An air of stern, deep, and irredeemable gloom hung over and pervaded all [Edgar Allan Poe].”"
Poe’s narrative highlighted themes of friendship, mental anguish, and the supernatural, with the Usher family’s tragic end leaving readers with a chilling sense of inevitability.
In this adaptation, Flanagan has done Edgar Allan Poe proud, brilliantly bringing this haunting story to life. In case you’re new to Mike Flanagan, he’s the brains behind Gerald’s Game, The Haunting of Hill House, and The Haunting of Bly Manor. Dude is amazing.
Flanagan blends dark and poetic in a chilling, yet beautifully crafted world where every shadow whispers a story with a narrative strung together by blood. Flanagan has outdone himself this time. He’s not just a director; he’s a maestro, orchestrating a symphony of suspense, horror, and emotion that hits you right in the feels.
Netflix took The Fall of the House of Usher to a new level
Here’s the plot. Imagine a tale spun around greed, generational curses, and the desperate lengths a brother and sister go to claw their way to success after years of turmoil. It’s like watching a train wreck in slow motion – you can’t look away. Nor do you want to because you care about these people, and hoping someone would pull the lever. You’re there, witnessing a man’s heart-wrenching regret as he realizes the cost of trading life for a future drenched in power and riches.
As I’ve said, the series is more than just a horror story — it’s a spiritual journey too. We’re talking ancient Egyptian gods and goddesses level of deep. It’s not thrown in your face, instead, it’s woven into the narrative like a thread you can’t see, but pull it, and everything falls apart. The evil in this series? It’s not your typical boogeyman. It’s not a man at all, the amazing Carla Gugino plays the complex character that is neither good nor evil. She wanders the world in a realm not bound by space or time, hand-in-hand with those willing to trade their joy for a shot at power and superficial happiness.
There’s so much to love about The Fall of the House of Usher, especially its stellar cast. The dynamic portrayal of Roderick Usher by Bruce Greenwood, and his younger version played by Zach Gilford, is nothing short of amazing. So was Mary McDonnell and Willa Fitzgerald’s (young) ability to bring depth to the character of Madeline Usher. As always, Kate Siegel makes a memorable appearance, joining other ‘Haunting’ alumni like Rahul Kohli and T’Nia Miller. And, of course, the presence of acting greats like Mark Hamill and Carl Lumbly elevates the series to new heights.
It isn’t just a series — it’s an experience. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions and a profound lesson wrapped in a cloak of horror. If you’re in for a series that will keep you thinking long after the credits roll, this is it. It was an absolute masterclass. Mike Flanagan, you’ve done it again, my friend – take a bow.