Over the years, Netflix has boasted an extensive catalog of horror movies and shows, yet even six years later, best horror series. Netflix always has a strong mix of genres in its repertoire, but horror is one place that is never lacking. From Monster to All of Us Are Dead, the service offers a number of creepy shows that range from serial killers to the paranormal. There are even shows that perfectly blend genres, like Stranger Things or Black Mirror. Yet, one series is truly the scariest.
Released in 2018, The Haunting of Hill House is a modern-day adaptation of the Shirley Jackson novel of the same name. It tells the story of the Crain children, who were raised in a strange and spooky home called Hill House. Now in adulthood, the siblings reunite in the face of an awful tragedy and reflect on their youth and the terrible things that they experienced. Notably, The Haunting of Hill House is the first horror TV show directed by Mike Flanagan, who has since become a rising star in the horror genre.
Mike Flanagan's The Haunting Of Hill House Is Still The Best Horror Show This Decade
What Makes The Haunting Of Hill House So Good
Despite Netflix's outstanding horror selection, The Haunting of Hill House remains the best horror show of the decade. First and foremost, the show has amazing critical reviews. With a 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, reviewers have lauded the show for its incredible tension and horrifying payoff. For the most part, though, The Haunting of Hill House stands out for its chilling visuals. Flanagan's portrayal of the Bent-Neck Lady and the Tall Man is truly terrifying, and these images are in league with some of the scariest visuals of the last ten years.
The Main Cast of The Haunting of Hill House |
The Character They Play |
|---|---|
Michiel Huisman |
Steven Crain |
Carla Gugino |
Olivia Crain |
Timothy Hutton |
Hugh Crain |
Elizabeth Reaser |
Shirley Crain Harris |
Oliver Jackson-Cohen |
Luke Crain |
Kate Siegel |
Theodora Crain |
Victoria Pedretti |
Nell Craine |
Another aspect of The Haunting of Hill House that is irable is its cast of characters. The Haunting of Hill House's cast is big, but strong. Each character has their own unique story to tell, and the actors who portray them are dedicated to making audiences care. It is easy to become invested in the Crain family and their messed-up history, both in the present day and in their pasts. This, along with Flanagan's consistently creepy atmosphere and violent scares, makes for an unforgettable horror show that could quite literally keep viewers up at night.
There Have Been Good Horror Shows, But None Have Lived Up To The Haunting Of Hill House
How Hill House Does Better Than Other Horror Shows
Though it may be a bold claim to label The Haunting of Hill House as the best horror show of the decade, it really does live up to its competition. In the 2010s, there have been notable horror releases such as Penny Dreadful, American Horror Story, and The Terror. The Haunting of Hill House is most definitely in line with these series, as it provides a strong story alongside truly horrifying scares. Like these shows, The Haunting of Hill House has a solid atmosphere and scary moments that will stick with audience long after they've finished watching.
Mike Flanagan's Unmade The Haunting Season 3 Story Explained: What Hell House Would Have Been About
Mike Flanagan confirmed that The Haunting season 3 would have adapted Hell House, making it hard not to wonder what the show's story would have been.
Arguably, The Haunting of Hill House outdoes other great horror shows as well. Penny Dreadful and The Terror are amazing shows, but may be difficult for audiences to get into due to their historical settings and potentially slow paces. Furthermore, shows like American Horror Story have outstanding early seasons, but have since dropped off in quality. This is a problem The Haunting of Hill House doesn't have. By remaining a miniseries, the show quickly and concisely told its story without running the risk of going on for too long and losing the original magic.
How Mike Flanagan's Other Netflix Shows Compare To The Haunting Of Hill House
The Haunting Of Hill House Is Flanagan's Best
The Haunting of Hill House also remains king over Mike Flanagan's other horror shows. Flanagan has been at the head of series like The Haunting of Bly Manor, Midnight Mass, and The Fall of the House of Usher. While these shows are also effective and scary, Hill House is the best of them. Where the other shows may get bogged down by slow pacing or a more campy tone, The Haunting of Hill House is engaging from the jump and never loses its sense of horror. It's no wonder it is Flanagan's highest-rated show on Rotten Tomatoes.
The Haunting of Hill House has set the standard for the rest of Flanagan's work.
The Haunting of Hill House has set the standard for the rest of Flanagan's work. Although his movies are going to be inherently different from The Haunting of Hill House, audiences are still going to expect the same disturbing visuals and airtight storytelling he introduced in that show. Thus, the stakes are much higher for his new projects, such as his adaptation of Stephen King's The Life of Chuck, and his The Exorcist movie. Yet, Flanagan will likely live up to these expectations. The Haunting of Hill House is proof that he is a trailblazer of the horror genre.
The Haunting of Hill House
- Release Date
- 2018 - 2018-00-00
- Showrunner
- Mike Flanagan
- Directors
- Mike Flanagan
Cast
Michiel Huisman
Carla Gugino
WHERE TO WATCH
Loosely based on Shirley Jackson's novel of the same name, The Haunting of Hill House follows the Crain family's experience in their beautiful - and deadly - home. With a story told using two timelines simultaneously, The Haunting of Hill House chronicles both the haunting itself, and the lasting effect it had on the Crain children as they struggle through adulthood decades later. Directed by Mike Flanagan as the first entry in his Haunting anthology, The Haunting of Hill House features a large ensemble cast including Michiel Huisman, Elizabeth Reaser, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Kate Siegel, Victoria Pedretti, Carla Gugino, and Henry Thomas.
- Writers
- Mike Flanagan
- Seasons
- 1
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