Written by Mike Flanagan And Liz Phang And Scott Kosar And Meredith Averill And Jeff Howard And Charise Castro Smith And Rebecca Klingel
Directed by Mike Flanagan
Hugh (to Steven): "Your mother. She was not crazy. Neither was your sister, neither is your brother and neither are you. It's that house."
For the last few days I've been quietly watching this miniseries from 2018. Yes, it took me six years to see what the fuss was about and I truly get it. This miniseries was extraordinary. Maybe one of the best things that Netflix have ever made.
Alternating between two different timelines, you've got the Crain family renovating the Hill House that they've also chosen to stay in before they flip the property. Unfortunately for them it's a cursed house with far too many spooky goings on and when the matriarch, Olivia (Carla Gugino) died in the house, it was something that continued to impact everyone involved.
For her husband, Hugh (Timothy Dutton/Henry Thomas), it irreparably damaged his relationship with his children right into their adulthood. He essentially checked out as a father with their aunt Janet (Elizabeth Becka) having raised them. Throughout the miniseries he attempted to reconnect with them and by the finale, he made a sacrifice in order to save the remainder of his family.
As for the children, let's break it down by order. The oldest one, Steven (Michiel Huisman/Paxton Singleton) tried to get over the trauma by writing a book (much to his siblings chagrin) and avoiding having children with his wife, Leigh (Samantha Sloyan). That didn't necessary work in his favour but as the show progressed, he faced the things he tried to ignore about himself and the house.
Second child Shirley (Elizabeth Reaser/Lulu Wilson) struggled with keeping control, her marriage to Kevin (Anthony Rivuver) and running a funeral home. There was also residual family resentment and a secret fling with Ryan (James Lafferty), all of which blew up as the series progressed.
Middle child Theodora (Kate Siegel/Mckenna Grace) had a gift of feeling that often sent her into distress but out of the siblings, I think she was my favourite. Her relationship with Trish (Levy Tran) was nicely developed over the series and like her siblings, she does have a very strong arc.
Then there's the twins - Luke (Oliver Jackson-Cohen/Julian Hillard) and Nell (Victoria Pedretti/Violet McGraw). Their stories were definitely laced with more tragedy than their older siblings. Both haunted by different things (Bent Neck Lady, Bowler Hat Man, etc) and both seemed to stuggle the most. Even Nell having some happiness with Arthur (Jordane Christie) was short-lived.
As for Luke's story, he struggled with addiction, hit rock bottom multiple times, came close to death quite frequently but unlike his twin, whose death happened early in the show, he managed to just about come out the other side. There's a trauma conga line this guy goes through with his mother, Olivia going through an even worse one throughout the season.
Last but not least, there were the Dudleys - Clara (Annabeth Gish) and Horace (Robert Longstreet), caretakers of the house. Mostly they provided exposition when telling each Crain family a bit about Hill House's awful history but they're also a tragic couple, dealing with loss, including their children and there's something cathartic about their ending too.
- Episode titles are Steven Sees A Ghost, Open Casket, Touch, The Twin Thing, The Bent-Neck Lady, Two Storms, Eulogy, Witness Marks, Screaming Meemies and Silence Lay Steadily.
- The Red Room served as many different rooms to every family member without them realising it until the finale explained it.
- The show is based on Shirley Jackson's novel of the same name but it's a very loose adaptation of the source material.
- The show had a follow up of sorts with The Haunting Of Bly Manor, which I plan to watch next.
- Standout music: From the soundtrack by The Newton Brothers, I'd say Main Titles, Hill House, The Red Room, Haunted Past and Beginning Of The End Movement IV.
- Chronology: Alternating between 1992 and 2018 in California throughout the series.
I genuinely loved The Haunting Of Hill House. Yes, it took me way too long to watch it but I'm glad I finally did. Utterly brilliant from start to finish, stellar performances from all of the main cast and the perfect blend of family drama, chills and horror.
Rating: 9 out of 10
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