October 12 marked the seven-year anniversary of the premiere of The Haunting of Hill House on Netflix, and Mike Flanagan’s supernatural masterpiece is still essential viewing this spooky season, even for returning fans. Loosely based on the Shirley Jackson novel, Flanagan brought his own style to Hill House to create something that was uniquely his, which helped him earn the moniker of the modern master of horror.
Called the “best Netflix original series of all time” by Entertainment Weekly earlier this year, we can find little fault with that statement. The Haunting of Hill House is a superb ghost story that’s packed with themes of guilt, trauma, and regret which all work together to deliver a chilling series that also happens to feature one of the best jump scares ever. The argument in the car, anyone? That one gets us every single time.
Not only is The Haunting of Hill House one of the best modern ghost tales you’ll ever see, but it’s also an effective family drama. Who can’t relate to arguing with their siblings, or wanting to please their parents? Those are universal themes that emotionally resonate with viewers around the globe. Flanagan used that to create compelling and complex characters that we could easily identify with, making The Haunting of Hill House an excellent exploration of the human condition wrapped in a beautiful supernatural tale. Check out the official synopsis below:
“This modern reimagining of the Shirley Jackson novel follows siblings who, as children, grew up in what would go on to become the most famous haunted house in the country. Now adults, they are forced back together in the face of tragedy and must finally confront the ghosts of their past. Some of those ghosts still lurk in their minds, while others may actually be stalking the shadows of Hill House.”
‘The Haunting of Hill House’ Stands the Test of Time
Unlike some movies and TV shows that fall out of favor with audiences over time, The Haunting of Hill House is one of those that is still just as effective today. Recent Letterboxd reviews have proclaimed it to be a series that some will “never emotionally recover from,” to “one of the best” that people have ever seen. It’s also one of those with high replay value, meaning you can watch it again and again and still find something to enjoy. As one user put it:
“Binged this for like the 5th time instead of studying for exams earlier this year. Absolutely no regrets.”
Featuring an ensemble cast that includes the likes of Henry Thomas, Carla Gugino, Kate Siegel, Timothy Hutton, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, and Victoria Pedretti, The Haunting of Hill House deserves every bit of praise it’s received over the years. Though it could be debated whether it’s the best Netflix original series ever made, it’s certainly in the Top 5, which only speaks to the show’s longevity. There have been a lot of great Netflix originals, but for one almost a decade old to be held in such high regard? That says something about the phenomenal masterpiece that Flanagan created.
- Release Date
-
2018 – 2018
- Network
-
Netflix
- Writers
-
Rebecca Klingel
-
Michiel Huisman
Steven Crain
-
-
Kate Siegel
Theodora Crain
-
Oliver Jackson-Cohen
Luke Crain
