“There’s no place like home”, is a phrase most often
spoken with warmth and nostalgia. For the residents of Hill House, where all
who walk there walk alone, however, this nostalgic adage takes on a chilling
meaning. In 2018’s hit horror series The Haunting
of Hill House an unsuspecting family learns just how unlike any other place
their new home is as they are confronted with terrors that will haunt them for
years to come. At once an innovative, modern, take on the classic haunted house
story and a raw exploration of the inner demons that haunt us all The Haunting of Hill House makes for a
viewing experience that is simply to die for.
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| The modern dream home |
The story cleverly plays with the concepts of time and
memory as it shifts between the summer of 1992 and the present day. The flashbacks
chronicle the sinister events of the fateful summer that the Crain family spent
at the mysterious Hill House while the present day scenes relate the ways in
which those events continue to impact the family years later. The family, made
up of handyman Hugh (Henry Thomas and Timothy Hutton), his architect wife,
Olivia (Carla Gugino), and their five children first arrive at the house with
the intention of ‘flipping’ the gilded-age manor and then selling it for a
profit. What the family did not plan on, however, was that their new home would
have plans of its own. As the series progresses, the family are confronted with
ghosts of both the supernatural and metaphorical variety as they struggle to
escape the ‘not sane’ Hill House with their sanity and lives intact.
Although haunted house stories seem to invade our
televisions each Halloween The Haunting
of Hill House earned its status as an instant horror classic by telling a
story in which its characters are even more haunted than the titular house. Rather
than focusing upon the expected array of scares, the series maintains a tight
focus upon the Crain family as it explores the fascinating question of what
exactly happens after a horror movie ends and the survivors finally leave a haunted
house. As the series progresses, and viewers witness the ways in which the
Crains struggle to rebuild their shattered lives, the story evolves into a
meditation on trauma. The script’s focus upon family provides additional
emotional resonance as the characters reveal the ways in which family can be
both our salvation and our own personal curse. Through its focus upon such
familiar themes as family and trauma the series transcends the limits of the
horror genre and becomes a universal tale of the places, people, and experiences
that haunt us and the need to exorcize our own demons. Even as it explores the
darkest corners of the human psyche, the series offers plenty of traditional
scares including decaying former residents, soul-switching possession, and a
certain bent-necked lady that are guaranteed to leave you
sleeping with the lights on. For a frighteningly good viewing experience that will
have your pulse and mind racing join the Crain family as they experience The Haunting of Hill House.
| Wakey Wakey... |
The ominous halls of Hill House come to eerie life
thanks to the excellent work of the cast. Henry Thomas and Timothy Hutton aptly
portray how the traumatic events at Hill House transformed Hugh from a cheery
and ambitious family man to the tormented shadow of himself that he has been
reduced to in the present. Carla Gugino skillfully conveys the dual nature of
Oliva’s personality as she portrays Olivia’s warm and vivacious persona, while
still ensuring that she remains an ethereal enigma to viewers. Paxton Singleton
and Michiel Huisman create a fascinating contrast in their dual roles as the
carefree and fun-loving pre-haunting Steve and the isolated, materialistic, man
he has become. Lulu Wilson and Elizabeth Reaser are well cast as responsible
older sister Shirley in seamless performances that perfectly complement each
other. McKenna Grace and Kate Siegel nearly steal each scene that they appear
in as caustic clairvoyant Theodora. Julian Hilliard and Oliver Jackson-Cohen
are endlessly endearing as well-meaning but misunderstood Luke. Violet McGraw
and Victoria Pedretti are heartbreaking in their portrayals of sensitive Nell,
who always seems to be lost amidst her preoccupied family.
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| We are family, get up everybody and scream! |
Through its careful balance between supernatural and
real-life horrors The Haunting of Hill
House breathes fresh life into the horror genre. The twisting narrative and
multi-faceted characters ensure that viewers will remain on the edge of their
seats even when there isn’t a jump scare prompting them to leap off. The
excellent performances, engrossing cinematography, and stunning visuals ensure that the ten-hour series is a non-stop thrill ride. Part modern family drama
and part old-fashioned horror story, The
Haunting of Hill House is a wholly original viewing experience and a
must-see for horror fans. For a series that is certain to leave you paralyzed
with fear pay a visit to Hill House.
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