Series Review: The Haunting of Hill House. Creator: Mike Flanagan.
The witty Oscar Wilde said, “some people spread
happiness wherever they go, others whenever they go”. A person who can give one
sublime felicity can also be a source of extreme vexation to the other. Are the
ones we love truly joyful or did we just love them because that is all we could
do?
This is the one question around which the life of the
Crains revolves. The Crain family comprises of Hugh and Olivia Crain and their
five wonderful children who love and enjoy each other’s company because that is
what families do. They love. But they also hurt.
One night, after Olivia’s death, Hugh takes all his
children away and chooses to bury the cause of Olivia’s death under the rose,
thereby distorting his family and ruining the once wonderful relationships.
However, on the occurrence of a certain event, the presence of all the Crains
under a single roof is necessitated, and the only place all of them can be
present in is their childhood home at Hill house.
‘The Haunting of Hill House’, streaming on ‘Netflix’
is based on the legendary writer Shirley Jackson’s book of the same name. While
the genre of the series is suggestive from its namesake, the series gives the
viewers a plethora of experiences, the horror and scare being an infinitesimal
part of it.
While watching the series, the viewers will keep
asking themselves a lot of deep questions along with sympathizing and
empathizing with the characters as their side of the story is gradually played
out. The viewers not only enjoy watching the series, but also relate it with
their personal experiences and reminisce the sweet memories of cherubin
innocence.
The series is a must watch for horror aficionados. Unlike
any other horror series, ‘THOHH’ goes beyond the surface and its depiction of a
haunted house and troubled characters, is artistic, relatable (because even
madness seems sane sometimes) and emphatic in its limnal.
The background music of the series as well as the
spooky, yet mysterious title track of the series is subtle and likeable. The
beauty spots of the series are in the relatable and mellifluous
characterizations of childhood, sibling relationships and a powerful script.
The direction of the series is edgy, cool and the type
that all kinds of viewers would admire. Mike Flangan’s success in incorporating
a whole book into just ten episodes is commendable. Barring a few adult scenes
not suitable for a family audience, the series is based on a family and makes
for a decent family watch and a wonderful individual experience.
Special mention needs to be made of Victoria Pedretti,
who played the youngest member of the Crain family, Eleanor Crain and Carla
Gugino who dazzled the show as the wonderful Olivia Crain for her small, yet
effective role and powerful presence.
Overall, ‘THOHH’ is wonderful and should not be missed
out on. It is a dose of all kinds of emotions prescribed in ten episodes.
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Radhika, you put down a really balanced review, makes one eager to watch but no spoilers, loved it!!
ReplyDeleteWell written review. I guess, we should have it as " the next " in our series to watch at home although it would be second run for you. The plot seems interesting. As someone has already said, you have avoided any spoilers and still you could make us feel so. Keep it up!!!
ReplyDeleteWow....this is so elegant and thrilling!!!
ReplyDelete