Spooky Special - The Haunting of Hill House (2018)

 

Streaming of Netflix. 

    In 1959, renowned author Shirly Jackson published a book titled The Haunting of Hill House, the story of a group of strangers staying in a supposedly haunted mansion to study claims of the paranormal (specifically, ghosts). Four years later, renowned director Robert Wise, known for West Side Story, The Andromeda Strain, and Star Trek: The Motion Picture, adapted the book into a feature film starring Julie Harris and Claire Bloom. It was nominated for a Golden Globe for best director and has become one of the best examples of cinematic gothic horror with well-developed characters and stunning visuals. Then, in 1999, it was remade by director Jan de Bont (late of Twister and both Speed movies), starring Catherine Zeta-Jones and Lili Taylor. To make a long story short, the remake was so horrendously terrible and horribly executed that it felt less like an adaptation of a ghost story and more like a PG-13 rated parody of a bad Disney Channel movie. Complete with terrible special effects, lazy writing, and miscast talent. 

    The beloved and classic Shirly Jackson story seemed destined to never see the light of day on the screen ever again. That is, until one fateful day when a talented and determined filmmaker named Mike Flanagan got the opportunity to create a brand new adaptation of the haunted tale. The results: a fantastic ten-episode series on Netflix that not only succeeds in capturing the spirit of the original story while doing its own thing but also reminds audiences how genuine horror cinema looks and feels. It is an excellent choice for those most attracted to the haunted house genre.

    Some of you may have turned away at the mere mention of an adaptation of Shirly Jackson's story receiving a "loose" adaptation. To those fans out there, I say, please hear me out. I promise you, it's much better than you think. 

    While the original story followed a group of strangers investigating ghostly activity, the Netflix series chronicles the lives of five siblings and their shared events as victims to the hauntings in their own unique ways. The show switches between two times: the siblings as children living in the haunted house and the siblings as adults dealing with their own issues. 

    The editing must be one aspect of the show that can be praised the most (amidst the clever writing and stellar performances). Not only does it flow beautifully with perfect pacing, but it also successfully transitions between the two different times without ever feeling confusing or random. Students at film school must watch this series as a textbook example of properly editing any given sequence. 

    What makes the series particularly worthy of Halloween viewing (along with general viewing) is the perfect balance of story, scares, and suspense. This is a series that puts you on the edge of your couch throughout every second. Even when you feel a scare coming up, you'll brace yourself for it because you are that engrossed in the characters' plight. 

    Another element of the show that makes it especially fun for Halloween (as I alluded to in my previous Spooky Special) is spotting all of the hidden ghosts in the house. Every scene inside the haunted mansion, somewhere in the background or foreground (or even both), features a cleverly hidden humanoid ghost watching the events unfold. Sometimes it's relatively apparent; other times, you have to look closely. See if you can spot the ghosts for yourself. Without spoiling exactly where they are, here are a few examples. 

    Amidst all of the chilling atmosphere, gut-wrenching tension, and mastermind-level mystery, Netflix's The Haunting of Hill House is ultimately a story about family, overcoming trauma, and the power of love (but not in a cheesy Hallmark kind of way). While playing spooky "Where's Waldo" is a fun and fascinating aspect of the series, the sympathetic characters and the heartfelt story makes it truly worthy of your time. It's the perfect companion for any Halloween event as it simultaneously frightens you at the right moments while making you feel good about life and all of its delightful mysteries. It's the kind of show that brilliantly balances that delicate line between dark and light, something we so desperately need more of in these troubling times. 

    I cannot recommend enough that you give this series a chance. Even if you're not into ghost stories, you will find something here that speaks to you in some way. 

    Also, if you happen to be a big fan of Mike Flanigan, be sure to check out his latest Netflix show, Midnight Mass. I know I will. 

Ladies & gentlemen, I am TheNorm; thank you all for reading.