The Haunting

I consider the horror genre to be one of the most challenging to perfect. Balancing a well-constructed story with a heavy horror atmosphere spiced with scares that don’t come off as cheap or obvious is nearly an unrealistic task for most horror creators. But director Flanagan succeeded brilliantly. In fact, I haven’t seen a better horror drama yet (and that includes feature films). The Haunting of Hill House shone in every aspect; I honestly couldn’t find a single flaw to critique, which I find astonishing. The narrative, set in the present with flashbacks to 26 years ago, initially seemed quite chaotic, but as the series progressed toward its finale, all the raised questions were answered in a way that must have satisfied every viewer. I haven’t seen such a powerful family story on screen before. Many actors have gained incredible visibility from this project, and I believe it will boost their careers, and we’ll see them in many more projects. The child actors were astounding, shedding any fears of public acting and delivering performances that left me in awe. Everything is complemented by incredibly stylish music, captivating and high-quality visuals, excellent cinematography that keeps the viewer engaged, and a chilling atmosphere that burrows deep into your bones (a few scenes almost gave me a heart attack). Besides episodes five and six, which are rightly praised to the skies, the final two episodes blew me away. Whether through the precise conclusion of this gripping story, outstanding dialogues that will resonate with you for a long time, or the emotionally intense moments that will have you reaching for tissues, this series left a deep impression. Mike Flanagan is a name that has etched itself in my memory under the heading PERFECTIONISM IN EVERY ASPECT. And that’s not going to change. For me, it's 100%. (10/26/2020)

I consider the horror genre to be one of the most challenging to perfect. Balancing a well-constructed story with a heavy horror atmosphere spiced with scares that don’t come off as cheap or obvious is nearly an unrealistic task for most horror creators. But director Flanagan succeeded brilliantly. In fact, I haven’t seen a better horror drama yet (and that includes feature films). The Haunting of Hill House shone in every aspect; I honestly couldn’t find a single flaw to critique, which I find astonishing. The narrative, set in the present with flashbacks to 26 years ago, initially seemed quite chaotic, but as the series progressed toward its finale, all the raised questions were answered in a way that must have satisfied every viewer. I haven’t seen such a powerful family story on screen before. Many actors have gained incredible visibility from this project, and I believe it will boost their careers, and we’ll see them in many more projects. The child actors were astounding, shedding any fears of public acting and delivering performances that left me in awe. Everything is complemented by incredibly stylish music, captivating and high-quality visuals, excellent cinematography that keeps the viewer engaged, and a chilling atmosphere that burrows deep into your bones (a few scenes almost gave me a heart attack). Besides episodes five and six, which are rightly praised to the skies, the final two episodes blew me away. Whether through the precise conclusion of this gripping story, outstanding dialogues that will resonate with you for a long time, or the emotionally intense moments that will have you reaching for tissues, this series left a deep impression. Mike Flanagan is a name that has etched itself in my memory under the heading PERFECTIONISM IN EVERY ASPECT. And that’s not going to change. For me, it's 100%. (10/26/2020)

After a flawless first season that completely blew me away in every aspect, I’d be somewhat naive to expect the same scenario to repeat. This time, Mike Flanagan took on a project where horror isn’t the primary genre. Don’t get me wrong, the remote mansion with the two children creates a chilling atmosphere at a high level, but the series is no longer primarily about scares; it’s more of a drama. The return of a few familiar faces was a pleasure, especially the young Victoria Pedretti, who delivered another exceptional performance; I predict a bright future for her in Hollywood. Otherwise, some episodes were indeed weaker, I won’t deny that, but a few episodes also truly elevated the series, such as the fifth episode and the final two. Personally, I found the fifth episode to be a real treat. Flanagan’s knack for dialogue was again evident; you really get immersed in the conversations. The cinematography was top-notch once more. And the ending was satisfying; I didn’t expect such a nicely wrapped-up romantic story, and all my questions were answered. In summary, the first season was perfect, but the second also has a lot to offer and usually outshines the competition. For me, it’s 8/10. (12/10/2020)