The Fall of the House of Usher Is Already Flanagan's Best Work, and Here Is Why
We can't wait to lose our minds like critics did.
The person behind hit horror series like The Haunting of Hill House and The Haunting of Bly Manor, Mike Flanagan, has earned a reputation as a master of horror and a talented storyteller, with his work for Netflix consistently garnering critical acclaim and a loyal fan base.
Now, with his latest creation, The Fall of the House of Usher, the director is once again the center of attention.
Taking the classic Edgar Allan Poe story and re-imagining it in a modern and thought-provoking way, The Fall of the House of Usher is a fresh and intriguing adaptation of the story about the world of the Ushers, a powerful and corrupt dynasty, led by siblings Roderick and Madelyn Usher.
In this modern miniseries, not only are the Ushers wealthy and influential, but they are also the owners of a pharmaceutical company that has left a trail of death and destruction in its wake. In a gripping and suspenseful narrative, the dark secrets of their empire begin to unravel as members of the family keep mysteriously dying.
With a current Rotten Tomatoes score of 94%, the critical acclaim for Netflix's The Fall of the House of Usher is undeniably impressive. This score positions the series as Mike Flanagan's highest-rated project to date, surpassing his previous well-reviewed works like Ouija: Origin of Evil with 83% and Hush and The Haunting of Hill House both with 93% on Rotten Tomatoes.
As evidenced by the reviews, Flanagan's latest genre series for Netflix has received critical acclaim for his exploration of the Ushers' family phenomenon and his attempt to explore who they might have been under different circumstances.
This adaptation has been widely praised for paying homage to the work of Edgar Allan Poe, as well as for its dark, intriguing, and erotic take on the source material, cementing its status as a supernatural gothic thriller.
The entire cast of The Fall of the House of Usher is flawless, with returning Flanagan regulars such as the director’s phenomenal wife Kate Siegel, Rahul Kohli, and Henry Thomas, and standout Carla Gugino among the talented new faces. Another delightful surprise is Mark Hamill 's involvement.
But what sets this adaptation apart and makes it Flanagan's best work to date is its modern twist, as the show draws inspiration from the real-life Sackler family, notorious for their involvement in the opioid crisis in the United States.
By weaving this contemporary social issue into the narrative, Flanagan adds a new layer of relevance and depth. This approach reflects the director's ability to infuse his horror stories with thought-provoking themes that resonate with today's audiences.
Mike Flanagan's decision to bring Edgar Allan Poe's The Fall of the House of Usher to Netflix is both well-timed and exciting. Set to be released on October 12, it arrives just in time to add a spine-chilling twist to the Halloween season, making it an eagerly anticipated addition to the horror gem box.