Well, would you look at that? It's been three weeks since I've posted a review about anything, and when I do, it's about a Netflix series. How expectation-subverting of me. Now, the reasoning behind this choice is twofold. 1) My schedule has been insane. Nuts! Bonkers! Ludicrous! (And....other...adjectives.) And 2) It doesn't help that the theaters are featuring schtick at is average at best and painful at worst. Not that it matters--I wouldn't have been able to make it even if I tried. That said, don't fear, because I'll more than avenge my slump during Christmas Break.
Besides, The Haunting of Hill House has created quite the stir; a stir of which is completely justified. If you ask any novelist--particularly horror writers--they'll assuredly tell you that Shirley Jackson's horror novel by the same name is undoubtedly one of the (if not the) scariest books they've ever read. And for those of you who didn't know Netflix based the show off the book; well, congratulations! You learned something today.
The thing about Netflix's original movies is that they are typically just...the worst. I mean, have you SEEN Bright or The Cloverfield Paradox? God Almighty. Thankfully, however, what Netflix lacks in moviemaking they more than make-up for with their TV shows. I mean, there's a reason Network TV has become a laughing stock. I still think Stranger Things is overrated, but The Haunting of Hill House is worthy of its praise. Although, if you're one of the few who haven't seen it, I can assure you that it won't be what you're expecting. Indeed, the word Haunting proves to mislead audiences regarding its thesis and the importance of its narrative. However, the misleading title and genre do not take away from its brilliance.
As the name suggests, The Haunting of Hill House, on its surface, is a typical haunted house story. However, it is classified under 'horror,' which isn't untrue so much as it is half-true. The introductory scenes have moderately disturbing content to set the stage and tone for what is, frankly, a terrific opening sequence. Additionally, plenty of scenes are similar, but they're not a majority. Because of this, the few criticisms of the show I've heard have sounded like, "It's not scary; it's just people talking!" Or, "...But nothing happens!" Again--this is neither a truth nor a lie, per se.
Take it from a horror buff: The Haunting of Hill House certainly isn't driven by horror. Throughout the 10 episodes, there is an average of roughly two or maybe three instances meant to invoke fear. I do understand that an hour-long episode can't be scary throughout its entirety, but an average of fewer than five minutes per hour is hardly densely horrific. Furthermore, the instances which are meant to be scary are rarely so.
Don't be mislead--there are three or four scenes throughout the 10 episodes which I remember to be truly frightening. Despite those, however, the other "scary" scenes--while interesting and well-done, mind you--were not so. I mean, I suppose those of you who are abnormally fragile in such areas would disagree, but we don't form rules from exceptions here at Theater Worthy Pics. My point is that for those who have heard it's tremendously scary or a strictly horror-based show, I say you have been misled. I know this because it was clearly not meant to be so, nor should it have been. For if it had been, its brilliance would have been horribly undermined (pun intended).
The Haunting of Hill House is a drama first and a horror second. More specifically, it's a psychologically driven family drama with several heavy themes. Throughout the 10 episodes, a very similar timeline is seen through the eyes of seven characters. Throughout the series, many pieces of the puzzle begin to fit together. Whether these pieces are characters, events, or even objects, the entire picture isn't painted until the last episode. Not only is this an intricate and cyclical narrative structure, but it demonstrates some of the most brilliant character developments TV has to offer. The show itself is intensely driven by dialogue; a dialogue of which is deep, emotional, and intensely impactful. This is why the, "It's just people talking!" criticism is so shallow.
Dialogue, however, only takes a show so far. It's extraordinarily important, but even the best dialogue can be undermined by abysmal acting. Thankfully, though, The Haunting of Hill House has wonderful and dynamic acting on multiple levels. The men are terrific, and the women and children are simply fantastic. I'm generally very skeptical about child-actors, but these kids are something special. The family sees the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, yet not a step is lost during any emotion. What's more amazing is that I didn't recognize anyone. Not a single actor nor actress showed up where I said, "Oh--[this person] is in this!" Kudos to these actors and those who cast them.
This is something that (usually) only film nerds like me would notice, but the camerawork, directing, and editing was unbelievable. Horror scenes feature lousy directing and even worse editing all-too-often. The Haunting of Hill House, however, is a wonderful exception. The use of focus, lighting, and cinematography was so impressive; particularly during episode six, which is dang near a single take. It was actually the stir surrounding this episode which sparked my desire to watch the series in the first place. It may be a common praise, but I am a sucker for a good long-take.
How The Haunting of Hill House truly accomplishes to set itself apart, however, is how well it tackles heavy themes via unique means. You see, the "haunting" experienced by the characters is not so much literal (though that does occur) as it is metaphorical. What's brilliant about the literal demons is the complex way they illustrate real-life tragedy.
The lifelong impact the metaphorical haunting which the house invokes on the Crane family is by no means fictional. We see characters plagued by drug abuse, fears of abandonment, and life-altering questions of the soul. Instead of fixating on the scare-level of beasts or murderers, Hill House's demons come in the form of addiction, emotional abuse, recklessness, and outrage in the face of tragedy. Indeed, it might even be the most relatable and impactful horror piece in decades.
So, you see, the brilliance of The Haunting of Hill House comes not from its on-the-nose personification of irrational fears (a-la IT), though I am not claiming that is nonexistent. But, no, the intelligent "horror" stems from its exploration and demonstration of how tragedy can collapse even the healthiest of families. And that, my friends, is something of which anyone can be terrified.
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