The Haunting of Hill House is one of those hidden gems that you might not have paid attention to if you’re not a fan of the genre.
Honestly, I was pleasantly surprised at how well the entire series was put together. Not only was the pacing of the story excellent, they have adopted a very layered approach to story-telling that would slowly reveal itself towards the end of the show. It’s like peeling an onion and catching whiffs of terror and dread with every layer, yet you keep coming back for seconds.
The cast were brilliantly selected. Especially how their adult versions really do behave and feel like their young counterparts; complete with all the emotional burdens of their traumatic childhood. Even minor characters ended up playing huge roles towards the end of the narrative. i.e. One of them stunned me with a monologue performance that would put many A-Listers to shame.
Production quality was also top notch. Lighting and blocking was impeccable in setting the mood, even with less than spectacular CGI. I particularly loved the numerous long takes throughout the show, frequently with frights and awe around every corner.
In essence, this is a slow-burn that does not actually require much of your patience before rewarding you with a juicy narrative fruit to bite into. You’ll come to care for every character because they mistakes and flaws will feel very familiar. They ARE familiar. Their values and motivations completely relate-able. The humanity of it all is what earns The Haunting of Hill House such a special place in my heart.
