Scots looking for something spooky to watch this October should consider this 'masterpiece' horror mini series which has been dubbed the 'best Netflix show ever'. Produced and directed by US filmmaker Mike Flanagan, The Haunting of Hill House is loosely based on Shirley Jackson's 1959 gothic novel of the same name.
Story and cast
The 10-episode mini series was first released on Netflix in 2018 and follows the story of the five traumatised Crain siblings who grew up in America's most haunted house with their parents. The story flashes between two timelines, showing them as present day adults mixed with flashbacks to them as children during the summer of 1992 when they moved into Hill House.
The show sees the adult siblings forced back together in the face of tragedy as they must finally confront the ghosts of their pasts. Some of those ghouls still live in their minds while others are still stalking the corridors in Hill House. However, rather than purely focusing on horror, the show explores themes of unresolved grief, trauma, shame, and guilt, which creates its spine-chilling atmosphere.
Fan reactions
Scoring 93 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes, The Haunting of Hill House features an incredible cast including Spy Kids actress Carla Gugino, World War Z actor Michiel Huisman and You star Victoria Pedretti.
Fans of the show gathered on a Reddit thread to discuss the terrifying series and if it's worth watching. One wrote: "One of my favorite pieces of modern horror television." A second praised: "It's one of the very best depictions of trauma and grief in any genre."
A third chimed in: "It’s a masterpiece! As a horror ‘connoisseur’ this show had moments that gave me goosebumps! There was a scene there that still haunts me, as I experienced something hauntingly similar as a child! The characters gel so well together. The flow of the story is good. Please watch."
Why viewers recommend it
Another gushed: "It's one of the best if not the best Netflix show. It definitely is the best horror show ever made in my book." Someone else simply commented: "Do yourself a favour and watch it!" Another echoed: "An absolute favorite of mine. A must watch in my opinion!"
Viewers also insist that those who are not into jump scare horrors should also give it a try as it's more 'emotional' than scary. One wrote: "I watched it and I hate jump scares but there was only one mild one mid way through. It's a great series with great acting and direction."
Another agreed: "There are a few jump scares, but they aren't cheap and overused. They're actually quite meaningful if you think about it. You'll understand if you watch. Which you should." The Haunting of Hill House is available to stream on Netflix.
