The Haunting of Hill House, a 10-episode Netflix miniseries loosely based on Shirley Jackson's 1959 novel, has been hailed by fans as 'absolutely terrifying' and the 'best original show' the streaming platform has ever produced. The supernatural horror drama, which holds a 93% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, has also earned praise from horror icon Stephen King and filmmaker Quentin Tarantino.
Plot and Cast
The series switches between two timelines and follows a fractured family confronting haunting memories of their old home and the terrifying events that drove them from it. It stars Michiel Huisman, Elizabeth Reaser, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Kate Siegel, Victoria Pedretti, Carla Gugino, Henry Thomas, and Timothy Hutton.
Created and directed by Mike Flanagan, known for horror hits such as Gerald's Game and Oculus, the miniseries blends jump scares with an emotionally grounded storyline. The Haunting of Hill House first arrived on Netflix on October 12, 2018, and is the first instalment in Netflix's The Haunting anthology series. A follow-up, The Haunting of Bly Manor, was launched on October 9, 2020.
Critical and Fan Acclaim
The series claimed the Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in a Screenplay. Stephen King tweeted: "I don't usually care for this kind of revisionism, but this is great. Close to a work of genius, really. I think Shirley Jackson would approve, but who knows for sure."
In January 2020, Quentin Tarantino said: "My favorite Netflix series, with no competition, is The Haunting of Hill House." Critics have described it as 'a cinematic masterpiece of the small screen' and 'possibly the scariest thing you will watch this year', with one reviewer noting it earns a spot alongside IT and HEREDITARY as horror stories that deserve the hype.
Audiences have echoed the praise, with one viewer writing: "Hate to say I thought something was perfect but here I am. I loved it the first watch and still love it 10 rewatches in." Another added: "Hands down my favorite horror mini series. So f– scary with the most beautiful ending. What a ride, man!"
The Haunting of Hill House is streaming now on Netflix.
