THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER (2023) Netflix Series Honest Review
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- čas přidán 13. 10. 2023
- / @thehorrorexchange
🍿 THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER (2023)
🎬 In Mike Flanagan's much-anticipated Edgar Allan Poe adaptation, Netflix is hit with Gothic delights and a modern twist! Connor checks out this miniseries starring Bruce Greenwood, Kate Siegel, Carla Gugino, Mark Hamill and more, offering his thoughts and feelings!
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#TheFallOfTheHouseOfUsher #NetflixReview #HonestReview - Krátké a kreslené filmy
How do you rate THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER? A waste of time? Mike Flanagan's best? A fitting modern Poe? Let us know! - Connor
Haven’t watched it but it looks interesting
2nd best... Hill House , Usher, Bly Manor (i know hot take), Midnight Mass, Midnight club...
Excellent!!
Carla’s cool, but I really like Bruce Greenwood confessing everything to Carl Lumbly. Close your eyes and it’s Batman telling Martian Manhunter a ghost story 😉
7.5 out of 10. Hill house obviously being number 1 forever.
My favorite running joke was about Juno being in the will. Her ultimately inheriting everything was just icing on the cake
I liked the fact she used it to try and right the wrongs that the company made by opening addiction clinics and research facilities that would have made him turn in his grave.
Can we talk about how amazing Carla Gugino was in this
Yes! Really enjoyed her in this.
She always delivers 👏 great actor
@@raquelcohen1989 Amazing actress
Damn right we can! Clearly had a lot of fun in the Verna role. Powerful, manipulative, seductive. Great performance for the character!
A QUEEN
Fredrick’s true nature being revealed when he was the last one is so disturbing. The coke wasn’t helping but torturing his wife when she was tempted but didn’t do anything sealed his fate
Such a brilliant revelation
Do you think she would have ended up cheating if the acid incident hadn’t occurred? I didn’t think the show made it clear.
@@raquelcohen1989 I think she was tempted but then it became too excessive and probably overwhelming
He didn't know she didn't do anything. Some of his dialogue implies he thinks it wasn't her first time and that she'd probably been with Prospero before that night. I think he drove himself crazy coming up with scenarios in his head.
Rite smh !!!
I kinda loved older Madeleine. In the story, she is written almost like a ghost, someone so controlled and subdued that almost isn't there, but still very poised and ellegant. Everything in the character made sense: tonal voice, few expressions, egoistic behavior, the fact that she didn't have children. Also, the hair was fabulous. I loved seeing that character, even if the acting wasn't so out there.
I'm delighted that you loved her Pedro! And you've made some excellent points for her strengths! Made me consider her in a different light!
I thought she was good-but what felt a little off as described in the video may be the excessive filler and Botox, to me. It restricted the amount of feeling from her I think.
Perfect casting, honestly!!!
Imo I think she was supposed to show what the lifestyle they'd be leading had turned her into that. Cold blooded
Her "speech" shortly before she was killed was brilliant. It highlighted a perspective that many have, especially considering that Perdue actively campaigned to blame the opioid crisis it created on those it profited it off of addicting (by lying that it wasn't addictive)
Cinematography was a BIIIG hit. Tamerlaine's death was sooo gorgeous, wirh nice ideas, beautiful colours and great execution. I kept thinking how the fuck did they filmed that.
It was excellent imo. Out of all Flanagan series I still like Midnight Mass and The Haunting of Hill House better, but nevertheless it was one of the best things Netflix produced this year. I'm a massive Poe fan and really felt his spirit in this adaptation.
Can definitely feel the respect for handling Poe's works
Midnight mass was the best ever from the haunting series ! Facts
Have to disagree on older Madeline! Of course her younger version is restless, relentless and ostentatiously brutal, but older Madeline is set up by now. She achieved many of goals and doesn't see being brutal as necessary anymore, yet you can see violence more and more from her when she's starting to lose control.
Otherwise I agree with everything else!
My thoughts, exactly. She's shown brutality when cornered. Love the older Madeline portrayal but the younger one is just a gift thay keeps on giving
The thing I hate the most about most horror movies are the cheap scares and jumps but Mike Flagan is such a fucking genius at knowing when to use it and it gets you every time. It doesnt happen often, but a few in the series and its perfect. My number 1 is still Hill House but this is now the close 2nd.
The jump scare with the glass exploading behind Roderick on "Goldbug" completely got me XD - I was expecting something (Cause every episode has one ghost) but because I wore headphones it made it worse for me!!
It got me too lol especially since I was expecting a little build up like when Perry was slowing creeping his way behind the lawyer. That glass shattering came out of nowhere@@xpezxxstreamx
And he incorporates disturbing moments too, like the squishy sounds during the acid sprinklers scene, the constant sound from the heart pumping device, the chimps going crazy, Dr.ruizs' aneurysm scene etc.
I really liked it, esp the writing. So many amazing monologues and yes the insults were The Thick of It jaw-dropping. I like the comedy and overall broad-ness of the characters, I feel combined w the horror elements this is a perfect blend of modern prestige-format tv and HBO’s Tales From the Crypt (which I loved growing up). Masque of the Red Dearh really surprised me in its brutality, and I liked that the fallout from that episode ran throughout the miniseries.
Great comment! Thank you for sharing Robert!
Mike Flanagan is amazing at taking what is basically a drama and turning it into horror.
I don’t think I’ve seen anything of his that I haven’t throughly enjoyed (in full honesty I haven’t seen Dr Sleep).
Another great break down guys. Keep them coming.
Doctor Sleep is a very solid continuation to The Shining, and it feels VERY Flanagan. Thank you Jaq!
Doctor Sleep is excellent. Although fans of The Shining criticize it for not being another Shining. Instead, it goes its own way in a different direction as opposed to just repeating the original.
He did an amazing job with Doctor Sleep. The original Shining movie strayed from the books a lot, but he somehow managed to weave the world of the movie and the novels together in a pretty seamless way IMO. I love everything he does
You gotta watch Doctor Sleep. Everyone brings it in that.
Madeline was an absolute psychopath but sadly at the end she was right. The story hit home for me because I’m a former chronic pain Patient and I just had a hip replacement and I’ve been fighting with the drug companies for years. I knew from watching my patients friends Favorite musicians and family members deal with prescription drug addiction to never to go too far. The new pushers are not the guy on the corner or in the trap house but the doctors, the pharmacies and corporate.
It's a bit of a mixed truth as so many things are.
The part with the "Sprinklers" in episode 2 had me feeling like Rick from the Episode "look who's purging now" I was like "OOH I think my eyes were bigger than my stomach morty" 😂
😂😂😂
For me it was the monkeys
I know you don’t see anything, but i have a very rational fear of chimpanses, and the moment she injected that little fucker with adrenaline i damn near hurled😂
LOVED it, for me the best Flanagan's show since Hill House.
Gugino and specially Greenwood are amazing, I hope they both get nominated.
Edgar Allen Poe is a wonderful writer. The Tell-Tale Heart is my personal favorite. Also, The Raven is a classic and his masterpiece
I wish he knew how much he is appreciated.
@@Mumscup He’s a legend. RIP to him.
@@Mumscup If he was alive, people would be flocking for interviews and autographs.
Shame this is nothing like his short story. And while The Raven is good as far as his poetry goes, his short stories are far superior. Shame no one has the courage to adapt any of them into film and stay true to the actual source material. This is on the same level as the Vincent Price film, The Pit & the Pendulum: only the title, with this adding the names of two of the three characters. But where’s Poe’s story?
Out of all his work with Netflix this my second favorite series
I loved Hill House so very much, but Midnight mass stands above the rest for me. Hands down.
Same
Flanagan is the only director that I've seen everything he's done (and I've enjoyed them all).
I agree about "Midnight Club" being the weakest of the series, but I still personally really loved it and wish it would have gotten a second season as planned.
"Usher" isn't my favourite - that's still "Hill House" - but it might be rivalling "Midnight Mass" for my second favourite. I think I'll have to watch it again before making that call.
I HATED every single one of these Ushers and yet I also somehow LOVED them as well. Save Lenore, who I only loved, and without spoilers, that reveal in the last episode really got me.
Totally agree about "Tell-Tale Heart". That one really, really disturbed me at the end. I had to take a breather afterwards.
It was so much fun to figure out the Poe references throughout. I think every story, or at least just about, Poe ever wrote was referenced in some way.
And Verna. Isn't Verna just a phenomenal character? Carla, brilliant as ever, but this was my favourite role she's been in yet. Verna was equally disturbing and compassionate and so much fun all at the same time. I know it won't happen, but give me a spin-off about Verna.
And, finally, I loved Henry Thomas in this. I hated Freddie with every fibre of my being and I cheered Verna on for that one, but having seen Thomas in the other shows, I just thought he was so convincing in this role and it gave me a while new appreciation for him as an actor (not that I didn't appreciate him before).
A brilliant breakdown! Thank you for sharing your Honest Review!
I liked the series, I felt it was gorgeous to watch and the actors were imo all great. The problem with Madeline I think is that she was such a big presence in the past and then was kind of just on the sidelines in the future. I think this may have been on purpose because she didn't have any children to kill off. Loved Carla Gugino she is always a delight, also really loved Lenore she was so funny and gutsy and every thing I wished I had been when I was a teen, her death was the worst one for me all that lost potential. What got me about it is that even if Roderick thought the deal was a dream or hallucination that he went out and had so many kids, all I could think of was that he was a massive turd of a human. I think that this was good but it was no hill house. After Hill House I felt something where as even though you get all of this good after the fall I felt nothing.
A great breakdown Nineveha!
I think Madeline WANTED to be "on the sidelines" in the present. She was happy to be COO and do her work on AI, while letting Roderick be the face of the corporation.
Put your finger on it.
I legit teared up at Lenore's death.
I think Flannagan respects the audience enough not to make horror so in your face. He trusts that the audience is smart enough to get it and appreciate it. It's intellectual horror. It doesn't leave your brain immediately. Jump scares are blunt. They are meant to literally scare you and that's it. The feeling goes away in seconds. Flannagan makes you think about the horror and takes you there without holding your hand, and by the time you process it your reaction is literally "holy fuck!". This show was an amazing adaptation of Poe, and a modernized version of it. I lost my mind when I saw what Usher's text were about. Nevermore. Nevermore... holly crap what I freaking way of bringing everything together!!!
Agreed...jump scares leave an impression immediately, Flanagan leaves impressions that can last
Intellectual horror? Where?! Hahaha
@@Marshall97531 if you have to ask then intellectuality skipped you.
@@carloscordero6695 no I genuinely want to know what you found intellectual here in the show with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer and depth of a puddle, this was an embarrassment to Poe’s work
@@Marshall97531 I spoke generally of Flannagan's material. Not just this show. If you didn't think it represented Poe's work then we will be here all day arguing about it.
I liked it lots, but I didn't feel much for the characters. They are a family and there was barely any grief from the group. In Flanagan's previous work you deeply felt the loss, here not so much.
Personally put that down to the shades of selfishness and egotism within each of the Ushers, but can absolutely understand that it didn't feel quite right for them to not be more phased by events
That was because the children were from different mothers.
They probably thought "great, one heir less to split the fortune with".
Maybe not Leo, I think he actually felt some grief
This wasn't the same kind of family dynamic my any means though as the others
The main thing I've been left wondering.... did i miss something with the Madeline hair/bangs situation? 😂 Why did she randomly remove her bangs in one of the later episodes? Why did she wear fake bangs? Im so confused. I thought it was a wig the whole time and something was to be revealed about her hair but I just do not get it!
Same! I didn't understand why it was revealed that she was wearing a wig.
Yeah that was confusing. She removed her wig only to reveal the exact same hair underneath.
@@barbaraladouceur6305 It was a hair piece (for fullness, height, and bangs/fringe), not a wig. It seemed she was wearing big hair (like the 80s hair and shoulder pads) to project power. And in the moment when she realized that everything was crumbling, she had no power to stop it, and she was alone, she took away one of her outward shows of power (that full, big hair) to acknowledge just how powerless she was feeling.
Even I felt the older madeline was lukewarm. Then I realised that the actress has botoxed her face into a coma and no matter how much her voice emotes, her face falls flat and the audience doesn’t feel a thing. Just like her face.
Totally agree! She was a brilliant actrese back in Battlestar galactica. But right now she just stood there with the same face in every different scene. Looks terrbile unfırtunatelly
This right here! Her face didn't move, therefore didn't convey any emotion!
Agreed-though it would be totally plausible for an Uber rich woman to have filler and Botox to the max, it really was distracting for her character to have hardly any facial movements.
I couldn't stop watching this the past few days, absolutely loved it all from poe references to the how interesting each character was it felt like a connected anthology show that was connected by the Usher name and Verna.
As a deeply devout of the works of Edgar Allan Poe, this series was a love poem to me... and my favourite episode was also The Tell-Tale heart.
Michael Trucco's performance is incredibly underrated in this series.
He's not a super well known actor but people probably recognize him from tv series/tv films and other work from Flanigan.
Fantastic series imo. And totally agree with you about that particular noise from the Tell-Tale Heart episode. I'm actually getting wound up again just thinking about it.
I was just so happy to see that Cask of Amontillado got a nod in there. That’s easily my all time favorite Poe story that sadly doesn’t get much recognition, even though in my book it’s easily one of the most terrifying things ever written.
Carla Gugino brought all of the fire. She his incredible in every scene.
Carla deserves all the awards for this. She was excellent and the show incredible. Flanagan is a genius
Verna-Raven, you're welcome
I'm surprised because I couldn't even get through the first episode. I thought the acting was atrocious- now, I didn't get to Carla G.'s scenes, but from reviews I've seen, she's the best part of the whole series
I think the acting is good they were all really good in the other shows he did.the story however to me is REALLY boring and I. Having a hard time getting through this first episode. But I'm trying to hold out people are saying how it gets better I'm very convinced it won't but meh might as well see
The Goldbug is my favourite cause Tammy seems the most tense of all the siblings with her identity and her death scene was the most visually and symbolically beautiful.
Also, I loved The Black Cat. I do wish they hadn't used a Thor hammer, that kind of ruined the mood. But watching his descent into madness was terrifying. That final scene where it showed an empty bathtub meant it was all in his head even all the scratches. Absolutely chilling.
Disagree about Thor's hammer. Thor's main arc is always about being good enough to wield the power he has from his family, with the hammer being the symbol of that power. But Leo's arc is about him wielding his family's power, a power he's never been worthy of it. None of them ever have been. And by wielding a power he's not worthy of, he destroys himself.
@@aprilchardy1 adding to this, it really fits Leo’s character too, he claims he’s self made, yet what he uses to ensure his own dead is a pop culture reference. He doesn’t own a hammer or a crowbar or anything he could really use to make anything, but the one thing he has to destroy his walls searching for that cat is a pop culture reference. He dies swinging a hammer that he is ultimately unworthy of, and something not even related to him or his family but he can slap his name on because he owns it.
I kind of assumed when they showed him on the ground with the cat walking by him wearing the collar to mean that the cat was never dead to begin with. Am I reading to much into that?
My favourite subtle Poe reference is that each of the characters are represented by a colour. Those colours are the colours of the rooms in the original Masque of the Red Death. Just masterful
Loved the way they used Poe’s works, the quotes etc. I about fell out of the chair when Carla talked about her client to whom she said he’d be able to shoot someone one 5th Avenue with no consequences. And the photos through the years of her and he clients ~ brilliant. Loved it
I'm glad your talked about the contrast between you get and older Madeline. I noticed it too but never could quit figure it out until you mentioned it. The only thing I can think of to justify it is I felt like she knew 100% who Verna was when they met her and knew what she said was truth where Roderick just thought it was a drug induced hallucination. Madeline spent the rest of her life humbled looking over her shoulder for Verna where Roderick grew in confidence. You could almost see the shift in younger Madeline's face and stature when she said she wasn't going to have kids and Verna said it was both of them or neither of them. Almost like Madeline gave up at that moment.
Also, when Madeline and Rod were originally propositioned with the offer from Verna, Roderick was quick to take the offer, when madeleine was slightly more reluctant. Even though she said it was initially a “great offer” (or something to that nature). She didn’t accept right away, it was Roderick who did first AND without hesitation. Perhaps then was indicative he was more like Madeleine than we initially thought.
@@leaguephysique3838 Yeah. It was quite shocking to see how quickly he accepted the offer when he already had two kids! (F* them kids! LOL!) Then he goes on to have even more. Madeline, even in that moment when they didn't quite believe Verna, still hesitated to make the deal. Up until that point we thought she was more ruthless than Rodrick, but it turned out he was the one willing to sacrifice all the people he was supposed to love and care for-- while people who admitted they were ruthless, Madeline and Pym, made sure that they didn't bring people they loved into their evil world (no lovers, spouses or kids).
Have to agree, this was a pretty great series. I really felt like the coalescing of so many of Poe's works into one story was inspired; not only was it an innovative exploration of Poe's world, it was an innovation in the idea of adaptation which is so tiredly confined to single, familiar stories. In less steady hands than Flanagan's, this would have easily been a disaster.
As I was watching it, I couldn't help but laugh at the sheer number of reused actors from his other works. If you're a fan of Flanagan's, this is cast is such a who's who from his movies/series, a very enjoyable reunion/fusion of his favorites. But I really do respect him in that regard. For him to showcase these same actors so often, with many of them being far from mainstream, and getting such great performances from them repeatedly really speaks to his competency on set and the loyalty that his process inspires. He really is one of the greatest "actor's directors" working today. I'll definitely be rewatching this.
So glad I didn't watch any previews or any reviews of this show. Just went in blind, started yesterday, finished today. would have last night but 4am rolled around and I needed to sleep lol. This show was amazing
Agree with you almost entirely. I also had a feeling the the older Madeleine wasn’t quite right. Re the dialogue heavy… yes but such dialogue. There is writing in there that I felt was at the top of the pile. Some of Roderick’s speeches like his explanation of what you actually do if life gives you lemons (and it’s not make lemonade) to be brilliant. Thanks for this video. Enjoyed it and it could have been much longer as far as I am
Concerned. Nice one.
It was a good time. Campy enough that you didn't have to take it too seriously, but serious enough that it didn't feel silly. Some of the soliloquys got a little long-winded, but that's the only issue I had with it.
What to do before making lemonade...epic
Best scene of the series on reflection imo
I really loved it! I missed some of the old cast like the previous season had... and there was also a Dente Infreno twist in it...
Question for anyone and everyone: Which death do you think, personally, made you feel the most and why? (Either made you feel impressed, scared, or interested. Or just made you feel alot of emotion) And also, if there was one character you think should of had a second chance, who was it? I really want to know peoples answers!
Henry Thomas’ death was horrifying! 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Thank you for the question Mari! I did get super invested in Tamerlane's downfall and death!
@@UnleashTheGhouls that's Intresting! Is there a reason why you got so invested in her character? And, are there any characters you believed deserved a second chance?
I was also very touched by Tammy’s death. I think I relate to the extremely harsh inner critic (destroying the mirrors etc) being projected out onto others. And how at the end of the day all she wanted was peace/sleep.
peryys was the most brutal i watched it twice and felt sick. i think leo had the most chance at redemption he just lowkey murdered a cat.
1. Hill House
2. Midnight Mass
3. Usher
4. Midnight Club
a huge gap
5. Bly Manor, which I don't really count as his because he wasn't involved with this series anyways, and it shows.
This series did a wonderful job tribute to Poe and ran with the recurring themes of addiction and mortality in his work. I thought the commentary on the opioid epidemic was also very thought provoking. Flanagan always uses horror to explore profound /serious issues.Favourite death had to be the Masque of Red Death
I agree with your take on Older Madeline vs Younger Mads. I like the idea from another commenter about her being almost a ghost, I just didn't get that from the character outside of the appearance and lack of presence. She just felt the least fleshed out in the present time. Perhaps that would be her natural trajectory, but the cutting back and forth made the difference more jarring than natural. It's a shame cause I love Mary McDonnell and she did great here. There was just a gap in character I'm not sure Flanagan successfully bridged.
Imagine if Madeleine was Death instead of Verna, we wouldn't have a compassionate one but a ruthless one if that's the case
Yea, I wish at least in the end Older Madeline at least had a monologue where she reveals her true feelings about her life and that she does feel a shell of herself since getting the money. The disconnect between older/younger was also very apparent to me as well.
Your analyses and breakdowns are amazing
I think Usher was Flanagan's masterpiece so far. The way he made accessible and expertly weaved his way through the works of Edgar Allen Poe was nothing short of brilliant!
The haunting series was great and midnight mass was enjoyable though I didn't enjoy Midnight Club
I would LOVE to see another mashup anthology series from Flanagan. Perhaps he could weave through the works of Lovecraft, or Anne Rice.
Either way, I'd love to see another series as well crafted as Fall of the House of Usher.
I looooved the unhinged frederick, giving Henry thomas room to let go and have fun. Hill House and Midnight Mass he was so subdued. And oh man, frank langella being fired was the best thing for this show. Greenwood absolutely killed it here
It is great. Right up there with Midnight Mass, for me.
I’m glad you also caught that Roderick Usher and Walter White (Heisenberg mode) have the same exact voice!!!
What really surprised me about this show is how excellent the sound quality is, I have a moderate budget, Dolby Atmos home theatre set up in my living room. I’ve watched lots of 4K movies and shows and don’t usually comment on sound but show has incredible sound stage and mixing.
That's an excellent observation!
Midnight mass is a masterpiece.
Yeah but I think Hill house was the best by Far , I say Midnight Mass was my second favorite, the fall of house Usher my third. With the rest being way down compared to these 3. In my humble opinion.
We appreciate how well you've articulated your insights on this. We will support you no matter what happens.
Absolutely love his content
Thank you so much Sophia!
Loved it. The skilled cast get to deliver Poe's gorgeous language & the stories are woven together brilliantly.
For me.. House of Usher had a bit too much of a contemporary aspect to it, that it spoiled the atmosphere somewhat. Cheap references like Netflix, or public figures, and contemporary colloquialisms date the production to right now, and just kind of feel a bit icky. The themes of the first three episodes also felt a bit out of the scope of Mike's universe. I know it's how things are now, but we really could do with less debauchery on our TVs. Netflix probably influenced the direction in that respect.. One of the best things about Hill House is that even in the flash forwards, it kept a certain patina, an essence. Some scenes in User just seemed too clinically sanitised of this grit and darkness, that is typically so well utilised in Mike's work.. Midnight Mass again, being set on the island, even though at present day, had a really distressed quality to the atmosphere.
I can see in House of Usher, a refinement in Mike's skills and eyes as a film maker and director. It's noticeable across all his work, there is a consistency and refinement in everything he does. However sometimes, for whatever reason, it doesn't result in a "better" end product.
For me personally, it's in the top three.. First to last: Hill House, Midnight Mass, House of Usher.
I’ve been recommending this to EVERYONE
Just finishing it up now. My god this is good. It gets a bit cartoonish with the pharma drama stuff at times but it's still a masterful piece of writing to get that script in line like Flanagan did.
And holy shit I love how they turned my man Henry Thomas into the Rock from Pain and Gain with an ever-increasing cocaine habit lol. That was so excellently acted. The whole thing was. Especially that Greasy Strangler-esque climax.
10/10 the man has done it again.
Carla Gugino and Bruce Greenwood should both receive Emmy nods for their performances. They earned it and then some! I’m glad Bruce replaced Frank Langella. Langella is a one-note actor for me. I loved the rest of the cast as well.
I loved what Rahul Kohli did with the character, but I felt Napoleon’s storyline was the weakest of all of them. It just didn’t have the oomph the other storylines did.
I don’t think Mary McDonnell was the problem with older Madeline. I think the writers hobbled her character by writing her weaker when she was older. Childhood Madeline, teen Madeline, and young adult Madeline were always in charge and in control. They wrote older Madeline as more of a side piece character to older Roderick and it weakened her.
I wish they had eliminated the Black Cat storyline and cast Rahul as Prospero instead. I liked Sauriyan Sapkota fine, but acting-wise he was the weakest link for me and to see Rahul in the Murders in the Rue Morgue storyline would have been perfect. Five heirs instead of six would have given them some more time to show Madeline working behind the scenes, maneuvering and manipulating Roderick and given Madeline her control back. Maybe they could have shown the scheming between Madeline & Pym behind the scenes with their plan to oust Roderick. This would also have given the scene where Madeline comes into the office surprised to see Roderick alive with Pym more meaning. Madeline’s frustration with Roderick just being a man in control of her life-something she repeatedly said she never wanted-would also have given their last scene together more strength as well, as Madeline bursts out of the basement and chokes Roderick to death in her anger and frustration at always having to be his second because she was a woman.
Overall, I really liked it a lot and can’t wait to see what Flanagan does next!
Madly in love with all the poems in the series. Copied them all down in my electric notebook 👍❤️
i had no idea this was based on Edgar Allen Poe. I'll definitely give it a shot.
I loved the series! There was no weak character and they all did a phenomenal job but Verna’s character as the Raven 👏👏👏👏
As a Poe fan my only question is what would Poe think of this 😊
I cannot believe that Frank Langella was cast to play Roderick because Roderick is twin to Madleine and Langella is more than old enough to be Mary McDonnell's father.
Honestly, and I'm not trying to be rude but I thought Frank had passed away, so yeah if they're supposed to be twins, this is much more realistic
I just liked that he put the cask of amontillado in there
Can't believe Bruce Greenwood was a replacement well into production... he absolutely inhabited the part. I could have sworn it was written for him
There are some great episodes. The Tell Tale Heart is absolutely the standout, with great performances. For me it's third on the list of the five Flanagan Netflix series. Haunting Of Hill House and Midnight Mass still stand atop the mountain, but it edges out Bly Manor, with Midnight Club a distant distant fifth.
Absolutely agree with you on Bruce Greenwood and Carl Lumbly’s performances. Yeah! Also found the older version of Madeleine quite off - key 👍❤️
I like The House of Yes, a version of the Usher story from the 90s.
Surely there should be some reference to Christopher Marlowe's Dr. Faustus? Although the twins do not trade their souls for eternal life in a pact with the Devil, they do trade their bloodline for temporary wealth and power in a pact with the (female) Devil. I thought the series to be brilliant, especially the main performances.
I completely agree I don't know what it was but younger Madeline was way more believable in that role . I don't want to be rude and talk about another woman's appearance but I think the actress playing older Madeline just had to much Botox done so her face is really stiff. But yeah the actress playing the younger Madeline was way better in my opinion also. But I really liked the lawyer I had no idea that was Mark Hamil.
The Pym character seemed strikingly similar to Mike from Breaking Bad & Better Call Saul.
I loved the show, not Flanagan's best imo (that's Hill House for me, no other show has had so many memorable moments).
Cinematography is always a big plus in any Flanagan production, and this was not the exception. I especially loved how each of the death scenes has one distinct dominant color (watch them again if you haven't noticed it! :D)
Another thing I love about these shows are the long-winded deep conversations (or monologues) where a character can talk for several minutes in an uninterrupted scene with no cuts, and you're completely sucked in (Such as Mr. Dudley in Hill House, Riley in Midnight Mass, and now Roderick and Madeline in House of Usher, just to name a few!)
This series was fantastic! As a lifelong Poe fan and a Flanagan devotee, it was tailor made for me. However “Midnight Mass” remains my favorite with this as a close second, followed (again closely) by Hill House. I completely agree about adult Madeline, there was something very off about her character/performance. I also agree that the “Tell-Tale Heart” death was by far the most intense, Which seemed unfair considering her character comes across as the least evil out of the family. I disagree about Pym, I thought the character was excellent. Especially the scene where he and Verna negotiate near the end. I wanted to add that I did NOT enjoy the character of Roderick’s new wife. I like the actress, she’s charming and fun to watch, but it felt like she was in over her head with this role. And there was absolutely ZERO chemistry between her and Roderick. It was almost uncomfortable.
I agree with the Madeline comment, I felt the same way, she went from being the mastermind to like a side character. I agree with the cat one being the weakest story but I disagree with the character development part, there is literally almost none! It’s awful people being awful and dying in awful ways. You didn’t have time to feel bad for lenore because she was rarely on screen. The gamer was the only usher (besides lenor) who you kind of feel bad for because he is the most normal
Something I noticed about the word Usher is it tells you what you need to know. Us/her or Us the Ushers vs Her Verna
fwiw I thought older Madeline was outstanding, a real scene stealer. She was chilling
Personally I love all the drama and talking with the horror elements ratcheting up the tension. I didnt care for a lot of the characters to be honest though. Dont get me wrong, the show was a blast, but where all the Flanagan shows up to this point have had me rooting for someone and being somewhat wholesome in their symbolism and messages, this one was kind of the opposite. I was happy watching all these psychopaths die. It felt like the only thing I knew about them was each of their weird sexual kinks...and i would have preferred a few more episodes to flesh them all out
Only got through 2 episodes but here's my honest review. Hot mess made out of some great short stories and the Sackler/Purdue Pharma story. Bruce Greenwood did a good job, as Roderick, a sad reflective character. Some other good characters but it didn't really work.
How can you say that when you've only seen 2 episodes? There are 8...
@@INCBlackbird --You're right it could have gotten good at some point but I couldn't bring myself to find out.
Funny, I loved Mark Hamill's character & seemed a slight play on Weisselberg and others like him. I thought it was a perfect representation of the role and played with a bit of levity, knowing there was a satirical angle to it.
Just love it. For me, the brilliant writing overall, and the monologues in particular, reign supreme particularly in their political and social commentary and critical analyses of power, privilege, violence and social conditioning. Rodrick’s lemon monologue; Madelene’s “they’re trained to want it and we give it to them” monologue (not to mention those about sex, gender, patriarchy and patriarchal/misogynist control); and Rodrick’s “it’s not addictive but…” response to Juno’s desire to stop taking Ligadone (sp?) stand out the most to me, but there are others. I want to watch the series again (a few times) of course, but all eight episodes are such a mindf*ck that I’ll probably take a few days off, lol
The Black cat, the Tell-tale heart and the raven scared me so much as a kid
Verna =Raven...figured that out in 10 seconds on the show and loved it
I had no expectations but man was it good
Does anyone remember that there was a computer game with the same name on the Apple II?
Loved it from beggining to end
Was I the only one confused why Madeline seemed to have picked up a sort of mid-Atlantic accent between the 70s and the present? I don't know if thats how Mary McDonald normally speaks, but it was just a little odd since younger Madeline doesn't have that cadence.
Carla and Bruce were great. Madline seemed mean and angry. Older Madline was more controlled. I agree that the black cat was the weakest. The Tell tale heart was just bloody. Was Carla Death or the Devil? Taking Old stories new life and commentary of the past and problems and social commentary now.
The black cat death was very lame....the club death was insane 😅
Lisa ann did such a great job. Everytime she spoke I was locked in.
It was engaging and fun. Definitely got too preachy towards the end for my taste.
I don't think she was death. I don't think she was the devil or a demon either. I'm not sure what she is, something new.
I didn't get who she was until it was said her name was an anagram...Verna, rearrange the letters and you get...raven.
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I didn't buy Roderick's murder of Griswold.
It felt like Flanagan had to shoehorn "Cask of Amontillado" into the film. It comes out of nowhere. Roderick kills his only corporate ally. He's too young and inexperienced to be taken seriously by the upper echelons of the corporation. If Griswold had attacked Madeline or if Roderick had overheard that Griswold was going to discard him... That would have been different. But as it was, he's risking a murder 1 charge on somone who is helping him. I didn't believe that part.
💯 percent agree with your review. The tell tale heart and The Raven was the strongest for me
I found it fairly tedious at times. It's ok.
This was my favorite series I’ve seen in all of 2023.
i loved the show, yes i agree with everything u said. brilliant review.
Thank you!
IMHO, Fantastic Show! 🎉
Overall I loved this one, some scenes were a little bit slow for me but it says a lot when the worst thing I can say was it got a liiiiiiiiiiittle boring
you could have removed all of the poe references throughout and still told the same story. I much would have preferred that. Everything felt hamfisted in there like fan service you see in all these marvel movies and remakes of stuff. I kept imagining some youtuber pointing out every little easter egg like it was the coolest thing theyve ever seen