Netflix has released a new horror series called The Fall of the House of Usher, which is inspired by the works of Edgar Allan Poe, the master of Gothic fiction. The series, which debuted on October 12, 2023, consists of eight episodes that adapt some of Poe’s most famous stories, such as The Masque of the Red Death, The Pit and the Pendulum, The Raven, and of course, The Fall of the House of Usher.
The series follows Roderick Usher (Bruce Greenwood), the CEO of a pharmaceutical company called Fortunato, who invites a lawyer named C. Auguste Dupin (Carl Lumbly) to his mansion to confess his sins and reveal the truth behind the deaths of his six children. Each episode explores a different aspect of Usher’s family history and his involvement in various crimes and tragedies, while also incorporating elements from Poe’s stories.
The series is created by Mike Flanagan, who is known for his previous Netflix horror hits such as The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor, and Midnight Mass. Flanagan is a fan of Poe and has said that he wanted to pay homage to his influence on the horror genre. He has also assembled a cast of familiar faces from his previous projects, such as Carla Gugino, Henry Thomas, Kate Siegel, Rahul Kohli, and Annabeth Gish.
The Fall of the House of Usher has received positive reviews from critics and audiences alike, who have praised its production values, performances, and storytelling. The series has been described as a “gleefully terrifying” take on Poe’s stories that blends family drama, corporate greed, and supernatural horror. Some have also compared it to Succession, the HBO drama about a dysfunctional media dynasty.
The series is not a faithful adaptation of Poe’s stories, but rather a creative reinterpretation that uses them as a framework to explore contemporary themes and issues. Flanagan has said that he wanted to make the series relevant to today’s world and address topics such as the opioid crisis, medical ethics, environmental degradation, and social justice.
The Fall of the House of Usher is streaming on Netflix now. If you are looking for a binge-worthy horror series that will keep you on the edge of your seat and make you appreciate Poe’s genius, you should definitely check it out.
Sources:
The Fall of the House of Usher review – a gleefully terrifying take on Edgar Allan Poe
The Fall of the House of Usher movie review (2023)
Mike Flanagan on Adapting Edgar Allan Poe for Netflix’s ‘The Fall of the House of Usher’