By Karthikeya Gautam
In the genre of entertainment that is horror, masterpieces have regularly decorated the screens. One has learned to love what one is scared of among the screams and jumps, truly appreciating the beautiful cinematography accompanying such screen gems. With the likes of “The Exorcist” and “The Shining” has set the bar high for modern movies and TV shows to compete with, it is not wrong to that a piece of entertainment at par with that is seldom to drop. However, this was proven wrong in October 2018, when the new Netflix web series, “The Haunting of Hill House” graced our screens and provided us with a commendable and truly amazing storyline, screenplay, and characters.
The non-linear storyline follows the Crain children and their experiences at Hill House, a mansion where the family moves in order to renovate it and eventually sell it off. Once grown up, a tragedy brings them all together, tying them once again to their past at Hill House. There is a constant interplay between the past and present lives of the five Crain children, depicted by flashbacks to their time at Hill House. This approach to the story is done so smoothly and intricately that not once is any plot hole created, nor any detail missed. However, this may prove to be too much to keep up with for audiences simply looking for a scare and can get confusing if attention wavers. Attention to detail is also crucial, with it being a series requiring multiple watches to truly grasp.
The story in itself is extremely well written, and this is what sets it apart from most modern-day horror films or TV shows. The show does not simply rely on jump scares or heavy music to set the mood of gloom and decay that is embodied by the Hill House but actually draws the audience into the lives of the Crains. The characters are multilayered, complex, and undergo a separate character arc throughout the show. No character is just there to be killed off or fill in gaps – they all have a purpose, individuality, and uniqueness to themselves. This makes the show even scarier, as putting a central character in danger instils the feeling of danger within the viewer as well.
The 10 episodes would keep viewers hooked without a doubt. With brilliant acting performances, smooth storyline, haunting cinematography, and above all the perfect choice given that Halloween is right around the corner, “The Haunting of Hill House” is an apt choice for anyone looking for a series to stick to.
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