by Daniel Andrade
Photo Courtesy of Netflix
As a horror enthusiast, I’ve always been intrigued by how television series have been able to elevate the genre and extend their thrills and chills past the traditional time frame of a film. From the first season of American Horror Story to Hannibal, some shows have proven that horror can not only succeed on TV but thrive and innovate as well. So when I started to hear a buzz around a Netflix show called The Haunting of Hill House, I knew I had to check it out. I ended up watching it with a friend and had a blast doing so. From the hidden ghosts scattered throughout the episodes to the excellent cinematography and phenomenal acting by its stellar cast, Hill House reminded me why I love horror so much. A great piece of horror will not only scare you, it will make you think and make you feel for not just the victims of the haunts, but the haunters as well. Hill House accomplished all these things and more and had me itching to see what else creator Mike Flanagan could do with the genre.
When the second season of what would now be Flanagan’s Haunting anthology series was announced, I eagerly researched everything I could about it and started counting down the days until its release. There was nothing in the world that could stop me from watching this season. As it got closer and closer to release, some early reviews came back with mixed results, with some saying it didn’t quite reach the bar that the first season had set. Even still, I knew I had to watch and make my own decision. So here it is: if you are a fan of alternative horror, you owe it to yourself to watch this show.
I will firstly admit what you’ve probably heard multiple times by this point: The Haunting of Bly Manor isn’t necessarily as jump-out-of-your-seat scary as its predecessor was. But it’s also not exactly what Flanagan had in store for this season either, being very careful to classify this season as more of a Gothic romance than a haunted house story, which makes sense once you remember that this season is a loose adaptation of Henry James’s classic The Turn of the Screw. That isn’t to say that there aren’t some terrifying and shocking moments in the season; I certainly gasped out loud and was shaken by certain scenes. But the true beauty of this season is how it deals with love, loss, guilt, and grief in a frightening yet captivating way. Once again, these weighty topics are handled expertly through a carefully constructed story surrounding some very compelling characters.
Photo Courtesy of Netflix
The first character we become familiar with is a familiar face: Carla Gugino. She acts as our narrator for this season and does an excellent job in her storytelling, Her voice is calm and measured, yet you can feel the sadness come through in crucial parts, which helps make the story feel that much more engaging. Another returning favorite is Victoria Pedretti, this time playing the main protagonist Dani, a nanny who has been tasked with caring for the newly orphaned siblings Flora (Amelie Bea Smith) and Miles (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth). Like in any good scary movie or show, these kids are excellent actors and provide some of the more unsettling scenes in the season, particularly Ainsworth, who is downright terrifying at times. As for Pedretti, she is also outstanding in her role, bringing a sweetness to her character that is counterbalanced by the sheer panic and paranoia that is also displayed. Henry Thomas returns as well, playing the mysterious Henry Wingrave this time around. Without giving too much away, I have to say I love the versatility that he is able to show off in this role, perfectly handling this multifaceted role. Finally, Oliver Jackson-Cohen is also back, playing the complex character of Peter, who will stop at nothing to reunite with the love of his life Rebecca Jessel (played with grace and poise by newcomer Tahirah Sharif). Of the other new additions to the cast, Rahul Kohli is delightful in his role as the charming and pun-filled Owen, adding some much-needed levity to what can often be an emotional rollercoaster of a story. He also has excellent chemistry with my favorite character Hannah Grose, played brilliantly by T’Nia Miller (the episode that focuses on her story is heartbreaking and a perfect encapsulation of what this season is trying to accomplish, and is easily one of my top three episodes of the season). While each of these characters is compelling to watch on their own, it’s the way they all interact so perfectly with each other that really solidifies this season for me. Each person plays an important piece in an overall larger story that made me laugh, cry, gasp, and tremble with anxiety.
In addition to the excellent acting, Flanagan and his team have once again crafted a gorgeous looking show. The cinematography is simpling stunning and will leave you in awe at the mysterious beauty of the mansion and its surrounding land, including the infamous lake. The Manor can be made to look both intimidatingly large and uncomfortably small, depending on the angles we are viewing it from. Similarly, in the bright light of day, it’s absolutely beautiful to look at, but in the dark of night, the shadows and eerie lighting give the house a much more ominous vibe. This is made especially clear when we see the flashback episode of the origins of the Manor, which also displays the incredible costume work on the show, with gorgeously lavish dresses and gowns making the Willoughby sisters stand out in a crowd. When I was not on the edge of my seat with tension, I was thoroughly enjoying taking in the sights and sounds that Bly Manor had to offer.
CONCLUSION: The Haunting of Bly Manor is a captivating and chilling Gothic romance that shows how truly terrifying love can be since it can lead to devastating loss, unbearable grief, and haunting guilt. Bolstered by an excellent cast, breathtaking cinematography, and an emotional story that will take you on multiple twists and turns, Bly Manor is a horror show unlike anything you’ve ever seen before, which makes me love and respect it that much more.
FINAL SCORE: 5/5
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