Mike Flanagan Strikes Horror Gold Again with Netflix's New Show

Summary

"The Fall of the House of Usher" is a departure from Mike Flanagan's typical horror drama style, but it still borrows a story element from his previous series.

"The Fall of the House of Usher" trailer offers a vibrant and humor-filled satire that presents a fresh perspective on Flanagan's artistic style. In this new series, the depiction of doppelgängers is expected to carry a lighter, less emotionally intense tone in contrast to Flanagan's previous utilization of this literary device.

While The Fall of the House of Usher appears to deviate considerably from Mike Flanagan's usual style, it does incorporate a story element from his recent show. Flanagan has established a recognizable style through his highly acclaimed Netflix series, such as The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor, Midnight Mass, and The Midnight Club. He has become synonymous with a specific blend of horror and drama, featuring dysfunctional relationships, supernatural elements symbolizing trauma, and thought-provoking monologues on life, death, science, faith, and other profound themes.

Therefore, it is surprising to discover that Netflix's The Fall of the House of Usher will be a vibrant and broadly comedic satire. Flanagan himself had warned viewers that this project would differ significantly from his previous work, drawing inspiration from Giallo and showcasing a combination of humor and bloodshed. The trailer for The Fall of the House of Usher reveals its campiness, but it also unveils Flanagan's implementation of an effective storytelling technique that proved hauntingly creepy and emotionally impactful in his previous successful series.

The Fall Of The House Of Usher Revisits The Midnight Club’s Best Story

The trailer for The Fall of the House of Usher suggests that Samantha Sloyan's character will encounter an evil double, as she witnesses an unsettling version of herself leaving her room with a smirk. While Flanagan previously explored the concept of twins in The Haunting of Hill House's subplot "The Twin Thing," it was The Midnight Club that first delved into the use of creepy doppelgängers as a horror convention. In season 1, episode 2 of The Midnight Club, titled "The Two Danas," a tragic and darkly comedic story unfolded, involving a ballerina who divided her soul between two bodies, leading to a painful outcome.

Within the context of The Midnight Club episode, this story serves as a metaphor for how the protagonist's pursuit of perfection and double life led to addiction and devastating consequences. However, despite this underlying sadness, the episode still managed to deliver bleakly funny shocks and moments of gasp-inducing gore. As Flanagan's adaptations of Stephen King's works have shown, the director has a talent for striking the right balance between gruesome scenes, character-driven drama, and moments of comedy relief. "The Two Danas" exemplified this skillful juggling act. That being said, the portrayal of doppelgängers in The Fall of the House of Usher is expected to have a distinct and unique feel.

How Fall Of The House Of Usher’s Tone Changes This Mike Flanagan Story

The director's characters in both stories may explore the theme of duality, but The Fall of the House of Usher appears to approach their struggles with less seriousness and sympathy compared to The Midnight Club. The Midnight Club focuses on a deeply empathetic group of terminally ill teenagers, creating a strong connection with the audience. On the other hand, The Fall of the House of Usher follows an immensely wealthy family who gained their riches through illegal means. This narrative adopts a lighter and more humorous tone, making it potentially the funniest project by Mike Flanagan. As a result, its doppelgänger episode is unlikely to have the same devastating impact.