Mike Flanagan's Latest Horror Show Unveils the Controversial Twist Absent in the 2022 Netflix Series

Summary

Mike Flanagan's upcoming series, "The Fall of the House of Usher," will bring back his trademark monologues, allowing for deep introspection and character development.

Flanagan's earlier productions, including "The Haunting of Hill House" and "Midnight Mass," effectively combined dread and optimism by delving into the concepts of community and accountability, all while delivering intense frights. Though some may argue that Flanagan's soliloquies are excessively lengthy, they play an essential role in his deliberate and contemplative approach to horror, enabling powerful character development and a more profound examination of underlying themes.

The Fall Of The House Of Usher appears to offer a more intense and humorous experience compared to previous works by Mike Flanagan. Nevertheless, the Netflix series will still incorporate one of the writer/director's trademark motifs. Over the years, Flanagan has established a distinct and recognizable style as one of the leading horror filmmakers in Hollywood. While his earlier films such as Oculus, Hush, and Gerald's Game were fast-paced, unforgiving, and often bleak, Flanagan's Netflix shows have delved into themes of family, community, and faith. Despite the challenge of blending these elements with the horror genre, Flanagan has skillfully managed to strike a delicate balance between fear and hope.

Both The Haunting of Hill House and Midnight Mass are not merely vehicles for jump scares; they also serve as thoughtful examinations of the importance of community and personal responsibility. This is primarily accomplished through extended scenes that allow the characters to discuss life's profound questions, offering insight into even the most minor supporting actors who only make brief appearances. By providing the opportunity for Flanagan's characters to pour out their emotions, the series creates a sense of authenticity and humanity, often leading viewers to sympathize with flawed individuals who may have been one-dimensional villains in other shows.

The Fall Of The House Of Usher Will Bring Back Flanagan's Trademark Monologues

However, not all of Flanagan's projects have featured as much monologuing as The Haunting of Hill House or Midnight Mass. The Midnight Club, a '90s horror anthology throwback released in October 2021, was based on Christopher Pike's young adult novel of the same name. Although the show still had plenty of pathos, as it revolved around terminally ill teens sharing scary stories during their final days, The Midnight Club had fewer monologues compared to Flanagan's previous shows. This decision was fitting because the characters in The Midnight Club spoke like real-life teenagers and didn't require lengthy speeches to explore deep themes.

However, in his upcoming project, The Fall Of The House Of Usher (set for release in 2023), Flanagan is expected to revisit this beloved trope. Loosely inspired by Edgar Allan Poe's story of the same name, The Fall Of The House Of Usher will showcase a more mature storyline that deviates from the YA horror sub-genre. Consequently, it would be logical for Flanagan to reintroduce his signature long monologues for the characters in this show. According to the show's synopsis, The Fall Of The House Of Usher will delve into the tale of a corrupt pharmaceutical company CEO whose children are systematically eliminated, providing an ideal backdrop for substantial introspection.

Why The Midnight Club Didn't Feature Long Monologues

Flanagan explained to Empire that he chose not to include extensive soliloquies in The Midnight Club because he wanted to consider the younger audience's attention span. The vibrant aesthetic of The Fall of the House of Usher has already proven that the series will offer an exciting experience, as Flanagan promised a thrilling, gruesome, and humorous miniseries influenced by Giallo. However, this doesn't mean that the show cannot also showcase the introspective side of Flanagan's writing, especially when it centers around a morally ambiguous character.

The tragedy of The Midnight Club lay in the premature deaths of its young, lovable protagonists. Thus, it made thematic sense for the characters to share lively and imaginative tales rather than delve into weighty monologues about morality and mortality. In contrast, Midnight Mass and The Haunting of Hill House featured imperfect characters burdened by regrets but who aspired to live better lives, justifying the shows' extensive discussions and soliloquies. Although The Fall of the House of Usher will undoubtedly maintain the dark humor of Poe's writing, the show's summary still aligns with Flanagan's signature style.

Why Flanagan's Monologues Are Divisive (Despite Being So Incredible)

Flanagan's monologues in his shows often showcase outstanding character work and writing, giving actors the opportunity to shine. The influence of Stephen King-inspired storylines in Midnight Mass and the poignant addiction metaphor in The Haunting of Hill House can be observed in The Bear, a recent drama series that employs the same powerful monologue technique. However, some have criticized Flanagan's speeches for being excessively lengthy, suggesting that they diminish the tension in the shows.

Nonetheless, this criticism does not withstand close examination, as Flanagan's shows are not intended to be fast-paced thrill rides. The reason his movies contain fewer monologues is because their shorter runtime limits the possibility for extensive character development that would justify a lengthy speech. In contrast, Flanagan's shows embrace a slower, more introspective approach to horror, where the monologues align with the overall pacing of the series. Consequently, reviving Mike Flanagan's affinity for soliloquies in The Fall of the House of Usher would be a positive move.