The Fall of the House of Usher: Ranking the Characters by Popularity

Mike Flanagan returns with his latest chilling film, an Edgar Allen Poe adaptation titled The Fall of the House of Usher. Following the immense success of his previous projects, including Haunting of Hill House, Haunting of Bly Manor, and Midnight Mass, Flanagan brings together his beloved actors for a thrilling and intricate story of morality and consequences.

At the center of the narrative is Roderick Usher (played by Bruce Greenwood and Zack Gilford), the powerful head of the affluent Usher family and the CEO of Fortunato, a controversial pharmaceutical corporation facing legal troubles. As his children mysteriously and gruesomely meet their demise one by one, Roderick, along with his sister Madeline (portrayed by Mary McDonell and Willa Fitzgerald), must confront the consequences of their past choices. Within this sprawling ensemble, audiences will find themselves both enamored and repulsed by the multitude of characters.

13. Frederick Usher

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Beginning with the eldest, we have Frederick Usher, the heir to the Usher empire portrayed by Henry Thomas. Initially, Frederick appears to be a caring husband and father, albeit somewhat distant from his extended family. However, as circumstances worsen, so does Frederick. Despite being regarded as the "favorite," he struggles to meet his father's high expectations.

Any semblance of likability Frederick might have possessed diminishes when his temper emerges. He becomes enraged by his wife's actions and commits unspeakable acts to maintain control over her. Succumbing to a heavy reliance on drugs, Frederick gradually unravels until it is too late. This Usher will not be fondly remembered.

11. Prospero Usher

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As the youngest member of the family, Prospero Usher (played by Sauriyan Sapkota) is depicted in the film as constantly searching for a business opportunity that would impress his father and earn his approval. He is portrayed as naive and somewhat bothersome to the rest of the family. Perry, as he prefers to be called, often appears spoiled and rude towards those around him.

Perry meets his demise early on in the show, and his death is the most horrifying, as he and the other partygoers are showered in acid. While we may not have had sufficient time to fully understand Perry's character, what we did observe was his youthful ignorance and arrogance. Nevertheless, he does earn extra points for frequently teasing and provoking Frederick.

10. Victorine LaFourcade

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Victorine LaFourcade (played by T'Nia Miller) is the third-oldest Usher sibling who is deeply involved in a groundbreaking cardiac treatment with her partner, a skilled surgeon. She shares a bond with Roderick, who also seeks this innovative therapy. Her drive stems from her desire to be valuable in her father's eyes while avoiding any disappointment.

It becomes evident that Victorine's methods for her experiments are highly questionable, yet she reaches a point of no return. It proves challenging to sympathize with a character who lacks self-awareness and empathy, especially as she continues her pursuits despite accidentally causing her partner's demise. Nevertheless, observing her journey is undeniably captivating.

9. Tamerlane Usher

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Moving on to the Gwyneth Paltrow imitator, we have Tamerlane Usher (played by Samantha Sloyan). In many respects, Tamerlane appears to have it all figured out. She exudes confidence in both herself and her brand, leveraging her husband as a marketing tool for her innovative lifestyle product. Despite the mounting deaths around her, Tamerlane remains laser-focused on successfully launching her new venture.

Once again, she strives to meet and even surpass her father's expectations, seeking to rebuild the tarnished Usher name through a fresh business endeavor. Tamerlane, however, proves to be a complex character who is challenging to connect with or feel sympathy for, ultimately diminishing her likability. Nonetheless, Tamerlane's journey is undeniably captivating to witness.

8. Arthur Pym

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Arthur Pym, portrayed by Mark Hamill, is the go-to person in any given situation. Known as the 'Pym Reaper' and serving as Roderick Usher's trusted aide, Pym fulfills the role of legal representation. He skillfully intervenes in crime scenes, manipulates evidence, and ensures that any damaging information about the Usher family is hidden away. Pym possesses an air of power and intrigue that only adds to his enigmatic nature.

Mark Hamill's remarkable portrayal of Pym lends to his likeability, effectively capturing the character's corruption and enigma. Pym enters the storyline when the other characters are in dire need, exhibiting a willingness to fulfill any task that is requested of him. He proves to be a captivating figure to explore onscreen, despite concealing his own dark secrets and committing atrocities.

7. Napoleon Usher

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Napoleon Usher, portrayed by Rahul Kohli, is arguably the most flawed member of the Usher family. With a penchant for dishonesty, cheating, and involvement in drug dealing, he falls short of being the ideal boyfriend. Despite his undesirable traits, "Leo" Usher leads a fulfilled life as a game developer and possesses an aversion towards cats.

Surprisingly, Leo manages to captivate fans of the show with his likable sense of humor and peculiar behavior. This can be attributed to Rahul Kohli's exceptional acting, which effectively draws viewers into Leo's unsettling and dark storyline. Although concealed beneath the surface, Leo does possess a compassionate side, albeit deeply buried within him.

6. Roderick Usher

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The central character of the story is Roderick Usher, who establishes a powerful empire based on a supposedly non-addictive drug. However, this drug actually leads to countless issues and deaths. Despite his deal with Verna, in which his children would also perish in exchange for a life of wealth and freedom, Roderick continues to have more offspring.

Roderick emerges as the story's ultimate antagonist, which engenders a mix of adoration and disdain among fans. He skillfully deceives those around him, including the audience, into believing that he possesses a compassionate nature, although there are doubts about this. Through his charm, he convinces everyone that his sole objective is to alleviate suffering. Despite the deception, his character is appreciated due to his intricate and multi-dimensional nature.

5. Auguste Dupin

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Auguste Dupin (played by Carl Lumbly) struggled to do what was right. Betrayed by Roderick years ago, Dupin was determined to bring justice against Fortunato Pharmaceuticals. This scene takes place in court, where he seeks accountability from both Roderick and the company for their harmful actions.

Dupin embodies the archetype of a heroic figure, fighting against injustices and seeking to restore balance. His moral compass sets him apart and makes him easily likable, even when he becomes entangled in the Usher family curse. It is gratifying to see Dupin ultimately triumph and walk away, leaving it all behind as he reunites with his husband and family, knowing he gave his all.

4. Camille L'Espanaye

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Kate Siegel continues to astound fans with her remarkable acting skills, displaying an impressive range that now includes portraying narcissistic wealthy women adept at concealing scandals. Among her siblings, Camille L'Espanaye stands out for her spoiled and privileged demeanor, which she effortlessly exudes. Truly, Siegel's portrayal of Camille is both amusing and captivating, undoubtedly making her one of the most intriguing characters to watch.

Despite her untrustworthy nature, Camille justifies her actions, even when faced with her own demise. In fact, she relentlessly uncovers evidence of Victorine's unethical medical experiments on monkeys, fully prepared to expose it to the world. Without a doubt, having Camille around during a crisis is invaluable.

3. Verna

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Everyone adores a villain, particularly a shape-shifting demon who metes out justice for the Usher family's heinous acts. Simply put, she was fulfilling her end of the deal. Verna, an anagram for Raven (an allusion to Edgar Allen Poe), assumes the role of the harbinger of death, as per the agreement struck with Roderick and Madeline.

In the end, she cannot truly be deemed a villain; that label belongs to Roderick, who continued to have children despite the understanding that they would perish. Cara Gugino's captivating portrayal of Verna in the ongoing Flanagan project astounded viewers, skillfully juggling brutality and mercy. She brings the inevitable consequences. Fans simply cannot resist adoring her.

2. Lenore Usher

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Lenore Usher, played brilliantly by Kyliegh Curran, emerges as the true hero in The Fall of the House of Usher. Unlike her father Frederick and the rest of her relatives, Lenore possesses a rare combination of compassion, selflessness, and determination. Roderick even compares her to his first wife, Annabel Lee, emphasizing her extraordinary qualities.

Being the complete opposite of her family members, Lenore's actions carry significant weight. She courageously defies Pym by providing a statement to the authorities in an attempt to save her mother. Lenore's intelligence, caution, and noble intentions shine through in her efforts. The pain caused by her tragic death is profound, and even Verna demonstrates mercy by granting her a swift and painless passing.

1. Madeline Usher

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Madeline Usher, the twin sister of Roderick, constantly displayed an exceptional level of alertness. From a young age, she assumed the responsibility of overseeing her brother and guiding him towards the most favorable outcomes. As the deaths commenced, Madeline emerged as the formidable force within the family, while Roderick lagged behind.

Madeline possesses a remarkable intellect, enabling her to manipulate and dominate both people and situations. Moreover, she possesses a profound self-awareness. Despite enduring the family's cruelty, she remains shrewd and merciless. Additionally, Madeline made a conscious decision to refrain from having children after her encounter with Verna. Undoubtedly, Madeline Usher exemplified true royalty.