Uncovering the Brilliance of Mike Flanagan's Rising Star in 'The Fall of the House of Usher'

The Big Picture

Willa Fitzgerald gives a standout performance as the stoic and calculating Madeline Usher, establishing herself as the true puppet master behind the Usher dynasty.

Fitzgerald's depiction of Madeline Usher in the 1970s reflects the influence of societal misogyny, resulting in a multifaceted and captivating portrayal of a determined woman.

Fitzgerald's portrayal of the young Madeline demonstrates her exceptional talent for expressing emotions through her eyes, giving rise to a mesmerizing and enigmatic character. She would be a valuable addition to Flanagan's esteemed cast of actors.

Writer-director Mike Flanagan's latest series, The Fall of the House of Usher, features a star-studded ensemble cast from his previous projects like Carla Gugino, Rahul Kohli, and Samantha Sloyan, among others. Joining the familiar faces are new additions Mark Hamill, Mary McDonnell, and Willa Fitzgerald, who delivers an exceptional performance as young Madeline Usher. As the series progresses, the focus narrows down to Roderick and Madeline, the remaining Usher siblings whose past and present storylines intertwine. Fitzgerald portrays the stoic and cunning Madeline flawlessly, revealing her as the true mastermind behind the Usher dynasty.

The Fall of the House of Usher

Release Date October 12, 2023Cast Carla Gugino, Willa Fitzgerald, Mary McDonnell, Kate SiegelMain Genre HorrorRating TV-MASeasons 1Studio NetflixCreator Mike Flanagan

Madeline Usher Is Another Strong-Willed Female Character From Mike Flanagan

Madeline and her brother Roderick (played by Zach Gilford) are the illegitimate offspring of the previous CEO of Fortunato Pharmaceuticals. As adults, they manipulate their way back into the company, convinced that it is their rightful inheritance as the only descendants. Madeline's plan is for Roderick to climb the corporate ladder at Fortunato, ultimately allowing them to seize control from CEO Rufus Griswold (played by Michael Trucco). However, their scheme encounters a hurdle when Auguste Dupin (played by Malcolm Goodwin) approaches them with evidence of Fortunato's deceit and falsified documents. Despite this setback, Madeline and Roderick manage to strike a deal with Verna (played by Carla Gugino) after killing Griswold on a decisive New Year's Eve in 1980. This agreement sets in motion their hostile takeover of the company.

Madeline Usher, as portrayed by Fitzgerald, exists within the confines of 1970s American society. Despite her education and strong-willed nature, she faces the challenge of being taken seriously due to the prevalent misogyny of the era. Fitzgerald's portrayal of Madeline reflects her no-nonsense attitude, which contrasts with Roderick's wife, Annabel Lee (played by Katie Parker), who embodies the traditional role of a domesticated woman. Flanagan has consistently crafted intricate female characters in both leading and supporting roles, and Fitzgerald's depiction of a young Madeline adds depth to one of the most captivating characters in "The Fall of the House of Usher."

Willa Fitzgerald Is No Stranger to the Horror Genre

Image Via Netflix

Fitzgerald already had prior experience in the horror genre before her role in The Fall of the House of Usher. She starred as Emma Duval in the first two seasons of MTV's Scream, which was a slasher anthology based on Wes Craven's film series of the same name. However, in The Fall of the House of Usher, Fitzgerald's character, Madeline Usher, is not the typical final girl. Instead, she is portrayed as a skilled manipulator. Ambitious, aloof, and unapologetic about her disdain for men, Madeline sets the tone for the personalities of the Usher heirs. Her strong-willed and career-driven nieces are heavily influenced by her character. Madeline has no desire to be a wife or mother, and the presence of queer characters in the story, including her New Year's kiss with Verna, suggests that she may not be interested in men at all.

In Fitzgerald's portrayal of young Madeline, her expression is often unreadable, and she carries herself with an air of superiority, always seeming a step ahead of those around her. With her poker face as her default, Fitzgerald relies on her eyes to convey Madeline's emotions. Whether it's disgust at the romantic affection between Roderick and Annabel Lee, or her curiosity and attraction towards Verna, her eyes reveal Madeline's doubts, suspicions, and desires. Behind a facade of detachment, she becomes the most captivating character in the 1970s timeline.

Madeline's character also serves as a foil to that of Roderick's wife, Annabel Lee. Annabel Lee is seen by Madeline as naive and lacking a greater purpose in life beyond marriage and motherhood. Their relationship is strained, with Annabel Lee expressing her strong dislike for her sister-in-law. Madeline, who strongly opposes bowing to the whims of men, looks down on Annabel Lee's limited perspective and sees her influence over Roderick as an obstacle to their success. Fitzgerald's portrayal of the stoic Madeline sharply contrasts with Parker's portrayal of the gentle Annabel Lee, highlighting the conflict Roderick experiences between his wife and sister. In addition to Madeline's conversations with Roderick and Annabel Lee at the kitchen table, Fitzgerald shines in her tense confrontation with Rufus Griswold and her intriguing conversation with Verna on New Year's Eve.

Willa Fitzgerald Should Return to the Mike Flanagan Universe

Image via Netflix

Flanagan's decision to introduce fresh faces to the Flanaverse in The Fall of the House of Usher has proven to be a wise move. Among the established regulars, Fitzgerald's standout performance showcases her talent and solidifies her rightful place in Flanagan's ever-expanding roster of actors. While Roderick's character is portrayed in a more subdued manner by Gilford, it is Fitzgerald who truly takes the spotlight and proves her worth. The inclusion of new actors like Fitzgerald in Flanagan's productions has undeniably paid off, refreshing the familiar Flanaverse in the most exquisite way.

Fitzgerald appeared in three movies in 2023, namely Desperation Road, Strange Darling, and Ethan Hawke's Flannery O'Connor biopic Wildcat, alongside The Fall of the House of Usher. However, she is not part of the cast for Flanagan's upcoming film The Life of Chuck. Nevertheless, her exceptional performance in The Fall of the House of Usher may pave the way for her involvement in future projects, such as Prime Video's The Dark Tower. Stream The Fall of the House of Usher on Netflix.

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