The Haunting of Hill House

Since "a ghost can be a memory", as one character says, this series is 100% ghostly. It's also such a throwback to the good horror days, with characters who, while not always shying away from cliché, were able to work it so cleverly that no one minded. I have to admire Mike Flanagan for the great, honestly old-fashioned atmosphere he was able to create, and for the way he tells it at the same time. The story is cleverly constructed, each episode and scene another stroke for the overall picture, the characters are perfectly written and acted to a tee – I couldn't help but think of Six Feet Under. And then there are the ghosts... the ghosts... they are definitely ghosts! The bowler-hatted long man quickly ranked among the best I've ever seen, not to mention the lady with the bent neck (brilliantly punctuated in episode five). The way they appear beautifully defies everything we've been served in horror films of recent years – no cheap boo and noise, just a chilling revelation of something that's suddenly there... and deal with it. I was really pleased with everything, and since Flanagan made it clear, especially in the final episodes, that he was very fond of Kubrick's The Shining, I'm convinced that Doctor Sleep is in good hands. (04.11.2019)

I'm glad that the second series does not continue with what the first was doing and that it comes up with a new story, with a new headquarters and also a new atmosphere that this time is not 100% horror and ghosts, but at the same time is no less cryptic or suspenseful. Great characters, a great script that gradually reveals everything necessary, and certain direction (possibly supervision of directing) by Mike Flanagan, who works admirably well with mysteries of all kinds. (11.10.2020)